Archives Looking for past posts? You can find posts from 2018 below, or find earlier years here: 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2018 January February March April May June July August September October November November 2018 my employer fined me $90 for being late my clothes are too dressy for my new job, will anyone deal with my awful boss, and more update: a client sent me a thank-you check as a way to avoid paying my boss you need to write a better cover letter can I read erotica on work breaks? my team doesn’t do any personal development, my coworker keeps telling me to reply-all, and more my coworker gets away with everything why don’t employers send job rejections anymore? open toe shoes at work, my friend let her teenager do her work, and more weekend free-for-all – November 10-11, 2018 where are you now? (a call for updates) open thread – November 9-10, 2018 my friend doesn’t understand work, my coworker sent me unsolicited advice about quitting gracefully, and more my coworker gave my kid $20 and told him to keep it a secret how can I get my coworker to stop gossiping to me? how do you throw a great office holiday party? my employee spends too much time pontificating, manager made me stay at work sick and soiled, and more how to tell your boss “that’s not my job” my team is overworked — and I’m the boss my manager said I need more confidence — what does that mean? is it rude to refuse to talk on the phone, how to tell my boss “I already did that,” and more update: I’ve let my CEO think I’m engaged to a woman but I’m not 10 questions you should ask your interviewer I overshared with my office about a Tinder date and it didn’t work out are jeans holding me back, can I mute my coworker’s texts, and more I’m helping a peer with a project and she’s wasting a huge amount of my time my boss uses an offensive slur must I hire a qualified candidate with a ton of baggage? allergic coworker’s food demands, office-borrowing etiquette, and more weekend free-for-all – November 3-4, 2018 you need to ask for more money open thread – November 2-3, 2018 my coworker is keeping a notebook about me, should I say something about my coworker’s self-harm scars, and more what subjects are totally off-limits for office chat? my boss lies about deadlines what not-so-professional behavior are you proud of and would do again? my coworker signed me up for a racist organization as a joke, and more October 2018 how to be successful without hurting men’s feelings when work gets spooky my coworker drops F-bombs all day long heading off pregnancy talk at work, my office thinks the Christmas party is secular, and more our intern won’t stop talking — but I can’t tell her I need to get back to work I can’t keep helping my work BFF do her job how much grooming do I really need to do? should I penalize a candidate for an infographic resume, my employee is horrified by pests in our old building, and more my boss is burning out nightmare on Dilbert’s street — workplace Halloween horror shows my boss had his wife do my coworker’s assignment having my baby on video conferences, bumper stickers when you drive clients in your car, and more weekend free-for-all – October 27-28, 2018 open thread – October 26-27, 2018 my boss’s wife wants me to organize their house, employee wants a demotion, and more did this recruiter lie to me? and why can’t I get hired by this company? my assistant refuses to call in when she’s out sick ask the readers: what past work behavior do you now cringe over? my boss took away the tools I need for my job, coworkers on speakerphone, and more my new job is a nightmare built on a hellmouth my new job isn’t what I signed up for my entry-level employee gave me a bunch of off-base “constructive criticism” my coworker won’t use the phone, my coworker has her husband on video chat all day long, and more updates from letter writers (the nude sauna, the aggressive dog, and more) can informational interviews actually be useful? my boss is annoyed that I stayed out late drinking during a three-day work event good employee is angry about bad employee, avoiding cooing over coworkers’ kids, and more my employee keeps adjusting himself while we’re talking one of our coworkers isn’t flushing the toilet I’m the smelly coworker former coworkers crashed my networking party, using a fake voice in an interview, and more weekend free-for-all – October 20-21, 2018 here is your happy ending for the week open thread – October 19-20, 2018 CFO shoots rubber bands at people, putting “MBA” after your name, and more can we make hot-desking work in our office? my boss insists on knowing how I’ll spend my time off is it bad to take mentorship from someone who can be awful to others? can I discipline a job candidate who no-showed, I’m getting reference fatigue, and more what’s up with interviewers working on their laptops during interviews? my boss is a jerk — but only to me my employee keeps saying “at my last job, we did it a different way” how to respond to “sorry I’m late” when it’s a problem, coworker gets extra time off, and more my boss wants to bring me back into the religious fold my coworker is rude and insubordinate is the COO’s daughter trying to take my job? I walked in on two amorous coworkers, calling in sick after a vacation day was denied, and more I’m drowning in too much work why do employers play coy games about salary? how do I tell an interviewer about my hobbies when my hobbies are kind of boring? pranking a coworker who’s afraid of clowns, my mother might call my coworkers, and more weekend free-for-all – October 13-14, 2018 me, talking about awkward conversations and politics at work open thread – October 12-13, 2018 our “unpaid intern” is paid $42,000/year, my clients can’t make up their minds, and more a client sent me a thank-you check as a way to avoid paying my boss why do our meetings run on so long? I’ve let my CEO think I’m engaged to a woman but I’m not I tell employers I’m the best candidate for the job, I was ghosted after paying for my own interview travel, and more my staff tells me what they’re doing rather than asking permission people say my tone sounds mean my office does “Fat Friday” – and I have an eating disorder should I tell my mom she’s unprofessional, wearing a “please interrupt me” badge, and more update: my coworker asked me to pose topless for an “anatomy textbook” my coworkers all hang out without me our disruptively cheerful new coworker treats us like toddlers am I being considered for too many jobs, my former tenant’s manager is requesting money from me, and more are short interviews always a bad sign? my coworker sucks at her job and my manager won’t address it the company president took my chair and I’m sick of being disrespected how to help an employee in crisis, I vouched for my friend and he’s terrible, and more weekend free-for-all – October 6-7, 2018 open thread – October 5-6, 2018 what should I do when a see a coworker’s fly is down, can I review a rude interviewer, and more how to answer when your interviewer asks, “how do you relieve stress?” do you