ask the readers

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

is it crazy to quit my job to go freelance in 2021?

It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: I am considering leaving my job to build my own business as a freelancer (copywriting / digital content marketing). I’m not ready to quit just yet, but I plan to start building up my savings account and take on more side projects and sign up […]

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tell us your stories of triumphing over work jerks

Earlier this week a commenter shared this magnificent story: My first job out of college was a sales job with a very overbearing, bullying boss (he made at least one guy cry while I was there). I am a pretty deadpan guy, especially when I’m nervous, and my boss had a huge personality and wanted […]

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how do I adjust to working 8 hours a day?

It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: I’m currently a college student interning with a firm for the summer and doing office work for the first time in my life. I am a good student, entering my third year this fall, but I’m really struggling with work. I am working a normal Mon-Friday […]

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how can I look more polished at work?

It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: While I’m currently working from home, I’m thinking forward to returning to the office soonish. I work in a business casual office (slightly more towards the casual side). I understand what counts as professional dress, but the polished and appearing-office-proper part of going to the […]

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should I leave my job if I don’t have to work for money?

It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: I work a job I’m overall “meh” about. There are lots of good things: it’s a prestigious company with fantastic pay and benefits, I’m now doing really well (just promoted), and, on some days, I like or even really like it. That said, it’s definitely […]

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would you quit over your employer’s work-from-home policy?

Would you leave your job over its work-from-home policies? If you’ve been remote, would you consider leaving if your office required you to return? Or the opposite — if you’ve disliked working from home, would you consider leaving if that became permanent? There’s a narrative building in the media that we’re in a moment of […]

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