how much can you change your manager? by Alison Green on November 16, 2009 How much can you change your manager? One of the most common themes in questions I receive at Ask a Manager is: how can I change my manager? How can I make her stop this annoying habit, or not be a jerk, or learn to manage her time better? The answer is: Maybe you can’t. […] Read the full article →
coworker moonlighting as prostitute during work hours by Alison Green on November 15, 2009 A reader writes: My co-worker is a very open person and tells me to cover for her every time she has to leave the office. Our boss and manager are not here half the time so when they are not, my co-worker leaves either early and/or takes a really long lunch. At the beginning, the […] Read the full article →
hours cut, workload increased by Alison Green on November 15, 2009 A reader writes: I was recently hired as a Personal Assistant/Office Manager at a non-profit organization and I love my job! However, there is one issue. During the interview process, I was told I would be working 24 hours a week. Once they called me and said I was hired, I was told (in the […] Read the full article →
company wouldn’t interview me because I was 5 minutes late by Alison Green on November 12, 2009 A reader writes: Yesterday, I was scheduled for a very much anticipated interview with a well-known airline for a customer service position. I know in my heart that this company would not only be an honor to work for, but that the position would be a great fit for me! The interview was scheduled for […] Read the full article →
trouble fitting in with coworkers by Alison Green on November 10, 2009 A reader writes: I have been working at a software company for a little over a year now. I like the company, we produce a product which I like, the mission statement is very focused on making a difference in education, and the culture of the overall company is very relaxed and employee centered (jeans […] Read the full article →
will tattoos prevent me from getting hired? by Alison Green on November 10, 2009 A reader writes: I have a couple tattoos, 2 that are visible, one on my wrist and another on my forearm. They aren’t large or obscene. I also have my nose pierced with a small stud. I do have a good job, that I’ve been at for 6 years, and I got these “decorations” while […] Read the full article →
5 signs you might be a bad coworker by Alison Green on November 9, 2009 5 signs you might be a bad coworker I get a lot of mail at Ask a Manager from people who are consumed with fury over habits their coworkers have — habits that I bet most of those coworkers aren’t even aware of. Below are five signs that you might be the one pushing your […] Read the full article →
upset with size of raise by Alison Green on November 7, 2009 A reader writes: I’m on my 6th year of working with the same small nonprofit. I haven’t moved up or down. I’ve stayed at my same position. Every year they do an evaluation, and every year I get the same raise, 1.5%. Since I have been working here, I have taken on more than my […] Read the full article →
how to manage an employee without enough work to do by Alison Green on November 7, 2009 A reader writes: I have an employee who for the past few months has said that she doesn’t have enough to do. I am not the type to give out busy work. It is perhaps that she has mastered her job and should move on to something else with another company? We are a small […] Read the full article →
did boss misrepresent vacation policy? by Alison Green on November 6, 2009 A reader writes: I work at a small start-up company, and when I accepted the position my boss represented one of the perks as “we can be informal about vacation days.” I’m not a slacker and didn’t plan on taking advantage of it, but understandably I was happy about the attitude. However, in the seven […] Read the full article →