I think my employee is being maliciously compliant by Alison Green on August 1, 2023 A reader writes: I manage a team of about 20 part-time employees. We work in a creative field, but my department is strictly customer service oriented. I like to think I’m a fine manager; my employees like and respect me and they make for a kind and wonderful team. But I have one employee, Eric, […] Read the full article →
my employee is pregnant but hasn’t said anything by Alison Green on July 27, 2023 A reader writes: I recently found out through the grapevine (social media) that an employee is pregnant and expecting later this year. However, she hasn’t said anything to me or management (but she’s known for at least a few weeks). How should I proceed? I answer this question — and three others — over at […] Read the full article →
I’m worried my team will fall apart if I take maternity leave by Alison Green on July 26, 2023 A reader writes: I’ve been offered a promotion to lead my department, but I have also been trying to start a family with my husband for one year (with many failed attempts, loss, and much heartbreak). My company is aware of my plans but still wanted me for the position. However, if I get pregnant […] Read the full article →
how do I recover after an employee took advantage of my trust? by Alison Green on July 25, 2023 A reader writes: I manage a small team of remote, non-exempt employees. One of them, Jane, recently resigned, right before being put on a formal improvement plan for performance issues. On her last day told the rest of the team how she was able to take care of personal matters (e.g. attend happy hours, nail […] Read the full article →
is it OK for my employee to do needlepoint in meetings? by Alison Green on July 19, 2023 A reader writes: I manage an engineer, Jane, who is doing an excellent job during the first six months in her new role on my team. Two weeks ago, I joined her for a technical meeting. As I walked into the conference room, she was working on a needlepoint project. I’ll admit I was initially […] Read the full article →
my employee is job-searching — should I tell my manager? by Alison Green on July 19, 2023 A reader writes: I was transferred to a new team a few months ago, along with a colleague who now reports to me, and given responsibility for the company’s capybara program (obviously, a fake name for anonymity). The team we’re now part of is great and supportive; our manager is great and has our backs. […] Read the full article →
is it OK to call out sick on a business trip if you’re just really tired? by Alison Green on July 17, 2023 A reader writes: I manage a small team of software developers based in the London office of a small-to-medium company with offices in multiple countries. The workplace norms in each of our offices are very different, with different levels of PTO and differing expectations in company culture. I work very closely with a team over […] Read the full article →
my employee pressures coworkers for rides everywhere by Alison Green on July 11, 2023 A reader writes: Your recent post about an intern who wanted rides to work made me think perhaps you might have some insight into my present situation. Unlike similar posts I’ve seen, it’s not the chauffeurs who are asking about the situation, but the manager (me) who sees someone taking horrible advantage of coworkers. I […] Read the full article →
my coworker quit as soon as I became his boss by Alison Green on July 10, 2023 A reader writes: Soon after I started in my current job, “Bob” joined our team in a similar role as me. He was noticeably very anxious and insecure, and he struggled with getting the basics down. The job includes giving feedback on others’ work, and I noticed that I kept having to ask him to […] Read the full article →
my assistant is using my title on LinkedIn by Alison Green on July 5, 2023 A reader writes: When updating my LinkedIn profile today, I noticed that my assistant has himself listed in my position and has since February of this year (while the position was vacant). Because I’m new to this company, I don’t want to rock the boat or make him think I consider myself to be “better” […] Read the full article →