December 2013

interviewing while pregnant — but I’m not the mother

A reader writes: I’m currently employed, though attempting to change careers. I have a few great job interviews set up for positions I would love to have. My only hiccup in the interview process is that I’m four months pregnant, but the baby isn’t mine. I am a gestational carrier for a lovely family who […]

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do I really have to attend my office holiday party?

A reader writes: I’ve recently gotten a job at a nice company and everything’s great, except this upcoming Christmas there’s a holiday party and, well, truthfully I don’t want to attend. It’s not because I dislike any of the people there, I’m just not really a social animal and I don’t really enjoy those sorts […]

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8 ways you’re annoying your coworkers during the holidays

The holidays at work can be jolly and festive, but they’re also full of opportunities to inadvertently be the office Scrooge. Here are eight common ways people alienate their coworkers at the holidays. 1. Pushing people to contribute to an expensive gift for the boss. Gifts in a workplace should flow down, not upwards, but too […]

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shady bosses, badly-received resignations, and more

It’s five short answers to five short questions. Here we go… 1. Did my boss pass off someone else’s work as his own? I have been in my position for a little under a year, as a science researcher in a small high tech start up. In a recent meeting, my boss asked if I […]

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I’m worried a client isn’t going to pay me

A reader writes: In October, I started a job working as a freelance journalist for a local newspaper. The managing editor would communicate with me via email, sending me leads for stories. I would go to events, interview people, and take pictures. She was very nice and always responded to my emails within minutes. According […]

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