2016 posts Return to main archives January February March April May June July August September October November December December 2016 New Year’s free-for-all – December 31, 2016 – January 1, 2017 update: I think a colleague asked me out updates: can I ask my boss to lunch, telling someone to arrive to work earlier, and more open thread – December 30-31, 2016 interviewing with a beard as a woman, fending off an unwanted promotion, and more updates: one of our coworkers is putting nails in our car tires, employees are afraid they’ll be ostracized after they’re promoted, and more update: I’m worried my manager has lost confidence in me my boss made an insensitive pregnancy joke, I ghosted at the end of an externship, and more updates: I’m hearing secondhand reports of problems with an employee, coworker forces loud political rants on me, and more update: employee didn’t check email for 60 days my favorite posts of 2016 our boss constantly asks us to do personal favors for her updates: how can I get my staff to sign up to work after-hours events, my mom wants to write to the newspaper about my “tragic story of shattered dreams,” and more update: my coworker keeps hijacking team meetings how do I convince hiring managers of the value of my degree? update: should I remove any mention of a controversial issue from my resume? some of the weirdest posts of 2016 update: my boss is constantly commenting on my face and telling me to smile former boss wants me to lie to a reference, the expectations when you have a work phone, and more your workplace holiday disasters Christmas weekend free-for-all – December 24-25, 2016 updates: a good employee who’s really a terrible employee, boss has banned hot take-out food at lunch, and more update: my manager is urging me to drop truth bombs on the CEO open thread – December 23-24, 2016 asking for a big raise to take on a second role, employees held a party without asking us, and more update: employer wants us to install invasive GPS trackers on our personal vehicles if we use them for work how to say no to something you don’t have time to do, how to create deadlines you’ll stick to, and more the worst boss of 2016 is… update: my male coworker makes more money than I do should I report my former boss’s Twitter account, bringing a coworker to a disciplinary meeting, and more updates: Was I asked to a fake interview by someone who was lonely or looking for dates, coworkers are complaining about my hours, and more should you ask resigning employees to leave immediately? update: I’m in charge of assigning work to my manager, but he won’t do it my top candidate has another offer, coworker doesn’t want anyone to ask questions at meetings, and more updates: coworker with anxiety keeps asking us to drive her home, my boss never returns my work on time, and more I’m doing my boss’s job for him update: is my employee lying about needing bereavement leave? coworker is bringing daily gifts to our team lead, coaching a combative employee, and more update: I said “EEOC” and things got weird how to tell if you have a good boss vote for the worst boss of 2016 updates: recovering professionally after an internet hate campaign, teased about my drunken holiday party behavior, and more employee got pregnant to avoid working on Christmas, did I burn a bridge with a former manager, and more updates: I dread meetings with a snotty coworker, my company lies to clients, and more weekend free-for-all – December 17-18, 2016 update: my coworker won’t stop complaining about our health insurance and I feel horribly guilty update: my boss is verbally abusive and won’t pay me when a “sick” employee is spotted around town all my 2016 book recommendations open thread – December 16-17, 2016 am I being blacklisted from my field, the silent snacker, and more update: my cousin got in trouble after mentioning her period to her manager what to do when a new hire isn’t working out I wasn’t invited to the company Christmas party updates: boss wants to talk about her feelings all the time, mother is a destructive force in my professional life, and more can I ask my boss why my coworker quit, mentoring a student with questionable social media judgment, and more update: should I tell my employer that I’m bringing a legal concealed weapon to work? is it okay to fire someone close to Christmas? tell us your weird office holiday stories my boss deleted an email from my account, the differences when an employer tries to recruit you for a job, and more update: our horrible HR manager tells lies, is rude and petty, and won’t do her job I’m afraid that I don’t deserve my promotion is my first job supposed to be crappy? manager wants the top 10 reasons I’d quit my job, boss is being snarky about me being out sick, and more update: my coworker responds to everything I ask him to do with profanity and “your mom” jokes how to speak “boss” and decode what your manager really means my coworker is trying to do all the work my employer shared a fake email from me on Facebook, volunteer admin has disappeared, and more update: what kind of severance package should I try to negotiate? weekend free-for-all – December 10-11, 2016 5 more updates from letter-writers on how things turned out update: I get bored with all my jobs and don’t know what to do with myself update: I racked up $20,000 in personal charges on my company credit card do you really have to attend your office holiday party? a note on commenting policy open thread – December 9-10, 2016 I moved for my husband but can’t find work in my field, recruiting by text message, and more update: we can be fired if our friends and family don’t follow the company’s religious values lack of sleep is making you less productive, wrong moves that new managers make, and more sending our boss on a Christmas trip, being fair about time off around the holidays, and other holiday questions how to appear smart in meetings going into business with my boyfriend’s family, taking an interviewer on a tour of my current company, and more update: an employee’s boyfriend privately asked me to give her time off … and then things got even weirder how to handle pressure to donate money at work my boss crashed an employee’s wedding and now everyone hates him can we be told not to flush the toilets at work, will I be taken seriously without a LinkedIn account, and more update: my coworker wants us to call her boyfriend her “master” my coworker acts like the food police my coworker is cc’ing his mother on work correspondence one of the most important benefits not to overlook next year a coworker at my new job is someone I slept with four years ago, changing the way we do raises, and more update: I’m in trouble for what I wore when when my boss made me pick him up for the airport in the middle of the night the rules you need for office gift-giving (which your coworkers are probably violating) my boss says I shouldn’t expect people to tell me when they’re too busy to talk is it unprofessional to write notes on your hands, should you take severance or a PIP, and more update: how can I keep my star performer, without being able to pay or promote him (while his less competent coworker earns double)? weekend free-for-all – December 3-4, 2016 5 more updates from letter-writers 4 updates from letter-writers how can I get my coworker to stop talking to me all the time? open thread – December 2-3, 2016 employee’s emotional outbursts might be hormone-related, coworker marks most of her emails as “highly important,” and more update: employee keeps asking coworkers for food and money don’t send anonymous notes at work how to manage a project when you don’t have formal authority can I resign via text message? should I warn someone he might be fired, coworkers are lying about their job titles on LinkedIn, and more November 2016 update: someone left a bullet casing on my desk how is your company handling the halt to the new overtime rule? my company held a retreat in a Zika zone — and is charging people who didn’t go for their plane tickets am I scaring off job candidates with early morning interview slots, pressure to chip in more money for a gift to our boss, and more update: my employees refuse to call their coworker by her real name my coworker overheard me trash-talking her should I be honest with a young employee that she’s not cut out for our field? I don’t want to tell coworkers about my weight loss surgery, client called me “beloved,” and more my coworker’s butt crack is always on display everything you need to know about your year-end performance review I’m in trouble for what I wore when when my boss made me pick him up for the airport in the middle of the night smokers in a shared conference room, giving bibles as gifts to employees, and more weekend free-for-all – November 26-27, 2016 open thread – November 25-26, 2016 asking a staff member why he’s not going to our holiday dinner, I ghosted on a reference, and more a round-up of holiday letters from years past Thanksgiving free-for-all – November 24-25, 2016 everyone wants to know why I’m not eating at office food events, telling people they can’t bring a plus-one to the holiday party, and more is this job application horribly invasive or is it just me? how to make sure workload is divided fairly, how to tackle a project you’re dreading, and more saying no to an intern who wants to extend her internship my boss grabbed my hair, no one will tell me why I’m getting rejected, and more the new overtime rule is on hold what should I do when coworkers interrupt me on my lunch break? my coworker is taking credit for my ideas should a boss attend the funeral for an employee’s family member? is this work-from-home set-up unfair, my schedule means I can never attend office happy hours, and more 4 updates from letter-writers everything you need to know about taking vacation time from work am I allowed to have friends at work