the controversial calculator, the highlighter war, and other drama over office supplies by Alison Green on October 6, 2021 Last week, we talked about drama over office supplies … and good lord did you deliver. Here are 20 of my favorite stories people shared. 1. The purple pens “I briefly was the Supply Order person, and learned REALLY fast how passionate people are about specifics, often color. We were new and had a small […] Read the full article →
let’s talk about drama over office supplies by Alison Green on September 30, 2021 One of my favorite types of office drama is drama over really small things — like the 18-month coffee debate or people who get really territorial about office supplies. Some of what we’ve heard about the latter over the years: “I have to order three different kinds of paper towels because people prefer certain ones […] Read the full article →
how do I not feel jealous of my wealthier coworkers? by Alison Green on September 23, 2021 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: I grew up in deep poverty with an extremely dysfunctional and abusive set of parents. It was not the “money and food were tight sometimes, but we always had love” kind of poverty. I ultimately aged out of the system when I was 18 and […] Read the full article →
how do I manage an unmanageable workload? by Alison Green on September 16, 2021 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: I work in Big 4 Accounting, in tax. This industry is notorious for long hours during busy season and lack of work/life balance. My firm has flexibility, good benefits, and nice people; so, despite the hours, I’m reasonably happy. While I dream of taking a […] Read the full article →
how can I ease the transition back to working from the office? by Alison Green on September 9, 2021 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: As many offices start to bring employees back, what do you recommend employees do to ease the transition back into the office? Both for themselves and their colleagues? I miss the office, but I’ve gotten really settled into my 100% telework life and I know […] Read the full article →
the intern who set up a cot and other stories of internships gone wrong by Alison Green on September 8, 2021 With summer internships ending, here are 10 of the most intriguing intern stories that readers have shared in the past. But first, for the record, most interns are great! But when things go wrong, they tend to really go wrong. Read these with nostalgia for what it’s like to be new to the work world. […] Read the full article →
how do I transition from a corporate job to non-office work? by Alison Green on September 2, 2021 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers.” This week we’ve got two questions on similar themes. Letter 1 I am a young woman in my mid-20’s who by most accounts has followed the path to success. I graduated with a dual degree in less than four years, I got a steady job in my intended industry […] Read the full article →
dealing with customers who are angry that we require masks and proof of vaccination by Alison Green on August 26, 2021 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers.” A reader writes: I work for a medium/large-sized performing arts organization. My org has been completely shuttered for what will be almost 20 months by the time we (fingers crossed) do our first performances in the fall. Needless to say, the pandemic has been pretty devastating for our entire […] Read the full article →
the confetti, the playwright, and other stories of revenge on jerks at work by Alison Green on August 23, 2021 Recently I asked you to share stories of times when you triumphed over a jerk at work. Here are 11 more of my favorites (part 1 was last week). 1. The revenge “I work in engineering, and I had a program manager Todd who had risen through the ranks on his ‘business savvy,’ which turned […] Read the full article →
the sick call with sound effects, the cheesecake, and other stories of triumphs over jerks at work by Alison Green on August 19, 2021 Last week we had the agony of mortification, and this week we have the ecstasy of triumph! I asked you to share stories of times when you triumphed over a jerk at work, and here are 11 of my favorites. There were so many good stories that a part 2 is coming next week! 1. […] Read the full article →