help, my bullying ex-boss is out of control September 30, 2010 A reader writes: A year ago, I took a part time job while my daughter was at school. It was for a pet-sitting company walking dogs. I was an independent contractor. While I knew the owner was passive-aggressive, I learned to just limit my contact and did what I had to do and developed a […]
crazy, shouting, crying, bullying boss December 4, 2008 A reader writes: I am a working for a 69-year-old woman (owner of a small company) who feels threatened by me. She is highly insecure, and though I have been kind to her, she consistently tries to bully and manipulate me into confrontational (and totally irrational) conversations. The partner in the office noticed her feeling […]
asserting authority with bullying employees January 8, 2008 A reader writes: I am a co-owner of two bowling alleys with my husband. I actually started working at the first one as an employee, because I was only friends with my husband at the time. I worked my way up in the company being promoted to general manager by my now husband and his […]
helping an awkward new employee, boss asked me to talk to a coworker about her cleavage, and more November 5, 2024 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. How can I help an awkward new employee connect better with coworkers? I am a senior team member. Reporting to me are Bill (mid-level — seven years of experience), and three people at the junior level (one to three years of experience). Bill is the […]
my coworker won’t stop telling me that I smell October 14, 2024 I’m off today. This was originally published in 2017. A reader writes: I enjoy wearing perfume, but tend to stick to indie oil scents, since the smell tends to stick closer to my skin (so, in theory, I don’t bother my coworkers) and also because I seem to be sensitive to the alcohol that a […]
should I promote an employee who doesn’t get along with coworkers? September 24, 2024 A reader writes: I am a general manager of two quick service restaurant locations. Running two locations has left me stretched very thin. Last September, I lost my assistant general manager, who helped me with all the day-to-day to make sure things ran smoothly at both stores. Now enter my employee Abby. Abby is a […]
everyone at my new job loves my high school bully, company wants us to pay for a work trip, and more September 18, 2024 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Everyone at my new job loves my high school bully I’m an actor and just started rehearsals for a play. A woman who bullied me terribly in high school is active in my city’s theater community. Luckily, I haven’t run into her as I was […]
let’s discuss animals at work August 8, 2024 Let’s discuss animals at work! We heard last week about someone who accidentally went to work with a bird on her head, and we’ve heard in the past about someone who couldn’t get to work because of aggressive nesting geese, we’ve fielded some drama about bears, and we’ve of course had myriad stories about dogs […]
can I report my boss for getting me sick? July 23, 2024 A reader writes: I want to go to HR about my boss coming in sick, resulting in me using all my vacation time for an upper respiratory infection, but I’m not sure I should. We work in a cafeteria, so we have an HR but we also serve food. My boss came in Wednesday and […]
my coworkers are in a self-help cult, I pretended I’m allergic to bees, and more July 5, 2024 I’m off today. Here are some past letters that I’m making new again, rather than leaving them to wilt in the archives. 1. I got in trouble for saying “bite me” in a meeting I recently attended an intense work group meeting with my boss and a coworker. The coworker responded to one of my […]