boss wants to dumb down my writing, telling a job-hunting relative he stinks, and more November 19, 2024 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My manager wants to dumb down my writing After a long stint in academia, I took a position with a state workforce agency two years ago. While I still teach adjunct at the university and maintain a “collegiate vocabulary,” I am far from inaccessible when […]
succeeding at work if you’re neurodivergent October 24, 2024 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: I have ADHD and learning disabilities. I suspect I have autism too. I just got into a new manager position. With the amount of disabilities I have, it’s amazing how far I made it. As I look for advice for succeeding in the workplace as […]
am I too old-fashioned about how I schedule calls, feedback said my enthusiasm can seem too aggressive, and more October 17, 2024 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Am I being too old-fashioned about how I schedule calls? I work for a mid-sized media company. My job includes emailing people outside of the office to set up a time for me to interview them for content that I write. I keep an old-fashioned […]
survey asked about my boss’s mental health, avoiding a bone-crushing handshake, and more August 27, 2024 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Survey asked how my boss communicates about her mental health My supervisor at work is participating in a company-run training program aimed at helping managers improve their management skills. As one of her direct reports, I’ve been invited to take an (anonymous) survey to provide […]
can my husband hang out in my office, asking coworkers to treat me like “the talent,” and more August 14, 2024 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 […]
interviewer mocked my speech impediment, telling coworkers I’m having a baby unconventionally, and more July 26, 2024 It’s four answers to four questions. Here we go… 1. My interviewer mocked my speech impediment I recently had a job interview that was extremely unpleasant. I won’t go into the details, but suffice it to say, there were so many red flags that the conference room was practically shrouded in a crimson miasma. I’m […]
asking employee to have their eyes checked, frustrated with daughter’s new job, and more July 15, 2024 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. I’m frustrated with my daughter’s new job Our daughter is struggling. Her job has asked her not to come in for the rest of the month as they are “giving her time to work on herself.” She is a new employee of a brand new […]
should I apologize for being a bad employee? July 11, 2024 A reader writes: Do I need to apologize to my managers for being a less-than-stellar employee? I’m a contract employee on my second year of employment with an organization that hires its employees on one-year contracts. During my first year, my performance was good — not outstanding, but at least good enough to have my […]
my coworker will quit if I’m promoted, shimmer body oil at work, and more June 4, 2024 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My office mate announces all their comings and goings How do I get my office mate to stop announcing every time they enter or leave the office? “I’m going to lunch.” “I’m back.” “So many trips to the copier?” “Okay, I’m going to a meeting.” […]
pregnant employee is lying about work, coworker attacked my boss, and more May 13, 2024 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Pregnant employee is lying about doing her work One of my employees is pregnant and has been having a long series of issues at work since the beginning of the year. It shouldn’t matter, but just in case, I am a woman. However, I’ve never […]