have to answer every interview question perfectly? ask the readers: how accurate are Glassdoor reviews? meal trains for coworkers in crisis, I have more experience than my resume indicates, and more how should I act after reporting my boss to HR? am I the annoying intern? my boss says I ask “why?” too often my coworker is telling everyone he wants to ask me out, should I admit I had a nose job, and more how should I handle outside emails about our employees that seem vindictive? how to turn down a job offer is it okay for my employees to say they’re “just not cut out for public speaking”? I have a spider phobia and my boss has a spider, can I ask to give my raise to my coworkers instead, and more can I call in sick from work because of acne? why are so many job interviewers terrible? my company made a counter-offer to keep me — and now is attaching strings to it did I signal disinterest in the job, I found the interview questions ahead of my interview, and more September 2018 weekend free-for-all – September 29-30, 2018 open thread – September 28-29, 2018 coworker asked me to pose topless, how do I stop people from offering condolences, and more do internal candidates have a better chance at the job? my office contacts me all weekend long let’s talk about functional workplaces can public support of a fired employee hurt them, my boss talks to me like I’m a baby, and more how do I keep people from using way too much of my boss’s time in meetings? I don’t have enough work to keep me busy my team doesn’t ask managers to hang out with them when going to a nude sauna with coworkers, what do I do about nipple piercings? … and other questions should I leave my awful job with great pay and great benefits? how do I get over losing out on a promotion? my husband’s boss/our friend is sleeping with their married department head I have way too much vacation time, asking my husband’s boss to secretly okay time off, and more does it look bad to be unavailable on one of the dates an employer suggests for an interview? my employee is chronically late to work everyone is frustrated with my “lazy” coworker, but she’s actually hiding a serious illness boss is avoiding meetings about an important project, my employees didn’t contact me after my surgery, and more weekend free-for-all – September 22-23, 2018 open thread – September 21-22, 2018 employee calls out sick because she “ate too much,” texting cute photos to people on vacation, and more a salary negotiation success story my coworker treats me like his assistant my roommate doesn’t understand what it means to have a job using unlimited time off to work a second job, a sexist conference organizer, and more if I didn’t have enough experience, why did they bother to interview me? my boss yells, and it’s scaring my coworker my former employee is badmouthing me to my staff coworker is blasting us with vanilla pumpkin fragrance, Xanax at work, and more the bad acid deal, the abusive boyfriend, and the threatening coworker how to ask for more vacation time my coworker gives everyone the silent treatment for weeks mandatory flu shots at work, helping a coworker through an international flight, and more how can I brace myself for my toxic new job? the office that became a circus of barking dogs and other tales of dogs at work I accidentally embarrassed my friend’s boss — but I was right about what I said I don’t want to be the office baker, interviewer was put off by how often I called in sick, and more weekend free-for-all – September 15-16, 2018 open thread – September 14-15, 2018 my coworker plays Christian rock all day, contacting strangers on LinkedIn, and more what is going on with hugging at work? can I turn down a networking request? tell us your weird summer intern stories my coworker is blaming someone else for an anonymous complaint I made, dress code changes, and more I’m embarrassed that I went to an elite college and failed to do anything with my degree I’m bad at taking feedback my office has a mandatory feelings chart you might need term life insurance (and here’s how to get it) dating a professor’s son, did I mishandle my time off request, and more my bombastic coworker is pushing me over the edge here’s a step-by-step guide to preparing for a job interview I showed up drunk to a work event my mom says coloring my hair is unprofessional, candidates who apply for too many jobs, and more 5 updates: the coworkers secretly bringing kids to work, asking someone to change her name, and more should the CEO’s kid get special treatment? my new office works torturously long hours my managers are disrespectful to people, my company wants to do group interviews, and more weekend free-for-all – September 8-9, 2018 open thread – September 7-8, 2018 my coworker gave someone a tattoo at work, I don’t want to be my boss’s chauffeur, and more I was about to ask for a 20% raise — but they offered me 5% before I had the chance how do I get out of political discussions at work? I don’t want to be caught in a Nerf gun battle at work can I protest our new office location, my boss’s badly-behaved dog comes to work every day, and more HR wants our personal cell numbers in our out-of-office messages so we can always be contacted I need to be more confident at work how can I help an employee who has no attention to detail? here’s a massive discount on the Ask a Manager job-searching bible new employer says I can’t wear my wedding ring, does it look bad to send emails late at night, and more update: my dad is dating my boss, and they want me to go to couples therapy with them more people cry at work than you think I have too many ideas for my boss my coworker keeps making me do my old job, manager doesn’t believe I’m sick, and more Ask a Manager in the media Labor Day open thread I don’t like writing as a team, I’m embarrassed about photos of me used in work materials, and more weekend free-for-all -September 1-2, 2018 August 2018 open thread – August 31-September 1, 2018 coworker brings food to every meeting, pushing back on daily morning meetings, and more our group member has a fragrance sensitivity – and we’re supposed to be hugged to check for any scents I don’t want to hire my former employee ask the readers: how do you balance your job demands with kids, marriage, and other commitments? our company is teaching us about a new coworker’s (possible) religion, I got drunk on a work trip, and more our CEO challenged someone to eat dead bugs my out-of-control emotions are getting me in trouble at work how much is it my responsibility to remind coworkers of deadlines? can I ask my husband’s boss not to renew someone’s contract, keeping personal files at work my office space is completely open and I can’t concentrate my boss is giving us the silent treatment sick coworker says he can’t work alone my coworker is hiding a DUI from our employer, no one at work noticed my haircut, and more should I push back against getting annual bonuses instead of raises? what does it mean to manage up? job candidate’s wife keeps contacting me, even after I’ve told her to stop job candidate talked