update: my boss has violent tantrums and punches holes in walls by Alison Green on April 28, 2020 It’s a special “where are you now?” season at Ask a Manager, when I’m running updates from people who had their letters here answered in the past. Remember the letter-writer whose boss had violent tantrums and punched holes in walls? Here’s the update. It was amazing to read by your answer and the comments that […] Read the full article →
my employee is strangely encouraging toward me by Alison Green on April 28, 2020 A reader writes: I have a newish direct report. He’s generally pretty good and is always supportive and encouraging towards his team, which is great. He’s also always encouraging and supportive towards people more senior to him, including me, which is getting less great. I hear a lot of, “That’s a really good idea, [myname]” […] Read the full article →
should I ask an employee to dress more professionally on video calls? by Alison Green on April 28, 2020 Work: still stressful, still weird. Here, some questions I’ve received recently about the new conditions we’re working with now: Should I ask an employee to dress more professionally on video calls? I am lucky to be able to work remotely during this crisis, which means multiple Zoom or Teams calls each day. I lead a […] Read the full article →
do I need to do something creative to get a job? by Alison Green on April 28, 2020 A reader writes: I finished my master’s degree about six months ago and have been searching for a job ever since. I’m currently working an unpaid internship in the field I want to work in, but it is unlikely to lead to a full-time, paid position. I have been continuing to apply to various positions […] Read the full article →
I saw my coworkers’ private messages mocking my weight, my coworker has permanently borrowed my laptop, and more by Alison Green on April 28, 2020 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. I saw my coworkers’ private messages mocking my weight I recently hosted a Zoom call for my work team. At the end of the call, I was sent the transcript for the meeting’s group chat, as it contained some important notes. I was also accidentally […] Read the full article →
update: I’m burned out and overworked and my bosses keep piling more work on me by Alison Green on April 27, 2020 I’m kicking off a special mid-year updates season, because we need it. Every day from now until the end of May, I’ll be running updates from people who had their letters answered here in the past (this will be on top of regular posts). Remember the letter-writer who was overworked and burned out and their bosses kept piling more work on them? […] Read the full article →
can I get unemployment if I quit due to health issues? by Alison Green on April 27, 2020 A reader writes: Are there any current protections for those who are high-risk for coronavirus but whose workplaces are operating on-site operations? Right now this is predominately essential workers, but some non-essential businesses as well (e.g., bookstores offering curbside pick-up). If I have asthma and live with family, including my elderly relative who has COPD, […] Read the full article →
my two employees don’t like each other by Alison Green on April 27, 2020 A reader writes: I’m a manager in a small, privately owned company. We do not have an HR department. I have two employees who just cannot get along. They are constantly coming to me to complain about one another over the most minor things. (Example: Sarah thinks Kate speaks too loudly on the phone.) If […] Read the full article →
my coworker keeps telling me how to do my job (and she’s often wrong) by Alison Green on April 27, 2020 A reader writes: I started a new job at the end of February as the communications manager for a small nonprofit. I’m really lucky that our grants and the work that we do haven’t been disrupted by COVID-19, but it’s been a bit of a rocky start. I’m having some trouble with one coworker in […] Read the full article →
work happy hours without the boss, I was told to cover up my scars at work, and more by Alison Green on April 27, 2020 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Work happy hours without the boss – AITA? I work at a small (fewer than 20 staff) nonprofit. We have two types of employees: the ones who work directly with clients (like me) and the managers/administrators. Sometimes, we direct service providers have disagreements with management […] Read the full article →