the other intern makes me look bad, airlines lost my bags on a work trip, and more by Alison Green on September 26, 2019 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. The other intern is making me look bad I’m about a quarter of the way through an internship I’m really enjoying in a field I could see myself in long-term. I generally think that following an adjustment period, I’ve been professional, my work has been […] Read the full article →
my office interviews people who randomly show up without appointments by Alison Green on September 25, 2019 A reader writes: I’ve been with the same company, a small business of about 25 employees, for about eight years now. During this time, we’ve had a recurring discussion regarding taking meetings with job seekers when we don’t have an open position. Someone will reach out, either by stopping by our office without an appointment […] Read the full article →
my old boss trash-talks my new boss by Alison Green on September 25, 2019 A reader writes: Until three months ago, I had major problems with my manager, who in my opinion bullied me. After taking the issue to her manager and to HR, I was assigned the same manager as she has, which was communicated as a reorganization. This has also meant that she has had product responsibility […] Read the full article →
I’m training my replacement — and she’s condescending, rude, and won’t listen by Alison Green on September 25, 2019 A reader writes: I work for a small company and was given an even smaller department to manage about two years ago. The job can be complicated and sometimes stressful (very demanding clients) but mostly it’s been a great experience. Since I took on this role, it’s pretty much just me doing the day-to-day work […] Read the full article →
I can’t fire an awful employee, coworker wants to standardize email subjects, and more by Alison Green on September 25, 2019 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. I have an awful employee I can’t fire I am a supervisor at a facility that serves the public. Our job can be very rigorous and requires working long hours on our feet in all kind of weather conditions. It is often labor intensive and […] Read the full article →
the new overtime pay law is here (for real this time) by Alison Green on September 24, 2019 The U.S. Department of Labor issued a final ruling today on the question of what salary level should make workers exempt from overtime pay, and here it is: If you earn less than $35,568, then starting on January 1, 2020 you must be paid overtime (time and a half) when you work more than 40 hours […] Read the full article →
what are the ethics of poaching an employee from someone I know professionally? by Alison Green on September 24, 2019 A reader writes: I work with several other professionals. Basically, we are contractors who provide a management company a percentage of our earnings, and they take care of the other aspects of running a business (renting a space, IT, human resources, etc). I am not employed by them, but any support staff who I work […] Read the full article →
was my job interview full of red flags – or is it just me? by Alison Green on September 24, 2019 A reader writes: I’m wondering if a recent interview experience was normal or if I was right to run the other way. After months of searching, I finally got an interview. It wasn’t my dream company or dream job, but it was in my field and a great way to get started in a new […] Read the full article →
our coworker asked us to help him eat better — and I’m concerned for his health by Alison Green on September 24, 2019 A reader writes: I know you have discussed the office food police before and how to deal with them, but what if it’s policing someone who has asked for your help with their eating habits before and seems to have a possible eating disorder? I work in a very small office with less than 10 […] Read the full article →
my coworker flaked out on pet-sitting, are in-person rejections unkind, and more by Alison Green on September 24, 2019 It’s four answers to you questions. Here we go… 1. Coworker flaked out on pet-sitting and won’t return my keys I am a legal secretary and earlier this year asked one of the law students at work to mind my apartment and cats in exchange for free rent/utilities/etc. for two weeks. All was well, a […] Read the full article →