non-stop, expecting an employee to pick up lunch for others, and more weekend free-for-all – August 25-26, 2018 my coworker argues with every decision I make open thread – August 24-25, 2018 boss invited our whole office on a 10-day cruise, I had a disturbing dream about an employee, and more team-building events are weird and not very useful my boss will give me a bad reference what are the bare minimum benefits an employer needs to provide? I’ve become the office seamstress, is it OK to block someone from being hired, and more beware of bosses handing out “crap sandwiches” Evil HR Lady, bedbugs and work, and more my coworker is badmouthing my work – and some of her complaints are true should people with bad commutes get more leeway for lateness, bringing in snacks for coworkers, and more how can I tactfully point out to coworkers that a miscommunication error is theirs? how to answer the most common job interview questions how do I resign when my boss is a horrible person who will yell and insult me? should you put hobbies on your resume, I want to leave early when work is slow, and more should I apply for jobs that don’t sound great? the 8 worst boss horror stories you’ve ever heard our employee says she’s not comfortable having her desk near men coworkers are secretly bringing kids to work, excessive interview assignment, and more weekend free-for-all – August 18-19, 2018 my coworkers keep complaining about me open thread – August 17-18, 2018 coworker trash-talks Millennials, is it better to send a perfect application or apply right away, and more should I ask for a pay cut if my work isn’t very good? is a really fast interview invitation a danger sign? ask the readers: what have you liked and disliked about belonging to a union? my screen share showed an inappropriate tab during a meeting, my boss’s son is a reckless driver, and more how can I write warmer emails without resorting to emojis? my assistant keeps mothering me — and calls us “her kids” my boss talks about her kids non-stop giving a coworker a “World’s Greatest Dad” mug, is it rude to answer a voicemail with an email, and more can I call an employer back with additional questions about why I was rejected? my boss is having sex in the office my employee isn’t doing her job — but I think she’s in an abusive relationship I disagree with my restaurant’s new policies to fight drug use, should we make job offers by email, and more I saw an email from my boss saying it’s a “relief” I’m quitting your workplace isn’t your family — and that’s OK do I have to teach my coworkers my hard-earned skills? my family business is a mess, I give a really low salary expectation, and more weekend free-for-all – August 11-12, 2018 are work parties really just … work? open thread – August 10-11, 2018 can local businesses ethically accept volunteer help, are quick “thanks!” emails annoying, and more 4 updates from letter-writers (the office supplies, the delayed honeymoon, and more) should I be worried I’m overpaid? what glorious all-staff emails/memos/rants have you received at work? director is asking about my struggling coworker, an ethical dilemma, and more is my husband’s chronic unhappiness at work really about him, not his jobs? I’m so burned out at work I manage an easily distracted manager, and it’s frustrating her employees my old boss got my coworker fired from her new job, awkward elevator encounter with the CEO, and more 5 updates (sleeping in the office, the engagement ring, and more) how to explain your weaknesses in a job interview my very nice coworkers talk to me like I’m a child – and I think it’s because of my autism taking weeks off a new job to let a tattoo heal, our intern brings slime to work, and more update: my boss wants to give me his kidney — but I don’t want it (second update) is it OK to take vacations and share clothes with your boss? our fundraiser lets us “pie a manager in the face” my boss pushes me to take vacation days I don’t have, my coworker uses lolspeak, and more weekend free-for-all – August 4-5, 2018 Ask a Manager in the media open thread – August 3-4, 2018 I was led out to a parking lot mid-interview, is it better to apply to jobs on Mondays, and more 4 updates from letter-writers (the coworker with panic attacks, interviewing with hair loss, and more) my nosy coworker keeps joining my conversations ask the readers: helping a coworker who’s grieving visible bra lines at work, my boss repeats my ideas as his own, and more angry boss writing angry memos – the next installment how can I get more feedback from my boss? I think my life coach is giving me bad advice bad morale “points of no return,” my office book club is always late, and more July 2018 how do I handle questions about my religion at work meetings? my new job is all admin work — and I didn’t sign up for this my coworker brings her five kids to our work meetings cook dinner without all the work my boss chastised me about my menstrual cramps, job-searching with four vacations already booked, and more am I supposed to confirm interviews the day before? my employee keeps venting to his coworkers but won’t talk to me I suck at my job but am otherwise a delightful person throwing a grandmother shower for a coworker, boss’s new ideas go nowhere, and more weekend free-for-all – July 28-29, 2018 open thread – July 27-28, 2018 asking for lots of unpaid time off, a job interview at 11 p.m., and more is it bad to lay people off instead of firing them? my client wants me to be constantly available ask the readers: moving back to mainstream jobs after sex work pushy recruiter, sleepy employee, people eating at their desks, and more my coworker is a terrible driver — and I have to ride with him on work trips I’m the boss’s daughter my toxic former employee is still spreading negativity on my staff I don’t want to pick up my boss after surgery, my coworker is on a PIP, and more will my taste in office supplies seem weird or unprofessional? how to explain to your interviewer why you left a previous job my employer requires us all to do tai chi in the office my employee trash-talks herself, I hurt my employee’s feelings, and more can I ask my boss to calm down? stop obsessively re-reading that email from your job interviewer … it doesn’t mean anything my coworker says her husband died — but he didn’t my boss takes all the work, a rogue parker, and more weekend free-for-all – July 21-22, 2018 open thread – July 20-21, 2018 I’m being thanked way too much, I get mis-gendered on the phone, and more my coworker keeps interrupting me in person rather than emailing, despite my many requests will my employee be demoralized by a coworker’s promotion? ask the readers: how do I get people to remember me? organizing an all-men beach weekend for coworkers, is gossip beneficial at work, and more my employee works late every night, but it seems to be her fault how to manage an overly talkative intern update: my intern is refusing assignments because of her politics is it okay to write someone’s cover letter for them, a mysterious fragrance, and more how much do I need to alter