open thread – May 31-June 1, 2019 by Alison Green on May 31, 2019 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 →
after I offered someone a job, her dad got on the phone with questions … and more by Alison Green on May 31, 2019 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. I offered a job to a candidate — and her dad got on the phone with questions My coworker recently encountered this situation, and I’d love to hear how you would have handled things. My coworker, Sally, recently hired a new grad, Jane. As Sally […] Read the full article →
how to tell coworkers “you need to do that yourself” by Alison Green on May 30, 2019 A reader writes: I have been employed with my agency for five years. Six months ago, I transitioned out of, let’s say, llama grooming support into a junior llama groomer role. However, no one was hired to take over grooming support in my place, and my supervisor Lily (who was my supervisor for both roles) […] Read the full article →
update: I’m scared to tell my boss how behind on work I am by Alison Green on May 30, 2019 Remember the letter-writer earlier this year who had fallen way behind on her work (due to a lot of factors outside her control, like bad management decisions and a husband with cancer) and was afraid to tell her boss? Here’s the update. I am sorry I didn’t take your advice. I was too chicken to […] Read the full article →
how do I stop speaking without thinking in professional situations? by Alison Green on May 30, 2019 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: I’ve just got back from a work event where I made a indiscreet and critical comment about one of our sponsor companies. The moment I said it, I knew I had messed up. Nobody really reacted and it’s highly probable nothing will ever come of […] Read the full article →
can I ask about salary before a skills test, am I editing people’s work too heavily, and more by Alison Green on May 30, 2019 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Can I ask about salary before doing a skills test? I applied for a job that looks like a lateral move for me. I interviewed for it, and the interview went pretty well. Within a couple hours, they emailed me with a two-part skills test. […] Read the full article →
my coworker won’t stop calling us ma’am and sir by Alison Green on May 29, 2019 A reader writes: I have an odd question concerning a new coworker. For context, I work in the communications department, and everyone on my team is fairly young (30s or younger). All members of this team are working professionals, and all of us have worked in other public-facing jobs before. Recently, our boss hired a […] Read the full article →
how to announce a firing to the rest of your staff by Alison Green on May 29, 2019 A reader writes: Can you please provide me with an email script to inform my employees that someone has been dismissed? I answer this question — and four others — over at Inc. today, where I’m revisiting letters that have been buried in the archives here from years ago (and sometimes updating/expanding my answers to […] Read the full article →
when should you expect your boss to apologize? by Alison Green on May 29, 2019 A reader writes: I’m working in a job that was oversold to me. (Yes, I did due diligence and talked to people who knew the organization before accepting it.) The hiring manager told me I’d have considerable creative freedom, but in reality I’ve been stuck with a lot of rote, mindless, procedural work. I get […] Read the full article →
sending flowers on someone’s first day of work, I have a view of the apartment of an enthusiastic nudist, and more by Alison Green on May 29, 2019 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Sending flowers on someone’s first day of work I work at a smaller organization, and Sansa, who manages our 10-person junior staff, is leaving after working here for the better part of the last decade. She’ll be sorely missed, and the head of the organization […] Read the full article →