if I work in HR? my coworker tried to reassign my work to other people, my sister tried to get me fired, and more weekend free-for-all – November 19-20, 2016 update: how can I convince my girlfriend to get a better job? my boss wants me to give him a longer notice period when I resign open thread – November 18-19, 2016 refusing a job duty on ethical grounds, company wants me to show them another employer’s offer letter, and more is it possible to care too much about your job? how to initiate a conversation about a project that isn’t going well how to disagree with your boss in a meeting my relative is angry that I backed out of an interview, managers taking off right before or after a holiday, and more my coworker is constantly out and I have to cover for him — including canceling my own vacations my boss emails and texts me at all hours my coworker is threatening to lie to get our manager in trouble intern is wearing leggings as pants, is it okay not to correct some mistakes, and more update: our volunteer group wants to get rid of a problem member my boss is a micromanager bringing a baby to work when your child care falls through employee is refusing to share a hotel room, no-talking mornings, and more does anyone actually like being a manager? how to talk politics at work without being a jerk when an employee misses work with a self-inflicted illness get a new job with this massive discount on the Ask a Manager job-searching bible my friend got the job I’ve been acting in, former employer sent me an abusive text, and more weekend free-for-all – November 12-13, 2016 my boss doesn’t want me to carpool to work, asking a critical interview question, and more 3 updates from letter-writers how much should you listen to your gut in a job interview? open thread – November 11-12, 2016 I’m annoyed that my boss asks me to give her reminders, should we tell our boss to shut our company down, and more how much should years of service matter when setting salaries? why we should keep performance evaluations, work habits you need to change at each stage of your career, and more my employee keeps over-sharing personal medical details I’m not allowed to share food if I don’t bring enough for everyone, flying back from a business trip for a funeral, and more you can’t be held hostage to a bad employee when an employee flirts with the boss our CEO forgets she approved things and then freaks out on us about it interviewer asked how my family would describe me, employee quit after gossip about her therapy, and more update: my company wants to sponsor me for a service dog, but I’m not sure I should accept I’m stuck in a job I hate my boss keeps inviting me to family events my boss hasn’t returned from maternity leave, watching what I say around a coworker with financial worries, and more the new overtime law means I’ll be earning the same as much more junior people the things job seekers are tired of hearing from family and friends I feel limited by my entry-level job and want to do more I’m being trained by a stressed and grumpy coworker, how can I stop rambling in interviews, and more weekend free-for-all – November 5-6, 2016 4 updates from letter-writers help! my coworker speaks in baby talk update: my horse died because of my manager’s carelessness open thread – November 4-5, 2016 did I get too drunk at a work party, how to get out of a work obligation, and more where are you now? (a call for updates) why did this company lead me on about salary? how to manage a Jekyll-and-Hyde employee my horse died because of my manager’s carelessness we got rid of our IT person and it’s been a disaster, I don’t want to take care of my boss’s fish, and more I feel guilty that I got a job through family connections how to tell an employee “no nose rings” my boss gets angry when I won’t share my food with her coworkers think I left a bad Glassdoor review, negative feedback in an open office, and more how big of a deal is a lie on a resume from two years ago? I’ve been covering for a friend’s work mistakes my cousin got in trouble after mentioning her period to her manager I’m not allowed to buy my own office chair, did I accept an offer the company meant to withdraw, and more October 2016 update: I have an awful summer intern, and I can’t fire him are you ready for the new overtime law? employee is trying to force his way into a job that I don’t want to hire him for we’re not allowed to bring coffee to work, my coworker is faking his expertise, and more weekend free-for-all – October 29-30, 2016 4 updates from letter-writers a salary negotiation success story, with lessons open thread – October 28-29, 2016 can I be friends with candidates who I reject for jobs, telling an employee to talk more normally to foreign colleagues, and more my coworker has become needy and wants a closer friendship than I want why group brainstorming doesn’t work, you’re leaving too many vacation days unused, and more someone took credit for my work, new coworker dresses much more nicely than me, and more can you say you’re looking for a new job because you want “a new challenge”? my employee was late to work on his first day I share an office with a hoarder, did I creep out my coworker, and more four updates from letter-writers is job-hopping still a bad thing? company is planning a secret overnight trip, lying to clients about freelancers, and more I’m afraid I’m about to be offered a job I won’t be good at you are turning off your interviewer without realizing it boss is hanging terrible artwork, my spouse fired someone in our social network, and more weekend free-for-all – October 22-23, 2016 update: how do I choose a career path? my boss blamed me for her mistake open thread – October 21-22, 2016 can I ask my manager to tell sick people to stay at home? some surprising benefits of procrastinating (at last!) my department assistant is grumpy and impatient with me my abusive ex works at the company where I’m interviewing, friends keep trying to lure me from my job, and more an employer asked me the lowest salary I’d accept, rejected me, and then refused to keep talking how do I give a reference for a terrible former manager? I want to tell our CEO to fire his incompetent assistant and hire me for her job does updating your LinkedIn profile make it look like you’re job searching, telling your bosses there won’t be holiday gifts this year, and more my boss asks us to babysit a coworker with anxiety disorder how do I deal with my slacker coworker? did a reference lie to me to stop me from hiring a candidate who she wanted to hire herself? my manager said the wrong number when giving me a raise, director sent around a photo of my messy desk, and more what’s the etiquette for closing your office door? how to tell if you’re managing your career well … or not coworker keeps bringing her baby to work because she misses him emailing my boyfriend’s interviewer, job searching when you share a name with a dominatrix who looks like you, and more weekend free-for-all – October 15-16, 2016 my sister and I are in the running for the same job, being left out of Boss’s Day, and more update: a coworker stole my spicy food, got sick, and is blaming me open thread – October 14-15, 2016 I was taken away from work in an ambulance, can I ask my coworker to give back an unopened gift, and more how can we get job applicants to stop applying for every open position? how to overcome your worries about letting people work remotely ask the readers: how can I stop being late? we have to provide food to our managers for Boss’s Day, my boss hates me, and more my boss thinks a board member kept the money from a baby gift collection is it wrong to Google job candidates? my mother wants to write to the newspaper about my “tragic story of shattered dreams” and nothing I say can stop her my boss jokes that I don’t work after 5, company donations to a controversial charity, and more do I really have to wear a Halloween costume to work? political talk at work is making my life unbearable new employee keeps complaining about missing her kids I got into a fight with my husband’s coworker over their affair, stressed out over a volunteer group at work, and more my husband emailed my boss about our decision for me to resign choosing between a high school job and a family vacation my coworker keeps telling me he’s praying for me, my workplace contacted people I haven’t seen in years while I was hospitalized, and more weekend free-for-all – October 8-9, 2016 coworker keeps burping loudly, company canceled my interview, and more how should your resume list a bunch of different jobs at the same place? when your mentor won’t respond to your emails open thread – October 7-8, 2016 my manager only invited one of us to her wedding, difficult boss wants to sit in on team interviews, and more update: my coworker responds to everything I ask him to do with profanity and “your mom” jokes how to ask to get out of a work duty why you feel busy all the time even if you’re not, and more ask the readers: my office is keeping me painfully isolated at work should I do mediation with my incompetent boss, recruiter said she felt used when I turned down an offer, and more an employee walked away from me while I was trying to talk to him is your AOL or Hotmail address hurting your job search? company wants references from “coworkers you didn’t get along with” interviewer is bringing his kid to our interview, do my coworkers all pity me because my job is boring, and more a professional resume writer told me my resume is “awful” — is it? my male coworker makes more money than I do my coworker is a rude, inconsiderate bully — but am I being too sensitive? employee’s long bathroom breaks are tying up the customer bathroom, staff had meltdowns after talking with each other, and more how do I tell my manager that people are gossiping behind his back? 5 things to do differently if you