my own schedule for a job interview? should I use a job offer to get a raise at my current job? my child-free coworkers constantly complain about people with children coworker wants a bigger retirement party than we want to fund, really intense job listings, and more can I nap on my break? should I go around HR and contact the hiring manager directly? my coworker dumps emotions all over us and wants to be coddled my boss wants a team outing to a gun range, employer wants to discuss my “hot mess” cover letter, and more weekend free-for-all – July 14-15, 2018 record a question for the Ask a Manager podcast open thread – July 13-14, 2018 how confidential are job searches, I’m the office nail trimmer, and more interviewer wants me to write a fake performance review for my future self my employee says her errors are just “enthusiasm” is it better to love my job or love the money? employee is pushing for a job she’s not qualified for, my boss sent me a job posting from another organization, and more I don’t have enough work for my employees and it’s stressing me out the lazy coworker — with Han and Matt Know It All my coworker rejects any ideas that aren’t her own, then suggests them herself asking to work from home when it’s really hot out, happy hour hurt feelings, and more you don’t need to follow your dreams how to quit your job my intern is refusing assignments because of her politics asking for a chance to process things before responding, taking a two-month vacation at a new job, and more how can I dress professionally in horrible summer heat? is it okay to say “no” at work? my boss kept calling my wife to find me .. and now he won’t stop texting her apologies for all the calls how can I get my coworkers to chip in for snacks, everyone but me is going on a business trip, and more weekend free-for-all – July 7-8, 2018 open thread – July 6-7, 2018 how can I give back work I regret taking on, coming to work while recovering from a chemical peel, and more my coworker was a jerk to me and now I want to stop being friendly at work what should your tone sound like when you’re the boss? ask the readers: my husband is awful at job searching – and gets cranky when he needs to my vendor laid off my mom, leaving early every day in an internship, and more 4th of July open thread everyone in my office works while they’re on vacation my boss yells and is abusive my coworker tries to guilt-trip people should I give my boss a heads-up about my half-sleeve tattoo, I cried on a client call, and more how to tell an assistant “don’t tell me the process — just fix it!” negotiating more time off, sharing trip photos, and other questions about vacation my coworkers won’t speak up about problems did this goodbye email overstep, problematic volunteer events, and more June 2018 weekend free-for-all – June 30-July 1, 2018 Ask a Manager in the media open thread – June 29-30, 2018 should HR reveal an employee is planning to quit, boss lets us leave early but it’s a secret, and more our summer intern won’t use first names I got embarrassingly drunk at a work event ask the readers: what have you seen go wrong while living or traveling with coworkers? my manager bombards me with email, coworker takes too much food at meetings, and more should I be this emotionally drained by managing? how to deal with an angry, disruptive coworker my employees eavesdropped on my private conversation and gossiped about it my mom is my HR manager and it’s not good, I walked in on my boss crying, and more I like talking crap about my coworkers on chat at work — will my manager find out? how to write a thank-you note after a job interview how can I stop my office’s “I’m sorry” culture? coworker is picky about restaurants when we eat out, can I bring coffee to a job interview, and more my mom wants to come with me to a professional conference and isn’t taking no for an answer why do so many adults want to leave anonymous notes for their coworkers? my employee gets stressed and frustrated and snaps at me I’ve found your new personal shopper problem employee or youthful hijinks, music in a shared hotel room, and more weekend free-for-all – June 23-24, 2018 I want my coworkers to stop venting to me open thread – June 22-23, 2018 our remote staff want the same perks we have at the office, crappy LinkedIn tips, and more can I go barefoot at work? updates: the soda policer, the person who slept through a day of work, and more how do you deal with freelancer terror? my friend might get fired, coworker spoke for the group without checking with us, and more when I asked for a raise, my boss said I was ungrateful and threw a tantrum the clingy coworker — and the return of the Ask a Manager podcast my employee isn’t respected by his coworkers — what can I do? I was rejected for a job I was qualified for, a coworker in a beach cover-up, and more how do I handle changing my name and job because of a stalker? how can I avoid my boss on social media? my coworker never stops talking — and I mean NEVER my boss reminds me to do basic tasks, should I stand up when my manager comes to my desk, and more people keep sending me job postings that are way below my skill level I showed up for an interview on the wrong day my boss wants us to all share our mental health needs – at every meeting employer will only reimburse travel if I accept their offer, tired of covering for a slacking coworker, and more weekend free-for-all – June 16-17, 2018 open thread – June 15-16, 2018 my boss won’t let me give my staff feedback in case it hurts their feelings, and more an employer told me I was their back-up candidate in case their first choice didn’t work out my coworker keeps pushing junk food on me ask the readers: should I talk to my employee about her sex offender boyfriend? hiring a candidate with controversial political views, my boss doesn’t like it when women curse, and more how can I hire good candidates to work in a dysfunctional environment? it is okay to clip your nails at work? I’m ashamed of my past behavior at work — do I need to change fields? my coworker owes me money and won’t pay it back, my coworker’s panic attacks are affecting my work, and more I google my coworkers — is that weird? how to write a resume that doesn’t suck is it weird to start dressing like my boss? calling out offensive comments about mental health, coworker asks me to do her admin work, and more my coworker interrupts my work to ask why I look so serious how bad jobs warp your sense of what’s normal our coworker has filled the office fridge with old, moldy food and refuses to toss it intern candidate told me I’m “not with the times,” senior managers are unprepared for meetings, and more weekend free-for-all – June 9-10, 2018 open thread – June 8-9, 2018 I resent my coworkers for having full-time work, rejecting a job applicant for being rude, and more what’s up with job ads that include “sense of humor”? the new Ask a Manager book is an audiobook too! ask the readers: should I date my boss’s daughter? the “office couple” decided to swap jobs, declining the lunch portion of an interview, and