should I show how angry I am when I resign? by Alison Green on October 31, 2017 A reader writes: Three months ago, I applied for a short-term contract position in order to get my foot in the door with a company in an industry I had previously worked in and missed immensely. Shortly before my interview, my resume was shared with a separate department in that company and I came in […] Read the full article →
my coworkers keep talking to me when I’m trying to work by Alison Green on October 31, 2017 A reader writes: I need help knowing how to politely say “go away.” I frequently get trapped in work conversations and can’t find my way out of them. Blame it on a lifetime of being a people-pleaser. Can you please give me a script I can use to extricate myself? Here are some recurring examples: […] Read the full article →
have you ever had a spooky experience at work? by Alison Green on October 31, 2017 Did you ever work somewhere haunted? Feel the ghost of your predecessor marooned in your office? Encounter an evil spirit lurking in the copier? A couple of years ago for Halloween, I asked people to share stories of spooky moments at work. There have been calls to do it again, so let’s go for it […] Read the full article →
when an employee turns in late work, telling your interviewer “I really want this job,” and more by Alison Green on October 31, 2017 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My employee said he didn’t know his late project was important — but he did I manage a team of six in a small STEM firm. My employees are, by and large, fantastic. They do their work on time, at a high level, with great attitudes. […] Read the full article →
my department will fall apart if I get pregnant and take maternity leave by Alison Green on October 30, 2017 A reader writes: I am currently an HR generalist for a medium-sized not-for-profit (health care). I work under the HR director and am also over one HR assistant. I learned that my boss will be moving in the next few months and my company wants to promote me to HR director. I am only 26, […] Read the full article →
here’s how to dress up for Halloween at work without alienating all your coworkers by Alison Green on October 30, 2017 Are you planning to head into work tomorrow dressed as a ghost, a superhero, or perhaps the Night King from Game of Thrones? If you’re thinking of dressing up for Halloween at work, here’s what you need to know to avoid inadvertently spooking your coworkers, your clients, or your boss. 1. If you’re new on […] Read the full article →
I overheard my girlfriend on a work call and am worried she’s a mean boss by Alison Green on October 30, 2017 A reader writes, My significant other, Beverly, is a senior consultant/team lead. From time to time, she’ll do conference calls when I’m home. I know generally how she acts at work and what her job entails. One of her new subordinates, Deanna, gave a presentation to her and her boss, Tasha. The little I heard […] Read the full article →
employee is tethered to her phone, my former boss keeps trying to manage me, and more by Alison Green on October 30, 2017 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My employee is tethered to her phone I work for a large organization, but our immediate area has 70 people, and I have two direct reports in a department of five. I have worked in this role and at this organization for nine years, and […] Read the full article →
weekend free-for-all – October 28-29, 2017 by Alison Green on October 28, 2017 This comment section is open for any non-work-related discussion you’d like to have with other readers, by popular demand. (This one is truly no work and no school.) Book recommendation of the week: The Impossible Fortress, by Jason Rekulak. A 1980s coming of age story involving computer games, petty theft, and an obsession with Vanna White. […] Read the full article →
update: my boss is unavailable and it’s driving us all mad by Alison Green on October 27, 2017 Remember the letter-writer whose boss was constantly unavailable? She was his assistant and could see it was driving his team mad. Here’s the update. Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my question on your website. Your feedback (and most of the commenters’) was extremely helpful in first easing my mind that […] Read the full article →