want to earn more money my manager is urging me to drop truth bombs on the CEO firing an employee after many chances, requiring employees to use vacation time for trips they win as prizes, and more weekend free-for-all – October 1-2, 2016 should you put a failed project on your resume, the mystery of keywords, and more September 2016 company told me their job offer is “take it or leave it” listen to me on the Mo’ Money podcast open thread – September 30-October 1, 2016 I found a bedbug at work, my bosses spend a half hour at early morning meetings on small talk, and more 5 questions about names and work pinpointing your procrastinating, paperless offices, and more job-searching advice for a teenager on the autism spectrum my manager takes credit for my work, rejected by form letter from someone I know personally, and more employee is citing a family death two years ago as a reason not to work around any holidays how can I tell my team that their raises will be tiny? my coworker responds to everything I ask him to do with profanity and “your mom” jokes living so close to work that coworkers could see in my window, employee is struggling with anxiety, and more my boss wants a timeline for me leaving and I haven’t even given notice my coworker wants us to call her boyfriend her “master” my boss brags about being verbally abusive to her step-child when should a new manager start doing real work, correcting errors in other people’s letters, and more how can I completely disconnect from a difficult former boss? 5 terrible workplace policies that good companies don’t have when your boss has to correct your behavior, does it impact their impression of you forever? does a good college mean you don’t have to do internships, employee refuses to use cell phone, and more weekend free-for-all – September 24-25, 2016 I got in trouble for wearing work-out clothes around the office, throwing up at work, and more a salary negotiation success story my anonymous complaint wasn’t kept anonymous open thread – September 23-24, 2016 my coworker feels excluded because my boss and I are friends, letting employees take freelance work, and more my friend is sabotaging her career political talk at work is negatively impacting you, how to spend less time in meetings, and more I’m on a company’s do-not-hire list quit slouching with the ALEX Wearable Posture Tracker and Coach dating site drama, employee resigned but now isn’t leaving, and more we have to talk about an “inspiring thing” at weekly meetings how honest should you be in job interviews? my boss is constantly commenting on my face and telling me to smile when you’re accused of plagiarism, parents who won’t turn over their kids’ identity documents, and more how do you get experience if all the jobs require you to already have experience? my coworkers keep asking me out coworkers are flooding me with basic questions that they shouldn’t need help with my new coworker is my childhood bully, getting people stop with replying-all, and more joining my boyfriend at a weekend retreat hosted by a professional association he belongs to hugging at work: okay or not okay? our horrible HR manager tells lies, is rude and petty, and won’t do her job should I ask my coworker why she didn’t hire my son, I stole from an employer years ago, and more weekend free-for-all – September 17-18, 2016 I have a weird patchwork of responsibilities, sharing a desk, and more five updates from letter-writers can you live down work mistakes from years ago? open thread – September 16-17, 2016 when customers speak to each other in a foreign language that I understand, my boss asked me to vent to her, and more update: my employee secretly brought her kids to work and forced a coworker to watch them I need to interrupt the office chit-chatter with work questions being helpful might be more tiring than you realize I manage my boss’s husband and it’s terrible, my boss calls and texts me constantly on my days off, and more employee didn’t check email for 60 days can you ask about mental health in job interviews? my new boss cheated in college — and I was the one to investigate him new coworker makes a lot of mistakes, excessive hand-shaking, and more a coworker told me not to leave early, when I know my manager would be okay with it my coworker wants our office to do a sweat lodge ceremony my employees argued over gay rights and now they want their coworker fired advising a great applicant to run far away from my troubled office, husband wants to quit his job to job-search full-time, and more picking a restaurant for a working lunch — am I doing this right? what you need to do before you quit your job my university requires students to create terrible personal websites for job-searching how can I bounce back from disappointing my boss, I missed out on “one of the best minds of the 21st century,” and more weekend free-for-all – September 10-11, 2016 banning smelly foods at work, shaking hands when you have a cold, and more this creepy, invasive software can tell your boss if you’re looking for a new job 3 updates from recent letter-writers open thread – September 9-10, 2016 my former intern ghosted her new job, coworker won’t stop talking about his Porsche plans, and more my coworkers deleted my part of a report a trick to stay focused in an open office, why all breaks don’t recharge you equally, and more company bombarded me with emails, then retracted a job offer because I wanted time to think it over my boss treats me like I’m incompetent, firing a difficult long-time employee, and more I matched with a coworker on a dating site can an interviewer tip off your boss that you’re job-searching? interviewing a job candidate who won’t shake hands with women former coworkers keep gossiping to me about my old job, new hire taking vacation during most sought-after week, and more my manager won’t promote me because it would hurt a coworker’s feelings am I leading an exclusionary work clique? I got the job, but I’m sure I gave a bad interview and I can’t stop ruminating about it I lied on my resume, coworker won’t stop an endless flood of words, and more taking time off to travel, job-hopping, and being happy giving a job interviewer a free sample from my Etsy shop, who owns what I created at work, and more weekend free-for-all – September 3-4, 2016 four updates from recent letter-writers open thread – September 2-3, 2016 coworker keeps making gross bathroom joke, manager took pay cut to protect our bonuses, and more don’t pretend to have a question just so you can talk about yourself — in interviews and in life managers and employees have different ideas about being productive, how to stay motivated when everyone else is on vacation, and more how to answer behavioral interview questions when you don’t have good examples screening for candidates who will be comfortable with cursing and crude jokes, bringing a backpack to an interview, and more August 2016 I think my on-call coworker was high when I contacted him when employees complain about favoritism I said “EEOC” and things got weird my boss helped my girlfriend’s mom ambush her at our house, what does “polished” mean in job postings, and more what’s the minimum amount of time I have to stay in a job that’s making me miserable? my junior employee’s expectations are out of whack I’m being compelled to testify at a coworker’s divorce hearing should we fire an intern for extending her vacation without permission, coworker makes rude remarks about my quietness, and more company wants to have tea with my family as part of an international interview 6 things you should unlearn to succeed at work how can I keep my star performer, without being able to pay or promote him (while his less competent coworker earns double)? employee disregards direct instructions, coworker asks where I’m going every single time I leave my desk, and more weekend free-for-all – August 27-28, 2016 should I take the blame for my manager’s mistake, CEO wants to reimburse us for political contributions, and more update: can I make getting to the final round of interviews – and not getting the job – count for something? is there any point in applying to a months-old job posting? open thread – August 26-27, 2016 managing an overly chatty employee, using up vacation time right before resigning, and more company agreed I could telecommute — and then changed their mind once I started the job millennials want peace and quiet just like everyone else (how shocking) my new coworkers are complaining about my hours … but I’m not doing anything wrong is it rude to cold-call a colleague, employees are complaining to me about each other, and more I’m interviewing for a job that the last three people have been fired from my male colleagues stick our assistant with all the clean-up after meetings my boss is verbally abusive and won’t pay me interacting with coworkers’ kids, coworker is inappropriate in front of guests, and more my old employer took me back — and two weeks later, I might need to leave all over again how can I improve my work ethic? our office manager wants constant public praise, and other people are starting to resent it my boss asked me to do her kid’s homework, are sandals considered business attire, and more should I be wary of a company that offered me a job after only one interview? do you have terrible job search manners? my employees refuse to call their coworker by her real name happy hours and religious restrictions, our graphic designer is color blind, and more weekend free-for-all – August 20-21, 2016 roasting departing colleagues, manager won’t return my emails about references, and more a student tried to pay me to do his schoolwork where’s the raise I was promised months ago? open thread – August 19-20, 2016 my boss and her daughter want to move in with me, problem employee lashed out at me, and more my staff collaborates so much that I can’t