March 2023

weekend open thread – April 1-2, 2023

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: Sam, by Allegra Goodman. This follows Sam from age seven though young adulthood as she navigates a father who comes and goes, a mother […]

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it’s your Friday good news

It’s your Friday good news! 1.  “I’m a long-time reader of your site and wanted to thank you for your work. It has been a huge influence in my success as a manager. I am a woman without a degree, working in a departmental leadership role in higher ed. My department has been good to […]

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open thread – March 31-April 1, 2023

It’s the Friday open thread! The comment section on this post is open for discussion with other readers on any work-related questions 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 take your questions to […]

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update: should I report my fatphobic boss or am I being too sensitive?

Remember the letter-writer wondering whether to report her fatphobic boss? Here’s the update. As a recap, I was really struggling with my grandboss, Miranda, and her lack of boundaries, particularly about my changing body after I had a medical issue and procedure that resulted in me losing about 100 pounds. I’m doing well now health-wise […]

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what are the best and worst pranks you’ve seen at work?

In preparation for April Fools’ Day on Saturday, let’s discuss pranks at work. One thing I’ve learned writing this column is that pranks are a lot more controversial than I’d previously realized. Some people see all pranks as inherently mean-spirited and thus never okay at work. I’d argue, though, that plenty of pranks aren’t mean-spirited, land […]

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