how can I make sure I’m hiring people who will thrive in our demanding firm? by Alison Green on March 27, 2014 A reader writes: I’m a senior-level associate attorney at a major law firm and work in a small, close-knit practice that’s nationally known and very demanding. We’ve had several performance-related terminations and it’s become clear that part of the problem is in our hiring practices — the people we hire don’t necessarily have the characteristics […] Read the full article →
comments, crankiness, and civility by Alison Green on March 27, 2014 One of the things I’m proudest of about this site is the incredible commenters we have here. I’ve long said that this site has some of the best commenters anywhere on the internet — smart, thoughtful, helpful, and civil. But in recent weeks, there’s been more aggression and personal nastiness in the comments section than […] Read the full article →
I’m afraid a manager will find my trash-talking emails about her, affairs with married coworkers, and more by Alison Green on March 27, 2014 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. I’m afraid that a manager will find my trash-talking emails about her in my former coworker’s email A coworker was let go as part of a large layoff at the Fortune 500 company where I work. I recently found out that when people are let […] Read the full article →
are you really as busy as you think you are? by Alison Green on March 26, 2014 Are you too busy, and do you like to let people know how busy and exhausted you are? And/or have you noticed an increase in the number of people in your lives who are busy busy busy and who will tell you all about it? Then you must read this article by Hanna Rosin in […] Read the full article →
do you want to work at a nonprofit? by Alison Green on March 26, 2014 I’ve spent most of my career working in nonprofits, and I am here to tell you that — if you care about doing something you believe in and making the world a better place — it rules. Well, it can rule, if you pick the right one. (If you pick the wrong one, it can […] Read the full article →
should a resigning employee have to reimburse us for costs of a future conference he signed up for? by Alison Green on March 26, 2014 A reader writes: I manage a small software development team in a larger company. We have a modest conference allowance for each person in our department, usable by each employee in whichever way they see fit (with veto input from me, their manager. We don’t want to pay for them to go to surfing conference […] Read the full article →
my manager shared my pregnancy with people before I did, divorce at work, and more by Alison Green on March 26, 2014 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Handling a divorce at work I am in a new job (and it’s a great job, and I got it with the blog’s help!). Sadly, while my professional life is going well, my personal life has taken a turn. I don’t know how to handle […] Read the full article →
is this email from my coworker manipulative and weird? by Alison Green on March 25, 2014 A reader writes: I have a rather odd situation at hand. At my current job (that I’ve had for about 6 months), I hit it off with a coworker who works in the same division but not the same department. She was very enthusiastic about how I handle my role and how I dilligently handle […] Read the full article →
how to succeed when deadlines and priorities constantly change by Alison Green on March 25, 2014 A reader writes: I work for a company that has had one steady constant — change. How do you ensure you continue to get work done and are as efficient as possible when your team mates, responsibilities, and structure are constantly in flux? It helps to set up your expectations correctly in advance. Part of […] Read the full article →
how to talk to an employee who frequently calls in sick before or after a weekend by Alison Green on March 25, 2014 A reader writes: What is the appropriate way to talk to an employee who tends to take Thursday afternoons and Fridays and Mondays as sick time? I would think some of these are legitimate, but the pattern is somewhat obvious and my boss has even noticed and is wondering if this employee is really just […] Read the full article →