evaluate their work individually the danger of back-up plans, your email is out of control, and more how can I get other managers to stop giving my team last-minute work they knew about in advance? I don’t speak French but my job requires it, do I have to tell my boss I’m writing about astrology, and more how can I say “I don’t know” without saying “I don’t know”? what’s your boss doing reading your emails? I’m in charge of assigning work to my manager, but he won’t do it coworker might be napping in the lactation room, interviewer asked “love to win or hate to lose?” and more whoever told you to be creative in your cover letter has led you horribly astray I’m getting stuck with extra work because I don’t have a kid I’m being told to let my coworker fail on a $35 million project I posted a rant on Facebook about an ex-employer, our office AC won’t be fixed for months, and more I was laid off but but my employer asked me to keep working you can stop stressing out about these job search worries employee won’t stop talking about a coworker’s prosthetic limb employee wants to be left out of our company blog, coworkers keep complaining about new manager, and more weekend free-for-all – August 13-14, 2016 company asked what I have to earn, what I’d like to earn, and what I’d be thrilled to earn how can I get out of our awful Staff Appreciation Day? update: my coworker is a Twitter troll open thread – August 12-13, 2016 is my sick coworker really on vacation, increasing my freelance rates, and more my friend was horrified that I asked an interviewer what the job pays you might get paid more if you take a vacation, your brain wants to procrastinate, and more interview with a budget and money coach staying in touch with old coworkers, how to help a lonely boss, and more how to deal with a coworker in a small office who forces loud political rants on me my coworkers keep reporting my mistakes to my manager I’m hearing secondhand reports of problems with an employee — but she denies them my work friends are being weird about me resigning, pushy recruiters want “salary confirmation,” and more my boss said inappropriate things about me to a reference-checker my coworker is a Twitter troll an employee’s boyfriend privately asked me to give her time off … and then things got even weirder workplace weight loss programs and eating disorders, giving a reference for a coworker who drinks heavily, and more ask all your questions about the new overtime law here the first state has made it illegal to ask about salary history dealing with catcalls while I’m walking with coworkers can I get out of a personality assessment at work, my coworker constantly fact-checks everything, and more weekend free-for-all – August 6-7, 2016 my boss is refusing to pay a nonprofit money we owe them, my office lights turn off every 10 minutes, and more update: should I care about my employer when figuring out when to have a baby? our intern told us our ideas were boring and stupid open thread – August 5-6, 2016 I offended people at a staff meeting by saying my staff works the hardest, recruiter told me to wear jeans to an interview, and more hiring manager seemed annoyed that I called for more information who you sit next to can impact your performance, what happens when you give up multi-tasking for a week, and more ask the readers: our volunteer group wants to get rid of a problem member should I move into my boss’s spare bedroom, I told a coworker I was disgusted with her, and more how can I get my staff to sign up to work after-hours events? how fast is too fast to reject a job candidate? I emailed my girlfriend’s boss to complain that he encroached on our relationship boss told me not to check messages on vacation but tried to reach me anyway, company claims they don’t have a pay range, and more loose cannons, interviews from the toilet, and other stories of ridiculous job candidates my intern is a rude jackass my manager stole a family heirloom from me and gave it as a gift to someone else saying you have to talk over a job offer with your spouse, ordered to appear “enthusiastic and upbeat,” and more employer told me to write 15-20 short essays before they’ll even interview me 5 things that will send your resume straight to the rejection pile should I tell a low-performing employee that she needs to arrive at work earlier? my coworker got a raise to motivate him to show up to work, when religion limits an employee’s availability, and more July 2016 weekend free-for-all – July 30-31, 2016 my manager moved into my apartment building, can I land my dream job after a not-great interview, and more my junior team member is insisting on a desk by a window open thread – July 29-30, 2016 asking my boyfriend’s boss to help me plan a secret vacation, a camera was stolen from my office, and more my coworkers keep pressuring me to take vacation — but I need to save up time for a chronic illness when you should default to “no,” how to be productive when you’re sleep-deprived, and more interview with a 16-year-old working her first summer job a terrible student worker asked me for a reference, coworkers send social texts throughout the night, and more my manager says that most people are too good to stay in my job for long I’m supposed to interview my ex for a job my company asks personal, invasive questions about your childhood and adolescence my interviewers burst out laughing after I left the room, I need a different desk chair, and more how should we handle job candidates who show up for interviews way too early? I can’t make small talk at work — and it’s holding me back I have an inappropriate coworker and our mothers are friends how can I get out of singing on-camera, new hire sprang major time off on me, and more no, group work in school is not “just like in the real work world” how to negotiate salary … without getting your offer pulled a coworker stole my spicy food, got sick, and is blaming me I’m furious that my vacation request was denied, Civil War reenactor beards at job interviews, and more weekend free-for-all – July 23-24, 2016 should I give my new boss a gift, I get my own hotel room while my male coworkers have to share, and more 4 updates from recent letter-writers how to ask your interviewer for a flexible schedule open thread – July 22-23, 2016 I don’t want employers to see my high school fanfic, coworker spends his day on magic and politics, and more my coworker won’t stop complaining about our health insurance and I feel horribly guilty pressure to answer email after-hours causes problems … even when there’s not much email to answer ask the readers: bad behavior from job candidates my son sent my boss an embarrassing photo of me, employer wants job candidate to “show loyalty,” and more what to do if you’re being paid less than male coworkers wearing a bikini on a work trip with board members my boss keeps emailing me on the weekend coworker with anxiety keeps asking us to drive her home and stay there with her new coworker keeps asking if I hate him, dinner with coworkers on business trips, and more my coworker drew genitalia on a going-away card for someone else my coworker monologues for 20-30 minutes every time a work issue comes up was I asked to a fake interview by someone who was lonely or looking for dates? I’m worried I’m in the wrong career, boss posted Hawaii vacation photos right after layoffs, and more how should I decorate my office? what to do when you’re turned down for a promotion my staff keeps requesting time off at the last minute, even though I keep asking for advance notice how can I avoid talking about my wedding at work, asking employers to speed up their hiring process, and more weekend free-for-all – July 16-17, 2016 cake drama, getting a job recommendation from a Twitter contact, and more important questions: how could a vampire keep his true nature hidden at work? how to manage someone who wanted your job open thread – July 15-16, 2016 job sends photos of mistakes via Facebook, forwarding emails when you’re on vacation, and more should I consider a job that requires 75% travel? staying productive after 3 p.m., the problem with routines, and more my boss never returns my work on time coworker keeps asking to take other people’s shifts, new job won’t give me a start date, and more on the weirdness of writing an advice column, getting the other side of the story, and more my former Hollywood boss is forcing me train her new assistants are my coworkers abusing their sick leave? our IT guy is an unresponsive jerk my boss wants me reachable by phone and email on the weekends, I think a coworker is fudging her time sheets, and more I talked to Second City! And the Billfold! And it was fun! my employee dresses like a slob I’m required to share with my boss a weekly best and worst from my personal life I got in trouble for a Facebook spat outside of work, boss complained he was “the last to know” I’m pregnant, and more how do I get my friends and family to butt out of my job search? why you shouldn’t work off-the-clock should I get extra support when I’m on probation at work? is it normal to complain about coworkers behind their backs, I opened a love letter to a volunteer, and more weekend free-for-all – July 9-10, 2016 I received a sketchy interview invitation, unfriending the boss, and more update: I’m terrified by the intensive business course I’m about to take I feel guilty that I flaked out on a volunteer job open thread – July 8-9, 2016 my mom wants me to help with her business for free, asking for a new title instead of a raise, and more how do I ask references about a candidate’s personality? why video conferencing sucks, how to fend off a time-wasting colleague, and more interview with a professional belly dancer I can hear my coworkers getting chewed out, interviews on casual Fridays, and more should I express my frustration with this interview process? about