Ask a Manager

I’m on vacation. Here are some past letters that I’m making new again, rather than leaving them to wilt in the archives. 1. My boss sits at my desk and goes through my things I just started a new receptionist job with a very small company. This is my first time in any kind of […]

I’m on vacation. Here are some past letters that I’m making new again, rather than leaving them to wilt in the archives. 1. I have regular happy hours with only one of my staff members I manage a specialty niche team of four within a larger department that otherwise doesn’t have specific teams. My direct […]

I’m on vacation. Here are some past letters that I’m making new again, rather than leaving them to wilt in the archives. 1. I sent an adversarial email — and replied-all I’ve seen plenty of articles about how to respond to someone who is unprofessional, but what do I do if I was the one […]

I’m on vacation. Here are some past letters that I’m making new again, rather than leaving them to wilt in the archives. 1. My boss talks to me like I’m a baby I am wondering how I should address a slight issue I am having with my boss. Because I am quite short and young-looking […]

I’m on vacation. Here are some past letters that I’m making new again, rather than leaving them to wilt in the archives. 1. I think I offended a client I give private music lessons, often in people’s homes. About a month ago, I arrived and the youngest child didn’t know where her materials were, and […]

I’m on vacation. Here are some past letters that I’m making new again, rather than leaving them to wilt in the archives. 1. Our company asked if we’d donate a kidney to a board member My previous workplace sent a company-wide email (via the COO) asking if staff would donate a kidney to a 70-year-old […]

I’m on vacation. Here are some past letters that I’m making new again, rather than leaving them to wilt in the archives. 1. My sister abused my employee discount I get a discount at a popular amusement park because I work for its parent company. There are no explicit policies regarding the use of the […]

I’m on vacation. Here are some past letters that I’m making new again, rather than leaving them to wilt in the archives. 1. My friend/client won’t pay my cancellation fee I have a friend who I met because we both enjoy certain sports. I’ll call him Frank. I only see Frank when I am involved […]

I’m on vacation. Here are some past letters that I’m making new again, rather than leaving them to wilt in the archives. 1. My boss got drunk and was angry that I couldn’t drive him back to the office I have been working at my job (a Fortune 500 company) for nine months, after I […]

I’m on vacation. Here are some past letters that I’m making new again, rather than leaving them to wilt in the archives. And then later today, updates season begins! 1. My former tenant’s “manager” is requesting money for her time spent on a lease dispute I have been in conflict with a former tenant (Sara) […]