how to respond to “jokes” about age and weight at work by Alison Green on August 12, 2024 A reader writes: I’m a manager with several supervisors under me. A supervisor was “teased” by one team member for being overweight and by a different one for being “old.” Prior to these comments, the supervisor had told me that she’s watching what she eats and is trying to lose weight. She’s about my age […] Read the full article →
my employee doesn’t read her email by Alison Green on August 7, 2024 A reader writes: I supervise a manager who is in most respects a great manager. She does an excellent job of coaching her team, but she has difficulty getting to all her emails in a timely manner. We’ve talked several times about the need to delegate and to review all emails within 24 hours, and […] Read the full article →
my employee doesn’t have what it takes to do the job he wants by Alison Green on August 5, 2024 A reader writes: I’m in a tricky spot with a long-time employee, “Bob,” and I need advice on how to deliver a potentially devastating piece of feedback: “You just don’t have what it takes to succeed in this role.” Bob is interested in growing from his current position into a more senior role. He has […] Read the full article →
my employee texts me late at night by Alison Green on July 30, 2024 A reader writes: One of my employees texts me at 10:45 pm. I’m wondering how I can firmly but fairly lay down boundaries and let her know it’s not okay or respectful of my free time to message so late. I answer this question — and three others — over at Inc. today, where I’m […] Read the full article →
summer internship season is upon us by Alison Green on July 29, 2024 With summer internship season in full swing, your workplace may be experiencing an influx of young people who don’t quite know how work works yet. This is often delightful! Interns can bring new ideas, fresh energy, and an ability to explain what brat summer is. But part of hosting interns is accepting that they often […] Read the full article →
my employee is monitoring other people’s work by Alison Green on July 24, 2024 A reader writes: We are a semi-remote team that uses a project management system to keep our workflow organized and distribute assignments. One of my employees, Jane, feels it is necessary to look at everyone’s work on this system and comment on it. She also uses it as a tool to fuel her immense paranoia […] Read the full article →
how to tell coworkers, “that’s not my job” by Alison Green on July 22, 2024 A reader writes: I have been employed with my agency for five years. Six months ago, I was promoted, but no one was hired to take over my old job. Some duties have remained with me and others were transferred to other people, primarily a great support person named Robin. We has communicated with the […] Read the full article →
I’m about to manage someone who thinks we’re good friends, but we can’t be by Alison Green on July 16, 2024 A reader writes: I have accepted a management role in a new team my company has set up. My coworker also applied for the role (unbeknownst to me at the time). She was not offered the job, but was offered one of the team roles so now I will be her manager. I found this […] Read the full article →
my office has a sticker chart for our feelings by Alison Green on July 15, 2024 A reader writes: I work in an office of a large company. The work my team does is often stressful, so sometimes staff morale suffers. The managers of my team have created a feelings chart that has giant emoji representing various levels of being happy, stressed, and angry. There are stickers of all our names […] Read the full article →
it’s the last day for a massive discount on the Ask a Manager job-hunting guide by Alison Green on July 12, 2024 It’s the final 24 hours of the annual sale on the Ask a Manager job-hunting bible, How to Get a Job: Secrets of a Hiring Manager! This is your last chance this year to get a massive 40% discount off the regular $24.95 price. Use this discount code: newjob This e-book gives you step-by-step […] Read the full article →