those interns fired for petitioning for a more casual dress code… my coworker treats me like an incompetent child client accidentally said rude things about my team in a voicemail, what happened to thank-you notes, and more my new job wants me available full-time but only pays me for part-time am I being too needy with my new boss? my best employee quit on the spot because I wouldn’t let her go to her college graduation one of our coworkers is putting nails in our car tires, company gifts that include pork and alcohol, and more Independence Day round-up coworkers didn’t leave enough money for the bill after a group dinner is your resume supposed to stretch the truth, office bathrooms aren’t working, and more holiday weekend free-for-all – July 2-4, 2016 update: job candidate called me four times in one day open thread — July 1-2, 2016 getting sick your first week at a new job, I won’t work in an open office, and more June 2016 how to talk to an intern about professional norms when you’re not her manager how to manage your calendar so that you get more done I think I completely messed up this salary negotiation my coworker complained about my burping and farting, my manager gave away my project, and more I had to share a bed with a coworker on a business trip how do I explain that I don’t want a management job anymore? I’m worried my manager has lost confidence in me my boss retired but still won’t leave us alone, do people still put phone numbers on resumes, and more how much should we accommodate employees’ dietary restrictions at work events? my coworkers think I’m having an affair — but I’m not I was fired from my internship for writing a proposal for a more flexible dress code co-founder is an out-of-control jerk, interviewer told me that she’s hard to work for, and more I saw my coworker wiping down our kitchen sink with Drano don’t ignore these job search red flags are unshaven legs unprofessional? company sports team is causing bad feelings, how much detail should an offer letter have, and more update: manager says I need to wear different socks weekend free-for-all – June 25-26, 2016 my internship is giving me back pain, asking for a raise during layoffs, and more four updates from recent letter-writers a round-up: noisy open offices, handing over your health data to your employer, and more open thread – June 24-25, 2016 I’m being fired and don’t know why, manager complains about people who take medical leave, and more what are the ethics of keeping money left over from a travel per diem? how to cover for vacationing coworkers without doubling your own workload my boss keeps trying to get us all to hang out together after work — and we don’t want to my friend doesn’t approve of my work and will be my new boss, what happens after a rude response to rejection, and more my boss complains when I can afford vacations that he can’t take I need to take back an employee’s promotion I get bored with all my jobs and don’t know what to do with myself I hid my law degree from my employer, asking people to knock before entering, and more my boss is constantly texting and emailing during meetings I’m the new work advice columnist for New York Magazine! I’m on the Dear Prudence podcast! someone left a bullet casing on my desk boss asked me to be “brutally honest,” manager ignores my emails, and more how to respond to a volatile rejected job applicant how to know if you’re getting good career advice I have an awful summer intern, and I can’t fire him is it ok to be Facebook friends with people I manage, returning from vacation early, and more weekend free-for-all – June 18-19, 2016 calling a former colleague’s prospective new boss, being frozen out by the company I used to intern at, and more HR stole my parking space, and 3 more updates a round-up: this employer will pay for your wedding, is “be yourself” terrible advice, and more open thread – June 17-18, 2016 my boss gets drunk at department events, long-winded colleagues who are senior to me, and more my new job comes with a surprise relocation pay-back clause how to deal with a rude, dismissive coworker I lost an offer over salary, and I’m regretting holding firm during negotiations my manager is coaching my new running group, jobs that require cars, and more we have a mandatory all-staff jamboree on Election Day am I missing too much work when my kids are sick? how to discreetly job search when you have a nosy boss sweat stains and business clothing, employee might be abusing her medical leave, and more we’re not supposed to tell our manager about coworkers’ mistakes why you should stop doing low-value work, your phone is killing your productivity, and more I think our employee lied about having cancer coworkers are having an affair and one might get promoted to manage the other, boss wants me to help his friends, and more should I go to law school if I don’t want to practice law? how to talk to your boss about mental health issues my coworker is hovering, staring, and making me uncomfortable a friend is aggressively trying to get a sales lead from me, I was offered a new job but they won’t tell me the salary, and more weekend free-for-all – June 11-12, 2016 I feel weird about turning down jobs and interviews, telling an interviewer I want to open my own business, and more update: my boss gave everyone a Christmas gift but me me on a podcast, and other places too open thread – June 10-11, 2016 new hire said I’m too relaxed to be a manager, coworkers keep calling me the “compliance lady,” and more my boss refused to pay my husband’s invoice for contract work update: my manager doesn’t defend me from mistaken complaints if you’re self-employed or want to be, this post is for you my boss sent around photos of my coworker in body paint, getting paid for commute time, and more I’m being pressured to contribute to gifts for resigning coworkers — and it’s increasingly obnoxious my employees and their relatives are coming to my house and leaving me threatening voicemails my employees are afraid they’ll be ostracized after they’re promoted should I invite my boss to dinner at my house, employer thought I was yelling during salary negotiation, and more can I request that I not be alone with my boss? does your team need to disconnect from work? where’s the line between pretty clothes and professional clothes? can I give more feedback to someone I recently fired, having to contact multiple people when calling in sick, and more is this company’s high-pressure hiring process normal? unlimited vacation policies may not be as great as they sound my new coworker is bad at her job and keeps apologizing giving a reference for an alcoholic friend who won’t talk to me, new job is pushing me to move up my start date, and more weekend free-for-all – June 4-5, 2016 is this HR person dragging out a hiring process just to keep herself employed? a round-up: for-profit schools decrease your earnings, a jackass of an interviewer, and more open thread – June 3-4, 2016 coworker is being oddly aggressive at a conference, left out of office betting pool, and more I accidentally hugged the CEO update: I want to complain about an annoying customer who works at the store next to ours interview with a children’s entertainer my boss told my coworker that I’m driving him nuts, staying with a coworker who used to run an Airbnb, and more our non-traveling employees are upset about the travel “perks” that others get people are gossiping about my boss having an affair my team is super into tarot cards, the Secret, and sharing our personal “visions” my company pretends that former employees still work here, should I go back to school to replace my University of Phoenix degree, and more May 2016 is it bad that I use a chat program to talk to my friends throughout the workday? is napping at work coming to your office? I am the nepotism hire who no one likes the friend I recommended for a job pushed a coworker, how to handle goodbyes for a hostile employee who’s leaving, and more if you’re a new grad, here are some things for you I guessed at a salary range for a job, overshot, and got rejected are you obligated to support your friends’ businesses, how much PTO should I save for emergencies, and more weekend free-for-all – May 28-29, 2016 my boss moved down the street from me, putting keywords on your resume in white font, and more can I make getting to the final round of interviews – and not getting the job – count for something? update: managing a student organization when no one else does any work and you’re stuck doing it all yourself open thread – May 27-28, 2016 I have a crush on a manager at work, my coworker keeps encroaching on my desk, and more I have to pay to be “honored” at an event update: my coworkers mercilessly tease me about my drunken holiday party behavior my coworker keeps telling me not to worry when he’s slow in getting back to me talking to job candidates about our kickball league, handling complaints about an employee, and more can I signal to my employee that I realize our boss sucks? my future boss won’t stop emailing me my manager believes that working from home is a day off work my husband’s employer is killing our marriage, applying to a company for a third time, and more the demise of WTF Wednesday, reporting problems, and more how can I get my team to have real discussions at our meetings, instead of just delivering updates? how to get people to take more ownership over their work … so that you’re not in charge of every damn thing how bad is it to misrepresent your major and your GPA? think you want to work for yourself? here’s what you should consider. week-long vacations as a summer intern, staff lunches that you have to buy yourself, and more what’s the ideal personality type for a manager? 