update: my boss makes us all keep the office kosher for Passover by Alison Green on March 27, 2015 Remember the letter-writer whose boss makes everyone keep the office kitchen kosher for Passover? Here’s an update. First of all, thank you for explaining why my boss must do what he does during Passover. Even if he wasn’t the sole owner, his business partner would probably be Jewish too, like his wife or brother. He’s 76 […] Read the full article →
what to do when an employee gives you info in confidence by Alison Green on March 27, 2015 A reader writes: I’ve had an employee come to me to tell me about some problematic behavior he witnessed from another employee. It’s serious enough that not addressing it isn’t an option, but the employee who told me about it asked me not to reveal that the information came from him. However, no one else […] Read the full article →
open thread – March 27, 2015 by Alison Green on March 27, 2015 It’s the Friday open thread! The comment section on this post is open for discussion with other readers on anything work-related that you want to talk about. If you want an answer from me, emailing me is still your best bet*, but this is a chance to talk to other readers. * If you submitted […] Read the full article →
employee reported her coworker for a Facebook photo that showed some skin, time-traveling interviewers, and more by Alison Green on March 27, 2015 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Employee reported her coworker for a Facebook photo that showed some skin My coworker, “Kara,” reported our coworker “Sally” to the manager of our organization for having a Facebook profile photo that Kara felt was inappropriate and reflected poorly on the organization. The photo showed […] Read the full article →
should you give job candidates the interview questions ahead of time? by Alison Green on March 26, 2015 A reader writes: I searched on your site and saw you have given examples of common questions interviewers ask. However, while a candidate can prepare for those types of questions, for situational interview questions it’s tough for them to come up with answers when I’m asking them to draw on their experience and give me […] Read the full article →
how can I help my boss manage his time better? by Alison Green on March 26, 2015 A reader asks: How do you put order and structure to a boss’s calendar that is out of control with constant meetings and no time to get any work done? Due to downsizing, my manager oversees three departments now instead of just one. My boss has meetings on top of meetings on top of meetings, […] Read the full article →
employer pulled the job offer after I tried to negotiate by Alison Green on March 26, 2015 A reader writes: My job offer was rescinded after I sent an email attempting to negotiate the base salary to $3,000 plus what was originally offered. I was horrified after receiving the employer’s initial response withdrawing the offer. Such a situation is rarely talked about in internet job articles (I read yours on this matter […] Read the full article →
asking to work 20% fewer hours, company won’t pay interest on business credit card charges, and more by Alison Green on March 26, 2015 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Asking to work 20% fewer hours I have been at my new job for about 5 weeks now. I noticed that some of my coworkers work “80 percent” or 32 hours per week. I would love to pare my schedule down to 32 hours per week, […] Read the full article →
my new coworker is the contractor who I fired last year by Alison Green on March 25, 2015 A reader writes: I am a government employee with a few supporting contractors. About a year and a half ago, I had a contractor removed for poor performance. She was in a role that required her to do analysis and prepare written reports on the results, but she did not have the skills to do […] Read the full article →
should you tell your boss about a slacker coworker? by Alison Green on March 25, 2015 A reader writes: How do you express concerns about a slacking coworker to your boss without coming out sounding like a jerk? I have a coworker who spends quite a bit of time visiting with other employees. This same person expects others on the team to “offer” to help with work not finished. We’ve tried to gently […] Read the full article →