more I don’t want to tell my boundary-violating boss I’m pregnant my top employee constantly texts and surfs the web my coworkers keep trying to find out what my chronic illness is my boss keeps rotting food in our shared office, my performance review mentioned that I pee a lot, and more someone spends an hour a day putting on makeup in our shared bathroom my coworker’s kid disrupts our office every day why do managers say they want feedback and then get annoyed when they get it? coworker is secretly taking photos of dress code violations, manager misses early-morning meetings, and more update: my boss wants to give me his kidney — but I don’t want it office kitchen wars, finding a good internship, and more my coworker follows up on projects way too much having a coworker walk my dog, interviewer asked what I’ve handled poorly in my personal life, and more weekend free-for-all – June 2-3, 2018 open thread – June 1-2, 2018 my boss uses a human skeleton as office decor, declining an awards dinner, and more May 2018 can I wear a backpack with a suit? update: my boss is being a jerk about my gym time my coworker keeps demanding I say “please” I had a fling with my boss’s son; pink, scented resumes; and more my coworker has started faking a British accent can I ask if a coworker will be fired? can I tell a recruiter how rude it was to ghost me after my interview? an affair is causing drama at work, video thank-you notes, and more when I tried to negotiate, employer told me to decline the offer first how to write a great cover letter why do so many parents give terrible work advice to their kids? how to convince my boss I need an assistant, mozzarella mayhem, and more how to take feedback gracefully, without getting defensive questioning an employee about how sick they really are, a sugar-stealing coworker, and more weekend free-for-all – May 26-27, 2018 Ask a Manager in the media open thread – May 25-26, 2018 can I ask my company to pay for a cat sitter when I travel, my coworker calls me “honey bunny,” and more update: my mother is a destructive force in my professional life updates: the website delusions of grandeur, the pushy gym trainer, and more do I need to have a better sense of humor at work? I’ve been crying in front of my boss, are phone rejections more respectful, and more can you contact a hiring manager with questions before applying for a job? what’s the best day of the week to apply for a job? what to say if an interviewer asks about your favorite books or movies can I ask a new hire to use a nickname, manager asks for money for food and gas, and more update: I’m about to go on medical leave, but I’m also hoping to take my long-delayed honeymoon how does your job interviewer find out what you’re really like? my boss wants to give me his kidney — but I don’t want it coworker uses icebreakers in every meeting, is it wrong to fake enthusiasm in a job interview, and more what to do if you hate your job come see me in NYC on Tuesday night my boss’s dog keeps attacking my coworkers I’m sick of being the office printer lady new hire wants to print everything, how can I make myself look less qualified, and more weekend free-for-all – May 19-20, 2018 open thread – May 18-19, 2018 sharing an office when people are fasting, IT remotely accessed my laptop when I asked them not to, and more my contact won’t stop pressuring me to volunteer while I’m on medical leave 13 actually effective ways to handle difficult/awful/frustrating coworkers the 18-month coffee debate, and other stories of office coffee wars my noisy coworker won’t mute himself on conference calls, checking references after someone’s hired, and more my boss has delusions of grandeur about our website — do I have to burst his bubble? when the job you’re interviewing for keeps changing how can I stop panicking every day that I might get fired? Blue Apron got me to eat raisins in pasta coworker interrupts conversations, accepting a beverage at a meeting if no one else does, and more my daughter refuses to tell interviewers why she left her last job my boss got fired and won’t leave me alone I’m about to go on medical leave, but I’m also hoping to take my long-delayed honeymoon my boss gave all the women flowers for Mother’s Day, I was demoted because of a horrific act by my employee, and more I won money on a work trip to Vegas – do I have to donate it to my employer? is it normal to get incredibly nervous about telling your boss you’re quitting? should I take more maternity leave than I want to “set a good example” for other women in my organization? I’m supposed to do a 90-minute presentation at an interview, no one at work acknowledges my life events, and more some things about my mom weekend free-for-all – May 12-13, 2018 open thread – May 11-12, 2018 vendor hugs everyone, sharing interview questions ahead of time, and more do I really need to stay at work late to “show dedication”? update: my position is being renewed, but my manager isn’t considering me for it love letters as writing samples, the candidate who spoke Pirate, and other tales of amazing resumes husband wants me to travel on his work trips for support, withdrawing an application over low salary, and more a consultant complains about our off-site meetings but doesn’t want to skip them buy the new Ask a Manager book for your team my dad is dating my boss, and they want me to go to couples therapy with them my boss thinks my salary is too high, bringing a boyfriend to the company picnic, and more is it rude to write “ASAP” in an email? everything you need to know about maternity leave in the U.S. what happens if I get hired at a dog-friendly company when I’m allergic to dogs? unlimited time off, I don’t want to talk about my vacation, and more when writing to a hiring manager, should I mention a shared hobby? I gossiped and now my coworker doesn’t trust me my boss is being a jerk about my gym time my boss doesn’t want my husband to visit on a work trip, employee is too rushed in the morning, and more weekend free-for-all – May 5-6, 2018 open thread – May 4-5, 2018 employer would require us to live in their city, when an ex harasses you at work, and more can I ask my manager to coach me on being more professional? update: I don’t want to eat or travel alone with people of the opposite sex ask the readers: do I tell my oblivious colleague why he’s not working as much as he’d like? my mentor keeps delaying our meetings, can I ask coworkers to use deodorant, and more Ask a Manager on Buzzfeed, Ask a Clean Person, and more my boss keeps assigning my work to other people my boss follows me into the bathroom to talk about work my boss killed my plant, CEO wants everyone to donate their pay back to the organization, and more how can I stop showing off at work? exactly what to say in 10 tricky job interview conversations the Ask a Manager book is now on sale — let’s discuss it! coworkers use me as tech support, coworker is demanding thank-you rewards, and more April 2018 me talking about my new book, recent letters, children’s books, and more we have a plague of overly aggressive