10 things you should know about work by the time you’re 30 my injury is preventing me from going on a company cruise — and my company wants me to pay them back for my ticket coworker is taking too much time off, employer wants me to commit for two years but I don’t want to, and more weekend free-for-all – May 21-22, 2016 was my vacation request unreasonable, can I ask if I’m about to be laid off, and more should you attach your cover letter or put it in the body of the email? is it better to be interviewed first, last, or in the middle? open thread – May 20-21, 2016 can we push a retiring employee out early, do I need to use special resume paper, and more update 2: my boss accused me of faking a panic attack to get out of a meeting New York magazine on Ask a Manager employer asked for a credit check and drug test after I’d already accepted the job and thought everything was final I have to work with someone who sexually harassed my friend, I’m bad at responding to positive feedback, and more my new hire has past bad blood with another new hire how to work for an angry boss my employee has been sulking and slightly rude ever since her job changed the new overtime pay rules are here — if you earn less than $47,476, read this sending a group photo to a grieving coworker, using a portfolio at an interview, and more here are things I’ve changed my advice on over time how to stop a meeting from dragging on endlessly and other interesting stuff I manage my daughter and someone complained about her asking new employer to send me to an awards banquet, should I let a mediocre employee work remotely, and more did I mess up the negotiations for my new job? 5 wrong moves that will damage your career can I compare attending college to working a full-time job in my cover letter? deli meats and working lunches, internal candidates need not apply, and more weekend free-for-all – May 14-15, 2016 how to turn down networking requests, company takes credit for our social events, and more update: employee is taking all his vacation days at our busiest time of year open thread – May 13-14, 2016 job candidate called me four times in one day, coworker might be deliberately undermining my work, and more when does following up with people about meetings or favors turn into being a pest? update: when should I tell a prospective employer that I’m transgender and in the midst of transitioning? my performance review included an anonymous complaint that I don’t sit up straight letting a boyfriend stay with you on a business trip at a new job, using a bunch of vacation time right before resigning, and more my company wants to sponsor me for a service dog, but I’m not sure I should accept why won’t people answer my networking emails? as a manager, do I need to hide my stress from my employees? is employee taking too much sick leave, I keep getting surprise raises, and more my coworker photoshopped my head shot to make me look younger and thinner how to get your staff to be more honest with you my manager shows up while I’m having chemotherapy to talk about work manager is on maternity leave and I’m overwhelmed, a company told me they’d call the police if I contact them again, and more when you’re sick, can you have someone else call your office on your behalf? are the new overtime rules about to boost your paycheck? I haven’t made friends at my new job Igloo: an intranet you’ll actually like I don’t want to reveal my age at my job, telling an employee to mind his own business, and more some things about my dad weekend free-for-all – May 7-8, 2016 did I mess up my job search by starting it too early, including stack ranking on a resume, and more a round-up: putting work expenses on your personal credit card, bathroom access, wolves, and more 3 updates from letter-writers open thread – May 6-7, 2016 fired VP trashed our office, when is my application response rate good enough to stop worrying, and more my company wants to stop me from discussing my salary with coworkers my coworker is pushing help on me that I don’t want how should I handle last-minute schedule change requests without being a jerk? interviewing when you only have one candidate for the job, retention bonuses, and more I overheard my boss saying she needs to find a way to pay me less why do so many companies never respond to job candidates? our meetings are being ruined by dogs and a toddler get a new job with this massive discount on the Ask a Manager job-searching bible manager sent former employee a litany of complaints about her work, how to stop “reply all,” and more can I ask for a second chance to interview if I feel like I didn’t get a fair shot? how to help a staff member be more confident here’s another example of a great cover letter boss and coworker are intense BFFs, mediocre employee wants me to accommodate her school schedule job candidates who call for more information before we’ve invited them to interview 7 ways you’re driving your coworkers batty I was fired and then offered my job back a week later manager leaves to get her hair done during the workday, should I sing a song at my interview, and more April 2016 weekend free-for-all – April 30-May 1, 2016 my job changed to something I never signed up for, should junior staff have to train others, and more my coworker booked all the best vacation days for the year and no one else can have them open thread – April 29-30, 2016 employees complained about the reward I gave them, getting my job back after being fired for pushing a coworker, and more you are reading way too much into things employers say to you update: recovering professionally after an internet hate campaign will it hurt my career to work for a slimy company? new employee keeps trying to go over my head, getting people’s attention when they’re wearing headphones, and more my interviewer warned me that I’m too good for the job coworkers want money from me for a lottery our boss will fire us if we don’t sign up to be a liver donor for his brother discouraging friends from applying for a job on my team, coworkers won’t stop texting at night, and more my employee disagrees with my evaluation of his performance how to stay connected to colleagues when no one works in the same place how can I convince my girlfriend to get a better job? my manager wants to come to my house, my commute is doubling, and more my new boss is treating me coldly 5 unforced errors that could cost you a job offer I lose my motivation when my boss is out of the office boss left my performance evaluation on the office printer, intern just got hired by the team I’m interviewing with, and more weekend free-for-all – April 23-24, 2016 recovering from a period of lower performance at work, applying for a job at the company I left on bad terms, and more a round-up: social class at work, instant reactions, and more on overtime pay I was fired and asked to train my replacement open thread – April 22-23, 2016 I’m suspicious of my wife’s former boss, my boss told my coworker what I said about him, and more why am I not getting promoted into a management job? update: my new hire turned from Dr. Jekyll to Mr. Hyde how do I get my direct reports to be better managers of their own teams? I want to stop covering for my boss, reopening salary negotiations, and more my boss wants his nephew to live in my house for three months my coworkers make me look like the office slacker my boss freaked out when he saw my menstrual products and called me unprofessional agreeing to negotiate salary in 6 months, badgering people into not taking sick leave, and more do you have to control your emotions to be professional? science says you’re starting work at the wrong time, and more my great employee is upset that he’s not getting a bonus for going above and beyond I applied for a job and they told my current employer, who should pay for the office candy, and more do higher-level jobs call for more advanced job-hunting techniques? you need a not-to-do list when your job interview is at a restaurant where you can’t eat anything on the menu new hire can’t work the schedule she agreed to, men’s bathrooms vs. women’s bathrooms, and more weekend free-for-all – April 16-17, 2016 boss wants me to work for someone who was imprisoned for fraud, online degrees, and more a round-up: obesity, sex discrimination, and overtime pay open thread – April 15-16, 2016 farewell party for everyone but me, company wants me to pay for email, and more why it’s complicated for your employer to let you work from another state update: my boss is pressuring me to consult after I leave for a new job what’s the best/funniest/weirdest email rant you’ve ever received at work? pregnant bartender, lunchtime meetings, and more my boss is having an affair with a coworker and I found out from his wife should you tell your boss you’re looking for a new job? recovering professionally after an internet hate campaign I’m a heroin addict and need time off to get clean, my boss told me I’m overpaid, and more I was promoted, but my boss won’t tell anyone does your team lack a sense of urgency? my older employee keeps talking about my age I’m terrible at PowerPoint, no-show employee wants a bonus, and more will taking occasional time off make me look unreliable? here’s how you should spend your time while you’re unemployed I was fired for taking initiative (and undermining my manager) contacting a fired employee to see how she’s doing, when a coworker claims you smell, and more weekend free-for-all – April 9-10, 2016 employee keeps inviting himself into my conversations, nose-blowing coworker, and more how to adjust to a new job with extreme flexibility open thread – April 8-9, 2016 unfair internship, talking about therapy in a job interview, and more should you list coursework on your resume? update: managing an employee with inappropriate emotional outbursts how important is job satisfaction, really? my April Fools prank backfired, should staff get bonuses for covering for someone on leave, and more coworker sent us all a 12-paragraph