ask the readers

Looking for crowdsourced wisdom? Here are reader discussions about life at work.

when office potlucks go wrong

As we’re getting closer to the season of office potlucks and other meals with coworkers, let’s discuss the many ways in which they can go wrong — from alarming cuisine to the person who takes way more than their share and never contributes. To kick us off, some stories from years past: ♦ “I used […]

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my colleagues treat me like a kid and think I’m younger than I am

It’s the Thursday “ask the readers.” A reader writes: I’m a 30-year-old woman working in an overwhelmingly male-dominated industry as a technician in a specialized area. I’ve been doing this work since my early 20’s and I know I’m good at my job … consistent promotions, positive feedback, solid accomplishments, etc. In general both coworkers […]

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my dysfunctional company will give me a free day off every week if I stay several more years

It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: I work for a small, successful, very dysfunctional business. My manager, “April,” is a quick-thinking but naive 30-year-old who is clearly enmeshed in a codependent relationship with the 60-year-old owner, “John,” who loves traveling. She shares an office with him and frequently travels with him. […]

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how do you network in the era of Covid?

It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: I live in an area with a lot of rules around the pandemic still — masks are mandated for indoor public spaces, many orgs are (wisely) still offering many things online, universities and such are mandating students and staff be vaccinated to come on campus/ […]

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