my boss wants me to collaborate with my awful coworker by Alison Green on September 22, 2017 A reader writes: I have a coworker who started a few months ago. He and I are responsible for similar types of projects, but we rarely collaborate because the projects don’t readily lend themselves to teamwork. Occasionally, we may consult each other if we hit a technical snag with the software. For some reason, my […] Read the full article →
open thread – September 22-23, 2017 by Alison Green on September 22, 2017 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 →
telling my boss about a rumor he might lose his job, advocating for my staff, and more by Alison Green on September 22, 2017 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. There’s a rumor my boss might lose his job I am in a predicament where a coworker has told me he overheard a rumor that my boss is being ousted by the president. Allegedly, they are bringing in an even more senior head of our […] Read the full article →
can you ask a reference what they said about you? by Alison Green on September 21, 2017 A reader writes: I am currently in the middle of the hiring process for a job I very much want. There are an extremely limited number of positions available in this area and I am fortunate enough to have moved past the first round of interviews with the top company in this niche. I received an […] Read the full article →
update: my company’s accountant is nitpicking my pretty frugal travel expenses by Alison Green on September 21, 2017 Remember the letter last month from the person whose company accountant was nitpicking his travel expenses in the most ridiculous way? If you didn’t read the comments, you missed this insane detail from the letter writer: “Actual comment at the last checkin with Bob, regarding a ~$12 tab at Chipotle: ‘Ordering extra guacamole is wasteful […] Read the full article →
stolen lunches, missing mugs, and other petty office thefts: share your stories by Alison Green on September 21, 2017 Workplace thefts are usually a lot pettier than Monday’s letter about the person who stole an intern’s jacket. Like this from a commenter recently: “I have a Bath and Body eucalyptus (mini) hand sanitizer next to my computer. Turns out someone has used it up, then refilled it with water so it wouldn’t look like it was […] Read the full article →
will my mental health get in the way of a promotion, bad resume advice, and more by Alison Green on September 21, 2017 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Will my mental health get in the way of a promotion? I am a college student working part-time at a retail job that I absolutely love. I have goals and plans to move up in the company that my direct supervisors and my district manager […] Read the full article →
how can I increase my chances when I’m under-qualified for a job? by Alison Green on September 20, 2017 A reader writes: I may — and may is the operative word — be about to hit a lucky break in my job search. I have a strong contact with a longtime associate of a hiring manager in a small office, which recently posted a position with requirements I technically meet. I’ve applied to the […] Read the full article →
when the employee you recommended gets fired by Alison Green on September 20, 2017 A reader writes: Last fall, my firm hired an employee who I had referred for the same position that I have. This employee was just fired last week (after nine months with the firm). Apparently, the people she worked for felt she was somewhat lazy and was not keeping up with her work. Should I […] Read the full article →
my boss is unavailable and it’s driving us all mad by Alison Green on September 20, 2017 A reader writes: I report to a C-suite level executive, “Bob” (where Bob’s boss is the CEO). I manage Bob’s schedule and generally coordinate our department’s projects under his direction. However, Bob is one of the most unavailable, unreachable bosses I have ever seen. He is very clearly a verbal processor (likes thinking out loud […] Read the full article →