update: my coworker won’t stop caressing me — or the kids we work with by Alison Green on August 10, 2017 Remember the letter-writer in 2015 whose coworker kept caressing people — including the kids they worked with — even after she’d been told to stop? Here’s the update. First, I’ve been working at another (wonderful) organization who does something similar to the place that I left, and I’ve been there for almost 10 years (yes, […] Read the full article →
what benefits do you get? by Alison Green on August 10, 2017 A couple of years ago, in an effort to take some of the mystery out of salaries, I ran a post asking people to share how much money they make, their job, and their geographic region. It ended up being one of the most popular posts on the site, and we did it again early […] Read the full article →
interviewer called me the weakest candidate, being asked for pay stubs during salary negotiation, and more by Alison Green on August 10, 2017 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. A hiring manager accidentally sent me an email calling me the weakest candidate I recently interviewed at a financial services company that has a great reputation. I interviewed with an account executive VP who has been in business magazines and written articles on financial trends. […] Read the full article →
3 updates from letter-writers (the acne, the ghoster, and the texting boss) by Alison Green on August 9, 2017 Here are three updates from people who had their letters answered here recently. 1. Could my acne be keeping me from getting a job? I’m the one who wrote to you a few weeks back about whether or not acne was affecting my job search. A lot has happened since then! First, unfortunately, I was not […] Read the full article →
is it unprofessional to use emoticons in work emails? by Alison Green on August 9, 2017 A reader writes: What is your feeling on using emoticons (smiley faces, etc.) in professional emails? My first reaction is “no, they are too childish and unprofessional,” but then I find myself sometimes wanting to use them to add some levity to an email, or soften some language, or convey a friendly message. Since emails […] Read the full article →
do you really have to stay at a job for at least a year? by Alison Green on August 9, 2017 I moved yesterday and am on an unpacking mission, so some posts this week will be reprints from years ago. This one is from November 2014, and I’ve updated in a few places. A reader writes: I took a new job just less than a year ago that I was incredibly excited about. It wasn’t […] Read the full article →
my boss complains about me to my parents, my boss doesn’t want me to work while traveling, and more by Alison Green on August 9, 2017 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My boss complains about me to my parents I’m a young 23-year-old Australian. I’m employed in a cleaning-based role at a local school. My employer is having a few issues with my work ethic and what not (apparently), and has informed my parents about this, […] Read the full article →
update: my boss made me leave a work note at a grave by Alison Green on August 8, 2017 Remember the letter-writer with the worst boss in the world, who made her leave a note about work at the grave of a bereaved employee’s relative? Here’s the update. Thank you again. The updates you have posted on your site reminded me I should update you on what happened. I went back to the cemetery because […] Read the full article →
our interns are clueless about our office dress code by Alison Green on August 8, 2017 A reader writes: I’m a new manager. Each year, the company I work for brings on college students as interns. One thing I have noticed is the lack of following the dress code and unprofessional outfits from the interns. Our industry is on the conservative side and wearing suits and button-downs is expected for everyone, from […] Read the full article →
new employee insists we call her “Mrs. ____” even though we all use first names by Alison Green on August 8, 2017 I’m moving this week so some posts this week will be reprints from years ago. This one is from February 2014. In this letter, names have been changed for anonymity. A reader writes: I recently hired a new employee in my 7-person department. I am very excited, as she has a great experience and her […] Read the full article →