I’m becoming my friend’s boss — do things have to change? by Alison Green on April 6, 2021 A reader writes: My boss is leaving and I’m about to be promoted into her position, managing our team. I’m very excited about it and confident I’ll be able to do the job well, except that I’m not sure what it will mean for my friendship with one of my coworkers. Currently “Casey” and I […] Read the full article →
my career hit a dead end when we moved to a small town by Alison Green on March 11, 2021 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: I feel that I have reached a dead-end professionally and could really use some advice. I used to be the breadwinner for my family. I had a compliance role in the legal department of a Fortune 500 investment company. I loved my job and was […] Read the full article →
how do I talk to my husband about his poor work ethic and bad attitude? by Alison Green on February 11, 2021 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: My question is regarding my husband’s transition from a manufacturing job to a more corporate environment. My husband (“Jim”) worked on the line in a factory setting for many years. Just over two years ago, he accepted a new job related to his previous field, […] Read the full article →
I’m furious that my boss refused to interview my partner by Alison Green on February 1, 2021 A reader writes: My company encourages candidate referrals. I referred my domestic partner to a full-time, permanent position on my team. There wouldn’t be a conflict of interest since i would not be his supervisor. We would have the same supervisor. His skills and experience were a great match and he was contacted by a […] Read the full article →
my dad is giving me weird and sexist career advice by Alison Green on November 16, 2020 A reader writes: I am a woman working in the predominantly male industry of commercial real estate. I have experienced some sexism at work, but nothing I can’t handle on my own. What I do have trouble handling is the sexism that comes from my parents, specifically my dad. I’ve been working in commercial real […] Read the full article →
my partner freaks out over any background noise when working from home by Alison Green on October 12, 2020 A reader writes: My partner works in tech. He recently became a consultant after working for companies of various sizes, and he’s used to busy open offices, etc. The problem is, he’s derailed by any disturbances. If, for instance, our dog barks at the postman during a meeting, I come home to rants about how […] Read the full article →
when should I tell my friend I applied for a job she wants? by Alison Green on September 15, 2020 A reader writes: I made a very unlikely friend at work about four years ago — a coworker who got a job instead of me. She and I have similar responsibilities but in different parts of the organization. We bonded over the work we have in common and have gotten very close. Over the years, […] Read the full article →
job candidate’s suspicious husband photographed me before her interview by Alison Green on August 26, 2020 A reader writes: I had a strange experience yesterday, and I think I need some perspective. I am a C-level department head. Recently, I volunteered to go temporarily to another location (very far from my home) that experienced a sudden and unforeseen leadership vacancy. Since I have no intention of staying here, I told senior […] Read the full article →
my friend is a terrible employee — should I tell her what I really think or just give her sympathy? by Alison Green on July 16, 2020 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: I have a friend who I have never worked with. I want to start by saying she’s an amazing friend: supportive, smart, funny, kind, all the qualities you want in a friend … but I suspect she is a terrible employee. We are professionals in […] Read the full article →
my well-meaning family keeps sending me terrible job leads by Alison Green on June 25, 2020 A reader writes: Because of the COVID-19 crisis, my job has temporarily furloughed me, and I’m not sure when (if?) it will ever come back to its normal capacity. So, I’ve been job hunting (actually, I was doing this even before the coronavirus crisis, but that’s another letter), and told my parents and sister that […] Read the full article →