networkers my boss discourages us from using our health insurance a client is trying to rope me into a MLM, receptionist says we can’t email her during her vacation, and more weekend free-for-all – April 28-29, 2018 open thread – April 27-28, 2018 my coworker has a podcast about sex, I declined a promotion then changed my mind, and more how to deal with a client who’s always late or no-shows update: I’m competing for a promotion against a coworker who outdoes me how quickly should I respond to interview invitations? candidate said she’d relocate but then backtracked, employee plays with her hair in meetings, and more we need to end Secretaries Day what your tone should sound like in tricky work conversations is it okay to blindside your boss when quitting? who pays for coffee, combining an interview and a trip, and more get your signed copy of the new Ask a Manager book now my coworker won’t stop complaining about work my boss pressures me to take sick leave, but I can’t afford to my boss is super excited about The Voice, coworkers are late with edits every week, and more my coworker abuses our office IM program I don’t want to spend a week in a remote cabin with coworkers while I’m pregnant I don’t want to have a boss I don’t want to take 2 weeks off, coworker has a “food emergency” every other day, and more weekend free-for-all – April 21-22, 2018 open thread – April 20-21, 2018 should I create an Instagram for my dog to make me stand out to interviewers, and more company offered me a job, then yanked the offer, then re-listed the position my employee is snarky and rude bitterly fought office coffee wars: share your stories I branched out at work and was criticized for it, boss wants me to follow up on everything with emails, and more my employee helped a fired coworker get a job with her fiance and lied to me about it what should a salary negotiation sound like? can I show armpit hair at work? employee overstepped with a coworker’s tragedy, boss told me to change my ringtone, and more can I show annoyance with a terrible job offer that I don’t plan to take? am I being ageist toward my older employee? my boss won’t stop posting fake news and false memes on our company Facebook my boss keeps trying to use my car, coworker says I need a makeover, and more get a signed copy of the new Ask a Manager book the power dynamics in job interviews will mess you up how can I stop people from stealing my food in the office fridge? misbehaving coworker doesn’t know I’m about to be his boss, communal microwave is on my desk, and more weekend free-for-all – April 14-15, 2018 open thread – April 13-14, 2018 do good jobs ever leave room for outside artistic pursuits, coffee wars, and more my boss approved a long vacation for me — but we can’t agree on the dates where’s the promotion I was promised months ago? are two-hour commutes normal? I got in trouble because my coworker saw maxi pads in my car, and more can I ask for a higher salary if I agreed to a lower range at the start of the interview process? am I a mansplainer? I shared a room with a coworker on a work trip, and their respirator kept me awake all week a 3-day camping trip for work, taking time off after a break-up, and more are senior execs too busy for spelling and grammar? how to ask for a raise my brother broke up with our coworker, it’s causing drama, and I want to intervene my coworker’s constant emergencies mess up my work, office weight loss competition, and more do I have an obligation to tell my bosses about my substance abuse problem? my employee keeps calling in sick right before and after the weekend I’m frustrated that my employee didn’t want the post-baby flexibility I arranged for her my boss is super peppy, HR told me to do less for our charity event, and more weekend free-for-all – April 7-8, 2018 open thread – April 6-7, 2018 the new Ask a Manager book… work retreats over the weekend, my secretary stopped talking to me after she found out I’m queer, and more what to say when employees ask “am I in trouble?” 4 updates from letter-writers (the parking pass, the acne, and more) when attempts to recognize employees go horribly wrong: stuffed bears, birthday snubs, and more some podcast bonus content intervening with a bullying coworker, my colleague runs a snack shop from her desk, and more my employee is combative and rude — how could I have prevented this? I talked with Captain Awkward on the Ask a Manager podcast our new hire was secretly working another full-time job and lying to us sharing “emotional scars” as an icebreaker, I broke a desk and injured a coworker, and more why do offices say they’re “fast-paced” when they’re not? a coworker left me an anonymous note … and a pacifier managing an employee with “pregnancy brain” my coworker put pins on my chair, new assistant makes mistakes I have to fix, and more accidentally ending a work call with “love you, bye” and other work questions everyone interrupts me — am I somehow causing this? my coworkers at my toxic former job still vent to me about how bad things are there — and it’s draining my coworker closed her trunk on my arm and didn’t apologize, hiring family, and more March 2018 weekend free-for-all – March 31-April 1, 2018 open thread – March 30-31, 2018 my boss found out I’m living with my parents, required to shave a beard, and more my colleagues and I disagree on whether to hire someone who works for a competitor 4 updates from letter-writers (the personal crisis, the coworker frame-up, and more) what are the strangest things you’ve ever seen on a resume? employee can’t afford our team lunches, a frequently pregnant senior leadership team, and more is it more effective to introduce myself to a company with a cold email rather than apply for a specific opening? do I like bad bosses? my boss keeps doing my job, and I’m worried I’m the problem an affair is causing work drama, I feel slighted by my work anniversary gift, and more how to answer job candidates’ questions about salary when I don’t have a range to provide I’m afraid to show any weakness at work how can I stop resenting my friend who doesn’t have to work? coworker’s expensive wedding registry, how can I help my heartbroken boss, and more can I be paid in comp time instead of overtime pay? I overheard my boss complaining about me I’m being mentored against my will by a dude who’s my peer my coworker keeps cooking for me, colleague tried to steal from a bereavement fund, and more weekend free-for-all – March 24-25, 2018 open thread – March 23-24, 2018 I’m supposed to hide that I was a stay-at-home mom, rude receptionist, and more am I sabotaging my former intern’s job prospects? my office is moving … to my boss’s house knowledge swap! share your expertise with people here coworker calls me his “work wife,” error in my offer letter, and more someone I’ve known for years lied to get me to hire someone terrible she wanted to get rid of I interviewed Gretchen Rubin about happiness and work what to say when your boss is rude to a coworker in front of you boss said she’d give me a great reference but she didn’t, jobs