boss keeps pulling on my ponytail, boss hates babies and I’m pregnant, and more May 7, 2024 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My boss keeps pulling on my ponytail I started a new part-time job at a restaurant a few months ago. I like it, for the most part, and I like the managers. But one of them, Phil, has a rather odd habit. He semi-regularly tugs […]
can I ask to be reimbursed for my expenses in a driving-heavy job? April 24, 2024 A reader writes: I recently started my dream job — amazing start-up, coveted industry, huge promise, incredibly competent management (a gift I do not take for granted). However, I’m working in arguably the most expensive metropolitan city on earth, one that is notorious for being a literal nightmare to drive or own a car in. […]
coworker wants to withhold PTO as punishment, religious gifts for colleagues, and more March 25, 2024 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Coworker wants to withhold PTO as punishment We have a series of educational seminars by coworkers every month. I am expected to attend 80% of these seminars, online or in person (preferred). Attendance is monitored through completion of an anonymous survey with a follow-up page […]
how to ask for a disability accommodation for a job interview February 29, 2024 A reader writes: I hoped you could answer a question –– ideally with a disability/employment lawyer or other specialist –– about disclosing disabilities at the interview stage. Your site is emphatic that disabilities should not be disclosed until an offer is received, due to the possibility for (unconscious) discrimination. This makes sense, but it leaves […]
management talks to us like we’re children, napping in the wellness room, and more February 23, 2024 It’s four answers to four questions. Here we go… 1. Management talks to us like we’re children I am a healthcare professional who works for a home health agency. We are all nurses, rehab therapists, or social workers — educated people with specialized skillsets. We rarely meet in-person but have daily phone calls, so I […]
how to work with a friend who has stopped talking to me January 30, 2024 A reader writes: I could use help with handling a work friendship that is going through some ick. Lou is a remote worker (now in another country) whom I have never met in person. Shortly after he started a few years ago, we became close friends even with that distance. We’ve provided personal and professional […]
my boss flipped out when I said I “have options,” interviewing a candidate who was recently hired elsewhere, and more January 8, 2024 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My boss flipped out when I said I “have options” Recently, I had a terse exchange with my boss during a meeting where a group of my colleagues and I were being updated on a serious HR situation. After hearing about the problem and the […]
a guy I hooked up with is joining my team, employee gave me cash for a holiday gift, and more January 4, 2024 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. A past fling is joining my team and I might need to manage his work A few years ago when I was living across the country for grad school, I hooked up with a guy (Wesley) a couple of times. We exchanged a few texts […]
new employee asked me our policy on dating supervisors, boss told me “sorry isn’t good enough anymore,” and more December 21, 2023 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. New employee asked me our policy on dating supervisors I’m the manager at a branch location of a family owned retail garden center. I wanted to ask if you had any advice […]
updates: telling an interviewer the job expectations aren’t realistic, and more December 20, 2023 It’s “where are you now?” month at Ask a Manager, and all December I’m running updates from people who had their letters here answered in the past. Here are four updates from past letter-writers. There will be more posts than usual this week, so keep checking back throughout the day. 1. Telling an interviewer that […]