should I let my coworker know someone is spreading gossip about her? by Alison Green on November 23, 2012 A reader writes: In my office, two of my coworkers share the same office. I believe they have a good relationship, but Coworker A constantly tells Coworker B’s business to EVERYONE in the office. From Coworker A, I have heard about Coworker B’s miscarriage, her other interviews within our company, her counseling at her church,her […] Read the full article →
fast answer Friday — 7 short answers to 7 short questions by Alison Green on November 23, 2012 It’s fast answer Friday — seven short answers to seven short questions. Here we go… 1. Coworkers want money from me for a lottery I just started a new job a few weeks ago. I recently learned that my coworkers gather an office lottery pool about two or three times per week. Since everyone contributes […] Read the full article →
terse answer Thanksgiving — 7 short answers to 7 short questions by Alison Green on November 22, 2012 I hope you’re eating enormous amounts of mashed potatoes and stuffing today. Meanwhile, though, it’s terse answer Thanksgiving — seven short answers to seven short questions. Here we go… 1. Explaining frequent doctor’s appointments Recently I have been seeing a couple of doctors on a regular basis (two doctors, seeing each 2-3 times a month), […] Read the full article →
job rejections right before a holiday: okay or not okay? by Alison Green on November 21, 2012 Whenever I need to send out rejection emails and it’s a day before a holiday — especially Thanksgiving or Christmas — I always wonder if it’s kinder to wait. What’s your take? Would you rather get an answer right now, so that you’re not wondering and agonizing over the holiday break when you could have […] Read the full article →
the top 10 holiday aggravations at work by Alison Green on November 21, 2012 With holiday season upon us, it’s the time for workplace gift exchanges, holiday parties, and charity drives—and with them, accompanying aggravations. Here are the top 10 most aggravating elements of holidays in the office. 1. Company holiday parties that are mandatory to attend. Companies usually hold these events because they believe they build employee morale — but […] Read the full article →
how much effort is too much when job searching? by Alison Green on November 21, 2012 A reader writes: How much effort to connect directly is too much when applying to positions? I am getting the impression from feedback that supply and demand means employers have to sift through many more applications than they have time to process in any depth. So personal contact / networking and briefer applications may have […] Read the full article →
update from the reader whose coworkers were making fun of his masters degree by Alison Green on November 21, 2012 Remember the reader back in January whose coworkers were making fun of his masters degree? Here’s an update from him: Thank you for posting my question to you. I read the comments and I think my post was somewhat controversial and the comments were very divided. I did not mean to come off as bragging […] Read the full article →
refusing more work unless you get a raise or promotion by Alison Green on November 20, 2012 A reader writes: Can and how do I professionally decline additional duties/ responsibilities unless I receive a pay raise or promotion? Background: I’ve been in the same position for almost 4 years. I’ve been promised multiple pay raises (including to bring me up to industry standard), which have never happened “due to budgetary reasons,” so […] Read the full article →
how to reject a coworker who’s romantically interested in you by Alison Green on November 20, 2012 A reader writes: I am writing on the subject of office friendships/relationships. There are many friendships throughout my office. It is a very casual workplace. Many of my coworkers and I hang out socially. But being the only female on the job, I find I do receive a little more attention than I would like. […] Read the full article →
when a new employer wants you to leave your current job without notice by Alison Green on November 19, 2012 A reader writes: I am currently employed. I was working 30 hours a week, but in the last month my hours were reduced to 3 days a week (just 21 hours). I have maintained and updated my resume on several websites for the past year, and I get at least one to two calls a […] Read the full article →