how to answer when a job candidate asks, “how did I do?” by Alison Green on January 18, 2023 A reader writes: Lately at the end of interviews, I’ve had people asking me how they did in the interview. Everyone who has asked me this question hasn’t done very well. I think it’s a really awkward question that puts the interviewer on the spot. What’s your take? What’s the best way to respond to […] Read the full article →
how much social media use at work is too much? by Alison Green on January 12, 2023 A reader writes: How much personal social media use at work is too much? I’m fine with my staff taking five-minute Facebook breaks a couple of times throughout the day, but I’m afraid I have a few that are pushing the boundaries of acceptable use. I know I have at least one employee actively tweeting […] Read the full article →
my toxic former employee is poisoning my staff by Alison Green on January 11, 2023 A reader writes: For the last 10 years, I’ve been the head of a community-based organization. My assistant director, along with at least a third of the employees, pre-dated my employment there. “Bob” didn’t seem to want my job himself, but the head of operations warned me about him, saying he was was a snake […] Read the full article →
10 impressive questions to ask in a job interview by Alison Green on January 10, 2023 It’s the question you’re likely to be asked at the end of every job interview: “What questions do you have for me?” As someone who’s interviewed probably thousands of job candidates in my career, I’m always taken aback by how many people don’t have questions about the job at all. After all, you’re considering spending […] Read the full article →
my employee doesn’t want to come to work when it snows by Alison Green on January 5, 2023 A reader writes: Last year one of my employees had attendance problems related to various stressors involving family members, illness, car trouble, winter weather, etc. Some of these stressors were quite significant; others were the sort of thing most of us would power through and handle after our workday was over. His frequent, last-minute absences […] Read the full article →
I don’t have enough work for my employees by Alison Green on January 4, 2023 A reader writes: I am the owner of a small business with a small team of three under me. Our work is seasonal, with a very busy period for seven months of the year and little to do for the other five. During the quiet period, I feel a huge amount of stress to create […] Read the full article →
2022 posts by Alison Green on January 2, 2023 Return to main archives January February March April May June July August September October November December December 2022 weekend open thread – Dec. 31, 2022 – Jan. 1, 2023 open thread – December 30-31, 2022 my boss asked me to do her kid’s homework, written up for spitting, and more updates: my coworkers complained I’m […] Read the full article →
should you lay someone off right before Christmas? by Alison Green on December 15, 2022 A reader writes: I have a very part-time admin worker who has been with us for about six months. We are a small company with a tight budget. Unfortunately, the last few months have been rough and I need to make some cuts. I have been struggling with getting this employee up-to-speed and it seems […] Read the full article →
“I will confront you by Wednesday of this week” by Alison Green on December 13, 2022 There will be more posts than usual this week, so keep checking back throughout the day. Several years ago, a reader shared with us this epic email that was sent by their company’s boss after a holiday party gone terribly awry, and as we enter the holiday season we remember its glory. “This happened about […] Read the full article →
should I ask a staff member why he’s not going to our holiday dinner? by Alison Green on December 13, 2022 A reader writes: I need your help on a tricky holiday party situation. I recently sent out invitations to our 20-person staff for a three-course holiday dinner. I first verbally surveyed our staff to make sure the restaurant choice wasn’t going to exclude anyone. I received much excitement and no negativity. Now that RSVP’s are […] Read the full article →