my coworker has started faking a British accent by Alison Green on July 3, 2023 I’m off today, so here’s an older post from the archives. This was originally published in 2018. A reader writes: So this question is … more just truly bizarre than anything. But recently, a coworker of mine has decided she is now British and has been regularly slipping into a thick British accent — very […] Read the full article →
how can I avoid talking shop outside of work? by Alison Green on June 28, 2023 A reader writes: I have a colleague who I am sharing a few really challenging, long-term projects with. They’re great to work with and we’re getting a lot done. The only problem is that we live in the same part of town and frequently bump into each other on the way in — which in […] Read the full article →
how to ask for a raise (because you need to) by Alison Green on June 27, 2023 I’m regularly dismayed by how many people — particularly women — tell me they’ve gone their entire careers without ever asking for a raise. They haven’t done it because they feel awkward bringing it up, or aren’t sure how to find an opening to do it, or because they’re afraid they’ll sound greedy or like […] Read the full article →
how can I get better at spotting talent in people different than me? by Alison Green on June 26, 2023 A reader writes: I like to think I’m pretty good at judging technical abilities, but I’m wondering if I’m actually only looking for the cues that people like me (male/western culture) show. If so, I’m wondering how I can get better. Here’s the situation that makes me wonder: At a recent technical conference, we gave […] Read the full article →
my coworker keeps asking me for personal favors by Alison Green on June 21, 2023 A reader writes: I need some advice regarding a colleague who is becoming very needy and dependent on me, and is making me uncomfortable. She constantly asks me for personal favors, while I have never asked her for anything. Let me list out the things she’s asked of me, and the stuff I have done […] Read the full article →
the outraged notes littering offices everywhere by Alison Green on June 19, 2023 If there’s one thing I’ve learned from over a decade of writing a workplace advice column, it’s that people will do anything to avoid having an awkward conversation with their colleagues. Sometimes that means that they don’t bring up important topics at all, instead just letting problems go unaddressed while their frustration festers. Other times, […] Read the full article →
a consultant complains about our meetings … but doesn’t want to skip them by Alison Green on June 14, 2023 A reader writes: I have a team with locations throughout the U.S., both in office and remote, comprised of full-time associates and contractors. Because we need to be very collaborative, we have off-sites everyone is expected to attend and participate in, live, in person. In a typical day of an off-site, there will be meetings […] Read the full article →
what subjects are off-limits for work chat? by Alison Green on June 12, 2023 A reader writes: I was recently part of a conversation about things that should never ever be discussed at work. People listed politics, religion, personal lives, alternate health, and money/health troubles. I don’t know if I can fully agree all of these must be fully checked at the door. Making sure one is mindful of […] Read the full article →
employee keeps pushing for a promotion we’ve already said we can’t give him by Alison Green on June 7, 2023 A reader writes: I have a direct report who is regularly (every three to six months over the past 18 months) asking to be promoted to a position he has created for himself. While there is merit in his idea, the company simply does not want to move forward with this position at this time […] Read the full article →
employee gave me a scathing letter when he resigned by Alison Green on June 6, 2023 A reader writes: For the last three years, I have been running a consulting company which grew off the back of a long career in my industry. Last September, I hired an account manager to free up my time for business development. He is new to my industry but has relevant experience in another field […] Read the full article →