advertised for less than minimum wage, and more I slept through an entire day of work should I point out job applicants’ mistakes to them? my coworker thinks it’s funny to try to scare me client pressured me into buying lingerie, employee thinks “thanks” is positive feedback, and more listing an unfinished novel as a work accomplishment on your resume my coworker is getting credit for my work we give our interns free housing — and there are problems coworker is too aggressive about enforcing rules, colleague selling free stuff from work, and more weekend free-for-all – March 17-18, 2018 open thread – March 16-17, 2018 my old boss still assigns me work, coworker doesn’t wash her hands when leaving the bathroom, and more do I need to give interviewers a great reason for why I’m looking to leave my current job? my boss told me to quit or be fired interview with a nanny for a famous psychic my beloved boss was fired, is curly hair unprofessional, and more will it hurt me to apply for multiple jobs at the same company? my employee works from home too much our employee is taking nude photos in our office and posting them to Facebook my ex won’t leave our company after our break-up, I cried in front of my boss, and more should I work for a tiny organization? I hate the idea of networking — it feels slimy is “secretary” a demeaning title? coworkers talk about childbirth over lunch, employee is abusing candidate referrals, and more what can I say to job candidates who are stalking me outside of work? win a copy of the new Ask a Manager book should being on reality TV disqualify a job candidate? employee insists on leaving at 5 on the dot every day, interviewing with braces, and more weekend free-for-all – March 10-11, 2018 open thread – March 9-10, 2018 whispering coworker, entry-level relocation assistance, and more I turned down a job, and now people are devastated update: my employee accidentally sent a rude message about me … to me my boss told me to be more assertive with difficult customers new coworker thinks she’s my manager, being honest in an exit interview, and more dealing with a horrible, lying director and management that won’t act my coworker leans on us for help way too much how can I get my coworker to stop talking about God? screaming toddler on work calls, telling references their recommended candidate was horrible, and more my boss is annoyed by the flexible schedule she already agreed to I work from home and my mom won’t stop talking to me I’m supposed to sleep in the office when I travel for work free food at work, weird phone call from a recruiter, and more I got a text from my boss during a funeral how can I get out of eating lunch with coworkers? I recommended my sister for a job — and it was a disaster my coworker cries over tiny things, using a nickname at work, and more weekend free-for-all – March 3-4, 2018 can I ask people to put requests in writing, boss asked me not to wear leggings, and more how can you tell if an overqualified applicant is right for the job? my manager is never at work ask the readers: makeup and work letting a former thief make amends, the ego blow of not being interviewed, and more February 2018 is it okay to turn down a job in the middle of the interview? podcast: I’m still training my replacement three months after I left I can’t go on vacation because no temp can meet my boss’s demanding expectations talking to a coworker about a negative colleague, manager was annoyed that I didn’t come in during an ice storm, and more how do I follow up with people who are bad at responding to work emails? my boss is a jerk — how do I deal with her? I’m hypersensitive to criticism — how do I fix this? my coworker writes fanfic in meetings, telling a friend I don’t want to work for her, and more the Ask a Manager guide to asking for a raise let us discuss past letters my coworker with imposter syndrome actually does suck at her job don’t put “sexual purity” on your resume, boss left a private email open during a screenshare, and more weekend free-for-all – February 24-25, 2018 open thread – February 23-24, 2018 I said something profane to my boss, should I tell my manager my coworker is in jail, and more how many times can I ask a networking contact for help? my boss refused to call an ambulance for an injured coworker listen to episode 1 of the Ask a Manager podcast I don’t want to be friends with my coworker, surprise phone interviews, and more my coworkers think I’m an intern … but I’m not my coworker wants me to give him a fake reference my employee uses a wheelchair … but I found out he doesn’t really need one hair extensions at work, can I ask for my old desk back, and more my boss said I have “disconcerting heart-to-hearts” with my coworkers my boss loves me but hates my coworker I share an office with a smoker, and the smell is making me sick coworker gave my presentation without my okay, acupuncture as team-building, and more how to speak up as a group at work I don’t want to do Toastmasters with my boss! what’s up with candidates turning down our job offers after we pay to fly them out? my boss suggests hiring her boyfriend for everything, someone threw out my boots, and more weekend free-for-all — February 17-18, 2018 open thread – February 16-17, 2018 talking about “adult” experience in an interview, rejected candidate’s parent called us, and more is it reasonable to expect to be thanked when I go out of my way for a coworker? my employee argues when I correct her work yes, you are awkward … and yes, it’s okay coworker bogarts all the food at work events, asking for a bonus when resigning, and more how can we convince our employer to allow nose rings at work? the vanishing microwave and other stories of workplace romance, gone both wrong and right how can I explain why I went to a for-profit school? women-only Valentine’s Day gestures, employee is having affair with client’s spouse, and more how long should it take to hear back after you apply for a job? how can I explain why I’m leaving my new job after only three months? my employee sent a memo to management about ghosts in the building returning to an old company where I was a jerk, coworker wants to take over my job, and more a job application asked me to rank if torturing a person was worse than prostitution when your coworker is driving you nuts what if I can’t succeed in the world of work? I want to break up with my boyfriend but I work for his parents, office flatulence, and more weekend free-for-all – February 10-11, 2018 open thread – February 9-10, 2018 coworker dumped a ton of work on us, my new coworker is about to be fired, and more I have a job offer — but it’s been weeks and there’s no start date in sight update: my boss planned team-building activities that I couldn’t fully participate in how can I avoid taking a job in an open-plan office? our coworker is cheating on our friend, boycotting staff picture day, and more should employees have to ask for a raise? how to fire a long-time client I bring my dog to work — but an anonymous note asked me not to want to discuss your work