I work for a boy band fan site by Alison Green on July 26, 2012 A reader writes: I have a question regarding job or volunteer experience that could be considered sort of embarrassing. I recently took over as a site administrator (or as the site wants to call me “webmistress” but that seems awkward and dominatrix-y to me) of a fan site for a well-known 90s boy band. It […] Read the full article →
can my employer require me to answer my cell phone on vacation? by Alison Green on July 26, 2012 A reader writes: Can the company I work for tell us we have to answer our cell phone while we are on vacation? I asked the question, will I get vacation time back if I do? The answer is no. They say because they pay the phone bill, we have to answer the calls no […] Read the full article →
tiny answer Thursday: 7 short answers to 7 short questions by Alison Green on July 26, 2012 It’s tiny answer Thursday — seven short answers to seven short questions. Here we go… 1. Hiring the runner-up before firing the first choice I am an HR director for a nonprofit of about 120 people. We recently wrapped up a lengthy search that saw us have applications from nearly 100 people. It was down […] Read the full article →
why good people can’t get jobs by Alison Green on July 25, 2012 This is a really interesting article that you should read. It’s an interview with Peter Cappelli, who wrote Why Good People Can’t Get Jobs: The Skills Gap and What Companies Can Do About It. He talks about things like: * how the bad job market has made employers pickier and slower to hire * how fewer […] Read the full article →
no, you shouldn’t quit without notice by Alison Green on July 25, 2012 If you’ve ever been tempted to quit without notice — perhaps thinking that you can’t stand it any longer, or that you want to start that new job immediately rather than waiting two weeks, or even just thinking “I’ll show them” — think again. Quitting without notice will burn bridges and can tarnish your reputation […] Read the full article →
should you take off your engagement ring for job interviews? by Alison Green on July 25, 2012 A reader writes: My fiance and I have been engaged for a little over a year and his mom gave us her old engagement ring as a gift (if she hadn’t, I likely wouldn’t have worn one due to my own discomfort with conflict diamonds and the like). It’s beautiful and few people even notice […] Read the full article →
should managers enforce minor policies? by Alison Green on July 24, 2012 A reader writes: As a manager, I know how to handle big performance issues; people need to be warned, given time to improve, and then either shape up or ship out. I’m wondering, though, about less severe issues and how to properly handle them. One of my biggest day-to-day headaches are the minor transgressions, those […] Read the full article →
managing a team that resents you by Alison Green on July 24, 2012 A reader writes: My manager recently announced that she had been promoted to become a director, and that her position (our department manager) was vacant and that senior management would really like to see someone from our team fill that position. I was excited at the opportunity, and of course applied (as did most people […] Read the full article →
tiny answer Tuesday: 7 short answers to 7 short questions by Alison Green on July 24, 2012 It’s tiny answer Tuesday — seven short answers to seven short questions. Here we go… 1. Dealing with an explosive coworker I have a coworker who somehow manages to manipulate and control everyone in the office with her anger. She’s very sensitive and explosive. You never know what is going to “set her off.” I’ve […] Read the full article →
does my boss expect me to work too much? by Alison Green on July 23, 2012 A reader writes: How many hours a week is reasonable for a salaried employee to work? I am in a salaried position and work somewhere between 50-60 hours a week, sometime more. My boss is telling me that it is normal for salaried positions. Most people at my job, including the CEO, do work a […] Read the full article →