Ask a Manager

It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Should you cite sources on a resume? I’m in a required class for my university this semester about “learning to communicate in the workplace and the classroom.” (This is a university aimed at working adults. I’m in my 30s with a full-time job and a […]

It’s four answers to four questions. Here we go… 1. Employee won’t do part of his job I work for a small gym franchise as a manager. Our model is 24-hour access for our members. The staff is not there 24 hours. Because of complaints we are receiving, I have asked all personal trainers to […]

It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Should I tell candidates that two employees they’ll be managing are dating? An organization I’m involved with is hiring their next executive director. There are two key long-time employees who are dating (there are fewer than 10 full-time employees total). When new people join the […]

It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Can my husband hang out in my office at night until I’m ready to leave? I am a woman in my early thirties. If I am going to stay late at night at work, would it be possible to bring my husband to stay somewhere […]

It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My employer wants us to “volunteer” for groundskeeping and cleaning I work in a faculty position at a private university that is struggling with all the challenges that higher education is facing right now, including declining enrollment. We have not had raises in years, and […]

It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My team has an all-male soccer betting pool My team includes two women (including me) and five men, three of whom are huge soccer fans. A few months ago, the three of them decided to form a betting pool on a large soccer event. They […]

It’s four answers to four questions. Here we go… 1. Application asked, “If offered this job, will you accept?” I am applying for jobs. One application asked the question, “If offered this job, will you accept?” Yes and no were the only options. Obviously, I clicked yes. I assume this is not legally binding. But […]

It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Husband has issues with my dedication to my job and 1-2 work trips a year I am the manager at a small association, and I have the opportunity to fill the vacant CEO position soon. This promotion would significantly improve our financial situation, allowing us […]

It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Is liquor inappropriate at a work event that offers beer and wine? This is a silly, low-stakes question, but I’m curious. I work very closely with another coworker and we frequently plan events for a specific network of professionals. My coworker absolutely refuses to offer […]

It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Can my wife report her creepy coworker to HR? My wife is in a concerning situation at work. A coworker who started out as a friend began crossing the line, making it clear he was looking for more. The comments he made were more “creepy” […]