May 2015

using staff-wide email to track down a potential date

A reader writes: Not a formal advice question, just a workplace “event” I was witness to years ago that i thought you would find interesting, and would like your hypothetical take were you the manager/COO of an workplace involving this exact scenario (What Would Alison Do?). There are articles about it here and here, but […]

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how much guidance should interns need?

A reader writes: We have a very small company and recently took on our first (paid) interns, and we’re having some issues managing. There is regular last-minute calling in/not showing up, other types of behaviors that are not ideal (falling asleep in a “boring” meeting). They also regularly press for permanent jobs, which we directly […]

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should I apologize to another team for how my boss treated them?

A reader writes: My boss, “Harold,” recently pulled me into a conflict with another team in an email. There was some back and forth regarding a request that Harold made, which culminated in Harold being condescending and insulting (perhaps inadvertently, but it could have been phrased better) a member of the other team who was […]

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5 hidden inefficiencies on your team

When managers think about productivity killers on their team, they often think about things like people spending time on Facebook or not working at peak capacity. But there are some hidden inefficiencies that don’t often get the same attention, but which can have a much great impact. At Intuit QuickBase’s Fast Track blog today, I […]

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did I commit a cardinal job-searching sin?

A reader writes: I think I have inadvertently committed a cardinal job-searching sin. Here’s the necessary backstory: I’m a recent college grad (June ’14) looking for a job in a STEM field. I signed up for a job-search group run by a local career counselor, and it was very helpful regarding resumes, cover letters, networking, […]

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coworkers keep commenting on my food

A reader writes: I don’t really have a problem that needs solving. I just want to ask your opinion about a pet peeve of mine to see if I may be off-base in feeling this way. It really bothers me when my coworkers comment negatively on whatever I may be eating at the moment. Here […]

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