question on an Ask a Manager podcast? my husband’s boss accused me of trash-talking my mother-in-law, coworker is bad at taking feedback, and more how to answer when an interviewer asks “what do you do outside of work?” my boss expects me to work too much we’ve heard rumors that our incoming new boss is a nightmare I’m getting a smaller raise because I negotiated when I was hired, talking publicly about career struggles, and more I’m supposed to write 23 mini-essays in 24 hours before an employer will even interview me my employee keeps cc’ing my manager on everything my coworker is crowdfunding for IVF and keeps asking everyone for money my boss does “talk to the hand,” interviewing across the street from my office, and more weekend free-for-all – February 3-4, 2018 open thread – February 2-3, 2018 my whole team brings their spouses on business trips, turning in work too quickly, and more do employers care about college extracurriculars? here are animals taking over home offices let’s talk about differences in office culture by country and region a coworker is using Google Translate to cheat, sheet masks at work, and more January 2018 what does “hiring manager” mean and other work terms you might not know I worked from home on a snow day and then was told to use vacation time for it men compliment my handshake asking interns to stop greeting everyone individually, coworker used a racist word, and more my coworker responds to all problems with “at least you don’t have cancer or an eating disorder” why won’t my company fire my terrible coworker? I can hear everything my staff says — should I pretend I don’t? should I stop bringing coffee to my boyfriend/coworker, I don’t want to show up for my last day of work, and more I need to gain skills overnight for an interview for a stretch job updates: my coworker is rude to Uber drivers and more how much detail do you have to share when you call in sick? Blue Apron: when you want someone else to figure out dinner I paid for fake references, is it rude to shush someone, and more weekend free-for-all – January 27-28, 2018 open thread – January 26-27, 2018 candidates get snippy when I won’t talk to them before they apply, I found out my employee is job searching, and more these are bad ways to start your cover letter update: my mom keeps sending me job postings even though I’m happily employed I hate working from home — how can I make this better? waiting to see if I’ll be laid off, moving for a significant other, and more employee’s dad called to see if we had “properly briefed him” on his travel my employee acts like he’s the boss my coworker had an affair with a colleague’s husband, and now is treating her badly at work employee is flippant when I correct her mistakes, interrupting someone who’s wearing headphones, and more I’m competing for a promotion against a coworker who outdoes me my employee accidentally sent a rude message about me … to me my coworker keeps criticizing the way I talk to male colleagues my employee uses constant jargon, unpleasant coworker wants to have lunch together, and more are my mentors taking advantage of me? can I ask my employees to be nicer? handling the government shutdown: an open thread for federal employees and contractors here’s the secret to a professional wardrobe that won’t drain your bank account my team is flipping out over a thank-you lunch, my new job told me they hired someone else instead, and more weekend free-for-all – January 20-21, 2018 open thread – January 19-20, 2018 employee doesn’t want to work when it snows, interview expense shenanigans, and more is there a best time to send rejection letters? I don’t think I’d be good at the job I’m interviewing for what items have made your life at work easier or more pleasant? coworker was fired for a Facebook post, restricting access to a kosher kitchen, and more I don’t have enough work and my boss is too busy to give me more my employee melts down when work is stressful is my employee lying about using sick time for the Super Bowl? should I tell my boss her photo is terrible, my boss calls me a “baby,” and more my boss is a notorious liar, and he yells too I don’t want to share my personal life with nosy coworkers why didn’t I get a full-time offer after my internship? telling a rude candidate we’ll never interview him, someone is going through my trash, and more update: my employee lies and says other people’s work is her own how to quit your job without burning bridges rejection turned into an ad for a resume-writing company my boss keeps telling me “you have a year,” dressing one step up from the job you’re interviewing for, and more weekend free-for-all – January 13-14, 2018 open thread – January 12-13, 2018 my coworker screamed at me for calling my cat “my baby,” checking in about a job post-holidays, and more how to thank a new boss who’s been super understanding of a hard time in my life update: should I put fanfiction on my resume? how to talk about your job when you’re embarrassed by it how can I get a coworker to take computer classes, new desks don’t work with skirts, and more my boss is the department joke — and I don’t want to be in on it am I too generous with my employees? my coworker got drunk on a business trip and his hangover was a problem the next day my employees keep taking the same days off, I don’t want to sit next to my wife at work, and more my coworkers scoff and roll their eyes when I question decisions in meetings what are the best questions to ask in a job interview? I don’t want to use Airbnb for business travel — am I out of touch? drama after breaking up with a coworker, the best time of day to submit a job application, and more the person who used to do my job won’t go away my coworker keeps doing my work for me I delay writing back to people and then never do it — can I fix this? can I take birth control pills at my desk, paying more than my share for gifts coworkers, and more weekend free-for-all – January 6-7, 2018 update: our CEO won’t let go of a retired employee open thread – January 5-6, 2018 an extortionist might send my coworkers a private video, coworker won’t expense business travel, and more my employee keeps complaining to me about a coworker — but won’t let me step in updates: the flaky interviewer, the coworkers who stopped going to lunch, and more ask the readers: weird job advice your parents gave you employee is angry I’m using the baby name she wanted, office heat is broken, and more how to say “stop following me” at an event is it wrong to expect employees to work on snow days? employee sent out photos of a coworker’s stoma bag — what should I do? my reference lied to make me look better, coworker sent me an alarming Christmas video, and more my coworker is rude to Uber drivers update: should I tell my boss I know I’ve been a jerk and I’m getting therapy? my company reads every email we send and put cameras in our offices coworker hasn’t touched his work in months, dealing with an obnoxious book club member, and more can’t take more than a week of vacation at a time, leaving work after dark, and more