can I go braless as a medical accommodation? by Alison Green on October 10, 2022 A reader writes: You’ve written about how, rightly or wrongly, most employers still expect employees with obvious breasts to wear bras (or at least not to make it obvious that they’re not wearing one). My question is, could going braless — or getting an exemption to the dress code more generally — ever be a […] Read the full article →
do you have to be paid if your office is closed because of a hurricane? by Alison Green on September 29, 2022 I’m getting a lot of questions because of Hurricane Ian about whether you have to be paid if your office closes because of the storm. Here’s a quick run-down. If you’re a non-exempt employee (eligible for overtime): If your office closes because of the storm and thus you don’t work on those days, your employer […] Read the full article →
my boss only wants to hire attractive young women by Alison Green on September 20, 2022 Announcement: At 2 pm ET today, it’s part of 2 of last month’s speed round! Last month’s speed round had 700+ questions submitted, so this time I’ll be answering some of the questions I didn’t get to in round 1. Follow along live on the home page later today. A reader writes: My boss, Todd, […] Read the full article →
my boss removed me from a work trip because I’m a woman by Alison Green on May 23, 2022 A reader writes: I work for a government organization that is a subset of county government. In this organization, very rarely, employees may be sent on trips to pick up items that cannot be mailed. These trips vary from one hour to eight hours round trip. Last week, my department had one of these trips, […] Read the full article →
my employer gives extra perks to thin people by Alison Green on May 11, 2022 A reader writes: I’ve just learned that my new employer gives extra perks to people who meet certain health metrics. BMI is one of the health metrics they use to determine if you receive the extra perks. Everyone gets a certain level of discount on the company’s products. But if you meet a certain level […] Read the full article →
I’m a member of The Satanic Temple and got outed at work by Alison Green on May 3, 2022 A reader writes: I’m a member of The Satanic Temple. That information got out at work and now things are unpleasant and awkward. I became a passionate patients’ rights advocate when a family member almost died after they were denied emergency medical treatment on religious grounds. The unexpected delay in care almost cost my family […] Read the full article →
I got in trouble for talking to my coworker about how much money I make by Alison Green on April 20, 2022 A reader writes: Recently, I was given feedback from my manager stating they had concerns with confidentiality and discretion when it came to my work. They said it had been brought to their attention that I had shared what my salary was with a team member. My manager did not share who it was, for […] Read the full article →
my new boss ran his own background check on me by Alison Green on March 23, 2022 A reader writes: I have worked in my department in a large organization for 17 years. A coworker was promoted to be my boss. I suffer from PTSD, depression, and anxiety, and while having a high-stress day, I was called to his office. I just needed a half day to take a timeout and speak […] Read the full article →
my employees got into a religious argument and now things are in chaos by Alison Green on November 16, 2021 A reader writes: I have a situation regarding a argument regarding spiritual/religious beliefs in my office. I’m a team lead and oversee 10 people. I have two employees, Fred and George, who are the office jokesters. Both are liberal practicing Muslims. Another employee, Harry, is a practicing Wiccan. Recently there was a situation where Fred […] Read the full article →
my VP of HR says my service dog is too small by Alison Green on November 15, 2021 A reader writes: I work for a small-ish company (80) people. I have epilepsy and I have a seizure alert dog. She can detect when I am about to have a seizure, which helps me get somewhere safe (she’s alerted when I’m on the stairs so I know to sit down immediately, or if I’m […] Read the full article →