rant about office supplies should your office ban fragrances? my boss is a mean girl 2 employees don’t get along, coworkers won’t send me the work I’m supposed to handle, and more a vegan coworker is being aggressive toward me about food what to do if an employee keeps missing deadlines new vendor keeps sending religious quotes on invoices interns complained about me, I don’t want to help hire my replacement, and more can I just send employers my LinkedIn page rather than a resume? what does it mean if your boss says you have a “bad attitude”? my coworker keeps hijacking team meetings my boss doesn’t believe in migraines, employee cries whenever I give her feedback, and more weekend free-for-all – April 2-3, 2016 emailing condolences to a coworker, my sister-in-law used to have the job I’m applying for, and more update: my former employer is requiring me to return to finalize my resignation — after I already left open thread – April 1-2, 2016 we need to make up any time we spend at conferences, grieving employee won’t come back full-time, and more March 2016 am I too quiet in interviews? my boss rewrote my resume and 2 more updates from letter-writers my coworker keeps sending junior staff to relay messages for her my manager is terrible at PowerPoint, having employees’ backs against racist clients, and more how can I stop obsessing over a harsh email? my coworker won’t stop asking me for help we can be fired if our friends and family don’t follow the company’s religious values group interviews, coworker refuses to use a computer or a printer, and more my former employer is requiring me to return to finalize my resignation — after I already left how to tell if an employee’s workload is too high manager keeps missing deadlines that impact my work my company told me to change my LinkedIn information, interrupting coworker, and more why are job candidates balking at an interview over lunch? everything you need to know about getting fired is my employee lying about needing bereavement leave? is it true that 80% of job openings are never advertised, last-minute meetings, and more weekend free-for-all – March 26-27, 2016 I can’t get added to the email list for work parties, avoiding work travel during IVF, and more how to say “I can start immediately” when I’m still employed update: emailing the office about a medical issue with my baby open thread – March 25-26, 2016 I was laid off and now my manager wants my help, I don’t want my company car, and more how can I get my coworker to stop rambling and get to the point? update: my part-time job wants me to work more days — am I being unreasonable in saying no? should pet peeves impact a hiring decision? avoiding a farewell dinner, a coworker’s secret unpaid overtime, and more I don’t want to throw my team under the bus about a mistake that wasn’t my fault when a reliable employee starts making mistakes my office is being overrun by misbehaving dogs employee takes a vacation day every week, listing Airbnb hosting on a resume, and more how do I tell a laid-off coworker that her old job is open but she shouldn’t apply? 3 things great managers tell their teams my boss keeps telling me I “have a face on” I’m in so many meetings that I don’t have time to do my job, being called “manageress,” and more I interviewed for a job that apparently doesn’t exist don’t make these wrong assumptions about your job interview two of my employees had a shouting match about PDA and social media my boss told me to stop emailing him, a job interviewer secretly taped me, and more weekend free-for-all – March 19-20, 2016 I badmouthed my employer to classmates, references were contacted before I was even interviewed, and more can you reform a tyrant manager? open thread – March 18-19, 2016 my boss is livid that I don’t have experience I never claimed to have, employee always barges into my office, and more how can I be more concise at work? update: my boss’s wife is rude and insulting, and we’re forced to deal with her ask the readers: managing a student organization when no one else does any work and you’re stuck doing it all yourself boss wants me to give him dirt on my coworker, manager thinks I accepted a job but I didn’t, and more receptionist leaves early every day and spends too much time not working what to do if you catch a job candidate lying in an interview when can I ask about salary if the job posting doesn’t list it? how do I give a reference for my awful boss, employer will fire anyone who job-searches, and more how much do typos matter when applying for a job? your multi-tasking is hurting you, you should track your time for a month, and more my employee secretly brought her kids to work and forced a coworker to watch them applying for a job when the posted salary is too low, am I an overstepping upstart, and more doesn’t “leave a bad job” conflict with “don’t be a job hopper”? what you need to know about talking politics at work I found a horrible blog about a coworker — and it’s true I haven’t told my employer I don’t have a car, my mentee is a bad person, and more weekend free-for-all – March 12-13, 2016 requiring people to be on time, advance warning of layoffs, and more update: how can I move from retail into a professional career? boss pooped in people’s lunch bags and set off small bombs for fun open thread – March 11-12, 2016 employer is asking me to do a major project for free, paying for my coworkers’ water, and more update: people think I’m my boss’s assistant — but I’m not the introvert’s guide to better relationships with coworkers my boss and I agreed to plan my exit from my job — what should that look like? are patterned stockings unprofessional, how to list freelance work on a resume, and more I dread meetings with a snotty coworker who calls me by the wrong name my coworker keeps bossing me around my boss wants to talk about her feelings all the time employee came in with blue hair, boss is circumventing HR, and more how to handle customers who just want to chat how to turn bad ideas into good ones what to do when you’re the boss’s favorite — and coworkers resent it should you call in sick for a cold, saying no to after-hours work activities, and more am I being stingy with my contacts? what you need to know if your job search skills are rusty how do I choose a career path? our personality types are hung on a wall, anonymously paying customers’ bills, and more weekend free-for-all – March 5-6, 2016 when your public work doesn’t reflect your skills, schedule conflict with job interview, and more banning trash cans unless we sign a pledge never to put food in them open thread – March 4-5, 2016 my sister might apply for a job in my 2-person department, coworker won’t take on new work, and more why it sometimes helps to soften your language in awkward situations 5 ways to avoid needing a team-building event how do I write a compelling cover letter when I don’t have much work experience? I’m addicted to job searching, interviewing just for practice, and more my work studio is being used as a nursing mothers’ room when a positive reference suddenly turns negative the reality check post: does your job suck or are you being too picky? my office smells like a corpse, my fired coworker blames me, and more my dad says I shouldn’t have asked for time to think over a job offer should you get rid of all the managers? how can I make sure my team meets deadlines? how to tell an employee to stop cc’ing my boss, exclamation points in cover letters, and more February 2016 update: telling a member that his behavior at our events is ruining it for everyone else how to prepare for a second interview how can I talk sense into a young relative with terrible workplace habits? I was offered my boss’s job but now she’s not leaving, negotiating salary through a recruiter, and more weekend free-for-all – February 27-28, 2016 coworkers keep trying to get me to do things that aren’t my job, when to ask for a promotion, and more stop marking your job application emails as urgent about that Yelp employee who got fired after publishing an open letter to the CEO… open thread – February 26-27, 2016 overwhelmed with meeting requests, what am I allowed to do during work hours, and more everything you need to know about time off when you start a new job how to get coworkers to help on your projects — even when they don’t have to my boss won’t stop pressuring me to work more hours using a reference-checking service, is my first job awful or am I too picky, and more making new hires sing a song at a staff meeting when you don’t click with your interviewer telling a member that his behavior at our events is ruining it for everyone else do you need life insurance? quite possibly. employee deserves a higher performance evaluation rating, how to respond to “is everything okay?” and more talking about passion in an interview, and an update how to get people to leave you alone so you can focus, without making everyone hate you can I address an employee’s social media use on sick days? we get a daily memo with feedback on everyone’s performance, mandatory flu shots, and more is it rude to ask resigning employees where they’re going? 