should I use a job offer to get a raise at my current job? by Alison Green on July 17, 2018 A reader writes: I’ve worked in development at a significant cultural institution for over a decade. I’m frequently told I’m an essential member of the team and that things would fall apart without me. Two years in a row now I’ve been told to expect a promotion, and then asked to wait until the following year […] Read the full article →
my child-free coworkers constantly complain about people with children by Alison Green on July 17, 2018 A reader writes: I recently started a new job in an office. Overall the work environment is great — everyone is expected to work hard, but we are treated like adults and our individual methods and moment-to-moment doings aren’t policed much at all. I share a work-space with a coworker, V, which also houses the […] Read the full article →
coworker wants a bigger retirement party than we want to fund, really intense job listings, and more by Alison Green on July 17, 2018 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Coworker wants a bigger retirement send-off than we’re willing to fund I work for a state government organization, which means we have no budget for anything extra or perks. When people retire, their office generally comes together to do something for them. It’s very usual […] Read the full article →
can I nap on my break? by Alison Green on July 16, 2018 A reader writes: I work for a large company that has a large common break and dining area, which has dining tables and booths like a restaurant, along with many televisions along the walls showing various network and cable shows. They also serve food and beverages. This area is an employees-only area and isn’t accessible […] Read the full article →
should I go around HR and contact the hiring manager directly? by Alison Green on July 16, 2018 A reader writes: I’m currently job searching and when I learn about an opening, I’ll often reach out directly to department heads as opposed to HR. However, sometimes after these directors/VP’s email me back saying they’ve forwarded along my resume to HR, it goes no further. I like being proactive and cutting out the middleman […] Read the full article →
my coworker dumps emotions all over us and wants to be coddled by Alison Green on July 16, 2018 A reader writes: My coworker, Dionne, and I are struggling with our other coworker, Amber. We are all the same level, but in charge of different departments. Dionne and I are young to have the positions we have, but we’ve both worked extremely hard and actively pursue opportunities to address any skills gaps we have. […] Read the full article →
my boss wants a team outing to a gun range, employer wants to discuss my “hot mess” cover letter, and more by Alison Green on July 16, 2018 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My boss wants to do a team outing at a gun range My boss keeps suggesting a team outing at a gun range. I feel very uncomfortable about this prospect as I don’t have any interest in handling guns. Is there a way to gracefully […] Read the full article →
weekend free-for-all – July 14-15, 2018 by Alison Green on July 14, 2018 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: Less, by Andrew Sean Greer. Desperate to be away when his ex-boyfriend gets married (and not thrilled about his impending 50th birthday), a […] Read the full article →
record a question for the Ask a Manager podcast by Alison Green on July 13, 2018 There are now two ways to ask a question on the Ask a Manager podcast: 1. If you want to come on the show yourself to discuss your question with me in real time, email your question to podcast@askamanager.org. The advantage of this option is that we get to have lots of back and forth and […] Read the full article →
open thread – July 13-14, 2018 by Alison Green on July 13, 2018 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 →