how can I stop softening the message in tough conversations with my staff? by Alison Green on January 17, 2022 I’m on vacation today. This was originally published in 2015. A reader writes: I’m a relatively new manager of a small team, and while I do have a lot of strengths as a manager, I’ve also discovered that I have no idea how to communicate directly. Even when I think I am being direct, I […] Read the full article →
update: I hate my boss’s mandatory Zoom happy hours by Alison Green on January 17, 2022 Remember the letter-writer who hated her boss’s mandatory Zoom happy hours? Here’s the update. The advice was, in fact, very helpful—thank you. In the next meeting that was held after my letter was published, with your advice, I just … didn’t attend. I didn’t give an excuse, just declined the RVSP and waited for the […] Read the full article →
fired for forwarding resumes to myself, boss wants me to buy everyone expensive coffee, and more by Alison Green on January 17, 2022 It’s MLK Day and I’m off today so here are some letters buried in the archives from years ago. 1. I was fired for forwarding resumes to myself I’d like to get your opinion on an incident a few years back in my first internship out of school. I had just completed the four-month contract, and […] Read the full article →
weekend open thread – January 15-16, 2022 by Alison Green on January 15, 2022 This comment section is open for any non-work-related discussion you’d like to have with other readers, by popular demand. Here are the rules for the weekend posts. Book recommendation of the week: Ghosts, by Dolly Alderton. It’s light but it’s dark. It’s a rom com but it’s more. It’s about ghosting but it’s also about aging parents and […] Read the full article →
it’s your Friday good news by Alison Green on January 14, 2022 It’s your Friday good news! 1. “I have been an avid reader of AAM for 6 years, having stumbled upon your website when I was making the leap back into work after having my first child. In 2017, after working in restaurants in a well-known food metropolis for almost 20 years and as a chef […] Read the full article →
open thread – January 14-15, 2022 by Alison Green on January 14, 2022 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 (that includes school). If you want an answer from me, emailing me is still your best bet*, but this is a chance to talk to other readers. * […] Read the full article →
I was kicked out of a work lunch because I couldn’t eat, attracting employees when we can’t pay more, and more by Alison Green on January 14, 2022 It’s four answers to four questions. Here we go… 1. I was kicked out of a work lunch because there was nothing I could eat This happened a few years ago, pre-Covid, but I would still appreciate your input on it. I was a part of the voluntary team that helped to plan, organize, and […] Read the full article →
how to respond to unclear “let me know when you have some time” requests by Alison Green on January 13, 2022 A reader writes: I’m in a sort-of HR role, where it’s normal for colleagues to need my guidance on certain things. Sometimes it’s a quick policy question, sometimes it’s much more in depth, and very often there are legal considerations that mean the question should actually be directed to our legal or payroll departments. Because […] Read the full article →
update: can I ask for a raise after covering for remote coworkers for over a year? by Alison Green on January 13, 2022 Remember the letter-writer wondering if they could ask for a raise after covering for remote coworkers for over a year (#3 at the link)? Here’s the update. There have been a lot of recent developments at my work in the months since I’ve written to you and I finally have an update to share! I took […] Read the full article →
my coworker tried to film her pregnancy announcement and now there is chaos by Alison Green on January 13, 2022 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: So this is an enragingly dumb breach of basic manners and I need to know I’m not crazy. I’m technically in an executive role but I don’t have authority over people, just finances, but I was told I should have “acted like a better manager” […] Read the full article →