I can’t recommend the colleague who listed me as a reference by Alison Green on September 10, 2024 A reader writes: One of my coworkers was laid off two weeks ago. She was an easy choice because her work and attitude weren’t great. Her office was next to mine so we’d have friendly conversations every day and I got along with her, but she yelled at her team constantly and wasn’t available to […] Read the full article →
do we have to accommodate a dieting employee? by Alison Green on September 9, 2024 A reader writes: I know that we need to accommodate employees with dietary restrictions due to health or religious needs, but what about employees who choose to go on diets? I have a colleague, Collette, who has been willingly doing a Keto diet for the last year, and she still is insufferable about it. Anytime […] Read the full article →
my anxious employee wants daily reassurance by Alison Green on September 5, 2024 A reader writes: I manage a small team, including one employee who joined us somewhat recently. This is her first time doing the kind of work that we do, and training from afar isn’t ideal (we work remotely), but she’s learning and progressing well. I give her positive feedback on her work, along with corrections […] Read the full article →
how to answer “tell me about yourself” when the interviewer has my resume right in front of them by Alison Green on September 3, 2024 A reader writes: I had a bad interview which made me realize I needed to work on my interviewing skills. The interviewer asked me the classic “Tell me about yourself,” but then noted that she had a copy of my resume in front of her so no need to walk her through every step of […] Read the full article →
can I tell my intern she laughs too much? by Alison Green on August 28, 2024 A reader writes: I manage an intern who tends to respond with short bursts of laughter at incongruous times, like when I am explaining something to her or when I am giving her directions (and I’m not trying to be funny!). It can be pretty jarring. I noticed it during her interview, but chalked it […] Read the full article →
my employee cc’s me on too many emails by Alison Green on August 26, 2024 A reader writes: I’m a director of a busy company. I receive upward of 1,000 emails a day, with 75% of them for awareness only but necessary nonetheless. I have a report who manages a team of nine, all remotely. He copies me on everything — from meeting response notifications to emails to his employees […] Read the full article →
I joked about a coworker’s slowness … and he overheard by Alison Green on August 21, 2024 A reader writes: I am the manager of a small group. I sometimes work with non-management staff outside my group, one of whom is an exceedingly capable, but idiosyncratic, person, “Karl.” He is very focused and will go far above and beyond to make sure that everything is clear, organized, and exactly right. This is […] Read the full article →
you can’t escape the office diet police by Alison Green on August 19, 2024 We all know the office diet police: the people who say, “Don’t you know that’s terrible for you?” as if you’d chosen Flamin’ Hot Cheetos for their nutritional value … “Oh, I see we’re being naughty today!” as you eat a slice of cake … and, if you choose something heathy, “Ugh, another salad—you need […] Read the full article →
how to respond to a volatile rejected job applicant by Alison Green on August 14, 2024 A reader writes: I have a question regarding job applicants who, after being interviewed and rejected more than once, apply over and over again. I have one applicant who has been interviewed twice, rejected twice, and keeps sending new applications. The first time she was interviewed was two years ago by our recruitment coordinator, and […] Read the full article →
my employee keeps commenting on my looks by Alison Green on August 13, 2024 A reader writes: How can I best respond to an employee of mine about his frequent inappropriate comments about my body and looks? I’m worried about inadvertently devolving into “you think I’m hot” territory or drawing even more attention to my body, which makes me very, very uncomfortable. Some recent comments/actions include “You’re bringing sexy […] Read the full article →