someone stole my work history, my coworkers are angry about an HR investigation, and more by Alison Green on January 24, 2020 It’s four answers to four questions. Here we go… 1. My coworker made up stories about my medical condition, HR is investigating, and my coworkers are upset I had a mastectomy in November. I didn’t tell my coworkers that I was having this procedure done because the last thing I wanted was people drawing attention […] Read the full article →
what to do if your references aren’t available by Alison Green on January 23, 2020 A reader writes: This question mostly applies to people working at small businesses where there is one manager and a few employees. I’ve always been told references should be whoever you reported to and/or whoever can evaluate your work. How can I provide a reference to potential future employers when the boss isn’t available or […] Read the full article →
updates: the tenant requesting money, the bad friend employee, and more by Alison Green on January 23, 2020 Here are three updates from people who had their letters answered here in the past. 1. My former tenant’s “manager” is requesting money for her time spent on a lease dispute At first I did not contact Sara’s employer as I did not want the situation to escalate, either for me or the other tenants […] Read the full article →
let’s talk about bombed interviews and other job search mortifications by Alison Green on January 23, 2020 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: Today I had the worst job interview of my entire life. I am a young graduate professional who had the opportunity for a job that would have put my in a great position financially and mentally. It wasn’t a dream job, because those don’t exist, […] Read the full article →
interviewing when you might be moving, coworker told people about my husband’s criminal record, and more by Alison Green on January 23, 2020 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Interviewing when I might need to quit the job quickly After two years in a freelance position, I’ve begun interviewing for in-house roles in my city. I’ve had some hesitation about doing this because, while I am really eager to find a consistent position, there […] Read the full article →
is it okay to drink before a presentation? by Alison Green on January 22, 2020 A reader writes: Presentations are a small but regular part of my role, but I often get nervous and end up hurting my message by criticizing my slides, adding excess caveats to my points, and just general blunders from lacking confidence. Last time I presented, I discreetly took a few swigs of vodka a few […] Read the full article →
do I apologize to my employees too often? by Alison Green on January 22, 2020 A reader writes: I’m a new manager at a company where I’ve worked for years. In trying to adjust to the role, I’m realizing that I’m the sort of person who says “sorry” a lot. I’m not always doing it to take the blame on myself; I’m often doing it because to show empathy and […] Read the full article →
my assistant uses eating to avoid working by Alison Green on January 22, 2020 A reader writes: I am a new manager at a nonprofit and have just been assigned an entry-level administrative assistant who has been failing to make deadlines, has been repeating preventable mistakes, and has major issues with focusing at work. She tangled with her last manager because she felt attacked when asked to explain missed […] Read the full article →
I was forced to sing at a company dinner, coworker ties up our only bathroom, and more by Alison Green on January 22, 2020 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. I was forced to sing at a company dinner Recently I left a job of 10 years because of a great opportunity. Two weeks into this job, I’m at a dinner with my whole team, high bosses, and special guests. One of the high bosses […] Read the full article →
how do you deal with professional insults followed by with “I’m just kidding”? by Alison Green on January 21, 2020 A reader writes: Fortunately this isn’t a problem I’m dealing with anymore. The offending party left my company. However, the tactic they used still bothers me, and I was wondering if you had any advice about it. The problem coworker was a manager in another department. I count my lucky stars that I didn’t report […] Read the full article →