8 embarrassing LinkedIn mistakes if you’re having trouble reading Ask a Manager on mobile, do this a good employee who’s really a terrible employee HR stole my parking space, asking colleagues to say I’m out when my abusive mother calls, and more weekend free-for-all – February 20-21, 2016 colleague told me to “stay in my lane,” feeling useless at first job, and more update: I’m getting mixed messages about whether I have to work overtime how to reject an internal job candidate open thread – February 19-20, 2016 my company wants me to return a gift from a client, interviewer said I need a better answer, and more I can’t hear during conference calls because of munching and bag-crinkling how to say “that won’t work” without seeming like the office Eeyore are the requirements in job postings more like wish lists or strict requirements? attending an employee’s wedding, interns and gift-giving, and more how do I get my coworkers to stop using me as tech support? can my employer make me answer my cell phone when I’m on vacation? employer wants us to install invasive GPS trackers on our personal vehicles if we use them for work constant door-knocking interrupts me, choosing between a job and a vacation, and more update: my boss accused me of faking a panic attack to get out of a meeting why your new productivity system might not stick, how to use your “biological prime time,” and more what do I say when an employee assumes they can do something that they shouldn’t? coworker keeps spamming the office email list, can’t make an out-of-town interview, and more snow and work (and a secret open thread) people think I’m my boss’s assistant — but I’m not letting a manager know employee is job-searching, texting recruiters, and more weekend free-for-all – February 13-14, 2016 can I block people from walking through my office, who should my reference be, and more employer asked “do you have a translation of the Latin?” about my diploma should you penalize job candidates who apply at the last minute? open thread – February 12-13, 2016 people keep telling me how hot my field is, I got a bad reference but don’t know who it was, and more what to say when people ask why an employee was fired how to get heard at meetings — especially if you’re soft-spoken or introverted are professionally done resumes worth it? telling my boss someone doesn’t want to work with him, an ageist job applicant, and more low performers in my office are paraded around and forced to wear dunce caps my new boss treats me like a personal assistant should I take the first job I can, just to get out of a bad situation? can I decline a personality test, coworkers are trying to reassign my work, and more my employee wants to be micromanaged do you expect your staff to read your mind? my coworkers mercilessly tease me about my drunken holiday party behavior asking for time off when coworkers don’t, odd bathroom restrictions, and more should you put the job title you’re applying for on your resume? if you must have an office romance, here’s how to keep it professional I think my boss just hired my replacement, but hasn’t told me putting fanfiction on a resume, telling an ex-friend’s employer what she’s really like, and more weekend free-for-all – February 6-7, 2016 managing by posting lists, giving a reference for a former coworker who wasn’t very good, and more update: my coworker constantly misses work and I have to do her job for her open thread – February 5-6, 2016 how can I get out of my office’s basketball game, can’t keep working without a contract, and more ask the readers: etiquette for the office gym — changing, showering, attire, and other terrifying questions a round-up of good advice for managing people and projects my coworker cc’s tons of higher-ups whenever he emails me with a problem boss said I could have time off as long as it wasn’t for an interview, coworker won’t stop asking me questions, and more I’m getting mixed messages about whether I have to work overtime my employer promised me a raise and better title 3 years ago — and it hasn’t happened yet my coworker announced she’ll only check email twice a week coworker won’t say please and thank you, telling someone’s boss they were speeding, and more I bombed a weird interview after no sleep how to improve transparency on your team can we tell dating employees that one of them has to leave the organization? new hire confessed she lied about her skills, I’m managing my boss’s spouse, and more cold-emailing strangers to ask for career advice 5 workplace laws your employer might be violating I’m being asked to cover for an under-performing coworker employee’s husband hanging out in office, job searching from a work laptop, and more January 2016 weekend free-for-all – January 30-31, 2016 boss confiscates food gifts, getting people to turn in time sheets on time, and more bad manager or deliberate saboteur? open thread – January 29-30, 2016 getting ready for work in the office bathroom, dropping a client who tried to renegotiate rates, and more can I ask my interviewer if they’re likely to want someone with more experience? how to build a leadership pipeline on your team what consequences can managers enforce, other than firing someone? boss accused me of faking a panic attack to get out of a meeting, coworker is taking over my social life, and more don’t send condescending, over-the-top rejection letters can I reopen negotiations on a job offer I already accepted? my new hire turned from Dr. Jekyll to Mr. Hyde CEO’s son drives like a madman while I’m in the car, director follows up on emails in person, and more can you ask to come back to a question later in the interview, and how long can you pause before it seems weird? what’s your time management personality type? my boss says I don’t respond to people quickly, but I do my manager doesn’t respect my personal space, telling applicants that a job is volunteer, and more after I get the job, can I ask who else was in the candidate pool? 5 reasons you need to leave your toxic job should I feel guilty about driving for Uber when others need the work more? was I fired or laid off, buying alcohol on a lunch break, and more weekend free-for-all – January 23-24, 2016 coworker sings and talks while we’re in the bathroom, acting supervisor gave me grief about teleworking during blizzard, and more update: is my trainer sabotaging my work? open thread – January 22-23, 2016 old boss tried to sabotage new job, leaving early to avoid snow, and more how to communicate with job candidates when a hiring process is dragging out how should managers handle snow days? my coworker constantly misses work and I have to do her job for her Blue Apron will be your sous chef tonight new manager says I’m young and untrustworthy, coworker is angry that I won’t cut my hours, and more will I be judged for having a messy office? why I’m thankful for the bad managers in my past my boss doesn’t know she’s about to be fired — and I’m replacing her how can I ask my coworkers to stop talking about politics, interview shoes when it’s snowy, and more a member of our professional group is making people feel excluded the exact cost of a toxic employee, collaboration overload, and more my exempt employees are confused about how to manage their own time my boss rewrote my resume and it’s terrible, my reference said that his skills are better than mine, and more my favorite cover letter tips, and why you should volunteer if you’re unemployed 8 tips for parents returning to the workforce am I going overboard with praising my staff? my new coworker is a registered sex offender, we’re becoming weak from lack of food at work, and more weekend free-for-all – January 16-17, 2016 resigning because of homesickness, job changed after I was hired, and more my employee sulks when his work is questioned open thread – January 15-16, 2016 do you need a local area code when job searching, candidates keep stalking my voicemail, and more my boss is pressuring me to tell my coworkers about my pregnancy sooner than I want to how to coach an employee on soft skills my boss told me I won’t be considered for a promotion unless I get a “personal brand” former cofounder is trash-talking our organization, new boss quit right before my new job starts, and more is it ever okay to ask to talk to a customer’s manager? how can I make my boss stop talking to me when I’m trying to work? should we stop stocking the office kitchen if people won’t keep it clean? cutting the salary of a low-performing new hire, I lied in an interview, and more why won’t my manager let me work extra hours? 4 of the toughest work personalities — and how to deal with them I’m in trouble for cc’ing a laid-off coworker on a message questioning her layoff new employee won’t stop talking about her old job, losing money on a business trip, and more is it okay to mention “mommy brain” in a job interview? 8 phrases to remove from your work vocabulary I feel insulted by my raise — and I let my boss know it friends think I should bash an employer on Twitter, recruiters who text, and more weekend free-for-all – January 9-10, 2016 networking contacts keep sending me bad job leads, surgery right after starting a new job, and more update: I’m interviewing for a job where I’d work at a small table in my boss’s office how can I stop gossiping at work? open thread – January 8, 2016 I got scolded for letting my team chat while they work, taking on new work while job hunting, and more do “pain letters” really work? how to build a culture of mentorship on your team how can I have accomplishments when I do the same thing every day? You Need a Budget urgent bathroom runs, applying for too many jobs, and more my manager told my coworker I complained about her work — but I didn’t my coworker accidentally complained about me … to me my staff doesn’t like it that I use the Socratic method with them current employee is job-searching, negotiating with an old boss, and more no, it’s not ever “impossible” to fire people how to teach people to bring solutions, not problems former employee of a league I write about is harassing me I can’t get a former coworker to respond to me, job offers made by FedEx, and more is it weird to have an essential oil diffuser in my office? 6 casually sexist things to stop saying at work I’m panicking that I might suck at my first professional job slow employee listening to podcasts, interviewing with a cold, and more update: my colleague won’t stop trash-talking herself New Year’s free-for-all – January 1, 2016 employees violated the spirit of office gift exchange, sales team won’t tell us their schedules, and more