working parents with little kids: how can your coworkers help you? by Alison Green on February 3, 2022 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. Thanks for posting the letter from the overwhelmed mom last week. It obviously got a lot of traction. And it’s great that there were plenty of folks in the comments who are not in the same boat (no kids, older kids, etc.) expressing “silent solidarity” or sympathy or […] Read the full article →
it feels impossible to be a working mom with little kids by Alison Green on January 27, 2022 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: My question is rooted in an issue I think a lot of working moms with kids under five must be facing right now. I have two small children, one who is just barely two and a four-year-old. Since Covid started when I was on a […] Read the full article →
how can I advocate for workers’ rights when I’m the customer? by Alison Green on January 20, 2022 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: My sister and I are members of a community pool/gym that is run under the umbrella of a larger nonprofit. The greater organization serves people with disabilities, but membership to the gym is open to the entire community. Both my sister and I have varying […] Read the full article →
my coworker tried to film her pregnancy announcement and now there is chaos by Alison Green on January 13, 2022 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: So this is an enragingly dumb breach of basic manners and I need to know I’m not crazy. I’m technically in an executive role but I don’t have authority over people, just finances, but I was told I should have “acted like a better manager” […] Read the full article →
are employers really so eager to hire right now? by Alison Green on January 6, 2022 We keep hearing that employers are desperate, can’t find good workers, and jobs are going unfilled … so if you’re currently job-searching, how does that match up with your own experience? Based on my mail, lots of people are still getting ignored by employers … or offered laughably low salaries … or seeing ads requiring […] Read the full article →
the ancient fruitcake, the murder mystery lunch, and other times holidays at work went wrong by Alison Green on December 23, 2021 Earlier this month, I asked readers to share your funniest office holiday party stories and funniest office gift debacles. Here are 15 of my favorites. 1. The statue Was invited to my boss’s house for an employee holiday party. This small business was owned by a married couple who were also landlords, so they were […] Read the full article →
office holiday gift-giving stories: worst gifts and weirdest gifts by Alison Green on December 16, 2021 In the spirit of the season, let’s hear about workplace gift debacles. Did a game of Secret Santa end in tears? Did a coworker throw a tantrum when she didn’t win a raffle? Did your boss try to give you Hanukkah balls? Was your gift a sheet of tips on how to treat varicose veins? These […] Read the full article →
what’s your company doing for the holidays this year? by Alison Green on December 9, 2021 What’s your company doing about the holidays this year? Last year, many employers simply canceled holiday celebrations because of the pandemic, while others devised creative ways to celebrate — like virtual cocktail tastings and drive-in movies. This year, some parties seem back on, while others aren’t. What’s your office planning for this year? Read the full article →
share your funniest office holiday stories by Alison Green on December 2, 2021 We have once again entered the season of forced workplace merriment, holiday party disasters, and other seasonal delights! Thus it is time to hear about your office holiday debacles, past or current. Did you pass out naked in the break room? Did your manager provide you with a three-page document of “party procedures”? Did a drunk Santa […] Read the full article →
the determined thief, the cranberry usurper, and other work potlucks gone wrong by Alison Green on November 24, 2021 As Americans prepare for a ton of eating this week, here are 10 of my favorite stories you shared about potlucks and other food gatherings at work earlier this month. 1. The banana bread “I managed a department of about 15 people. One lady was extremely proud (and vocal) regarding her banana bread (this was […] Read the full article →