there’s a civil war in my office and I don’t want to take sides by Alison Green on July 24, 2017 A reader writes: I am writing to you as a last resort because my workplace has spiraled beyond dysfunctional and I don’t know what else to do. I recently started my first full-time job. One of my coworkers, Marley, was assigned to be my mentor and train me on how to navigate the company software, […] Read the full article →
listing “maid of honor” on your resume, and other questions about weddings and work by Alison Green on July 18, 2017 With wedding season in full swing, you’re going to be hearing about weddings at work – whether it’s the coworker who won’t stop talking about napkin colors, or etiquette dilemmas about whether you have to give gifts to all the betrothed in your office. At New York Magazine today, I tackle a whole round-up of […] Read the full article →
I bit my coworker by Alison Green on July 12, 2017 A reader writes: So I bit a coworker yesterday. Obviously, I’m mortified. I work in an incredibly dysfunctional office. The tone is set by our office manager. He’s in his fifties, has always worked in an office setting, and is difficult. Things are right if it’s in his favor and wrong if anyone else does […] Read the full article →
my coworker treats our Spanish-speaking clients more poorly than other clients by Alison Green on July 6, 2017 A reader writes: I work in a church where we have an externally-facing social services office. Clients can get walk-in pantry food, but are required to make appointments for rent, utility, or clothing assistance. I work in internally-facing ministries, but am frequently called in to assist with our social worker with Spanish language clients. I […] Read the full article →
how can I get out of chauffeuring my coworker everywhere? by Alison Green on June 28, 2017 A reader writes: I am hoping for some advice on how to politely get out of a carpool arrangement with my coworker. She discovered that she lives just a few minutes away from me and asked if we could start carpooling to work together because she and her boyfriend share a car. She gives me […] Read the full article →
my coworkers constantly joke around when I need work answers by Alison Green on June 28, 2017 A reader writes: I have two coworkers who tend to go off on joke-tangents, and it tends to draw out meetings and discussions longer than they need to last and sometimes makes it hard to get things done or get information. It’s pretty irritating. Like, none of the jokes are offensive in and of themselves, […] Read the full article →
a coworker anonymously left breath mints on my desk by Alison Green on June 5, 2017 A reader writes: I honestly am not sure how to handle this. I work at a small and generally friendly office. When I came into work this morning, someone had left a small box of Tic Tacs on my desk. We have a culture where people will frequently leave candy or other small gifts at […] Read the full article →
my coworker used a racial slur at our boss’s home by Alison Green on June 1, 2017 A reader writes: I work in a solo physician’s office — doctor and 12 employees. We have all worked for him a long time and our office is casual, informal, and friendly. We (the staff) are all friendly outside of work as well. The doctor is quite outgoing and friendly, and his wife is more […] Read the full article →
I broke up with a coworker, and I’m afraid it will be a problem at work by Alison Green on May 31, 2017 A reader writes: I’m hoping to get your guidance on a situation at my job that might escalate. About a year ago, I developed a relationship with a coworker (I know, not smart!). I never directly reported to her, but we are on the same team, and she is at a higher-level. I work on […] Read the full article →
how to deal with a loud coworker by Alison Green on May 24, 2017 A reader writes: I have been at my job for a month and a half. My coworker plays music at her desk, and I find it to be very annoying. I really wish she’d use headphones, or better yet, turn off the music, but I’m not sure how to ask her to do so. A […] Read the full article →