2017 Posts Return to main archives January February March April May June July August September October November December December 2017 New Year’s free-for-all – December 31, 2017 – January 1, 2018 most popular posts of 2017 weekend free-for-all – December 30-31, 2017 update: my coworker won’t stop caressing me — or the kids we work with updates: the travel anxiety, the chilly interviewer, and more updates: telling a candidate I have cancer, the diabetic coworker, and more my favorite posts of 2017 open thread – December 29-30, 2017 getting a rejection email on Christmas, manager suggested I take antidepressants, and more updates: the group project, the kid-obsessed coworkers, and more update: my husband can’t work because of his boss’s chemo update: I hate my new employee ask the readers: how do you know you want to be a manager? I get cut out of the loop after introducing people, employers that want high school transcripts, and more updates: the smoking quitter, the daily gifts, and more updates: the boss’s baby, the stress exaggerator, and more how can I address my employee’s bad attitude? an employee is putting magic curses on her coworkers update: how can I be more assertive at work? I couldn’t participate in team-building, coworker with an eating disorder, and more update: I’m a finalist for a job where it sounds like people work a ton of hours updates: the work note left on a grave and more how long should you wait to move on when you haven’t heard back from an employer? debriefing a project without personal attacks, letting people know I’ll be their reference, and more updates: the tonsils tyrant, the old job gossip, and more Christmas open thread – December 25, 2017 I’m being assigned “make up” work before maternity leave, coworker is pushing prescription pills, and more updates: the acne, the client apology, and more weekend free-for-all – December 23-24, 2017 updates: the pregnancy paranoia, the helicopter aunt and uncle, and more updates: too much money on cupcakes, the awful summer intern, and more a fired employee still wants to attend the office holiday party updates: the higher-earning male coworker, the target practice sheets, and more open thread – December 22-23, 2017 coworker gave me a smaller gift, volunteer is a hoarder, and more update: when an employee is too sick to call in sick update: my coworker responds to everything I ask him to do with profanity and “your mom” jokes update: I have a weird patchwork of responsibilities and feel unqualified for anything else the worst boss of 2017 is… update: my coworker treats our Spanish-speaking clients more poorly than other clients my coworkers tell me my diet will kill me, employee is missing too much work, and more updates: the Dixieland doorbell, plain dress in interviews, and more can I refuse to put up Christmas decorations at work? we have monthly meetings about everyone’s mistakes did I price myself out of a job, chipping in for a gift for the cleaners, and more update: my company wants to sponsor me for a service dog, but I’m not sure I should accept my coworker has terrible imposter syndrome my employee can’t manage her finances — should I say something? something personal anonymously emailing my terrible boss’s new job, do job offers have to be in writing, and more updates: the gossiper, the coffee tantrum, and more how companies can throw holiday parties people actually want to attend vote for the worst boss of 2017 food restrictions at a holiday party, sneaking a peek at interview questions, and more updates: the job candidate who cheated and more weekend free-for-all – December 16-17, 2018 updates: the Christmas lunch, the fired boss, and more updates: am I the office jerk, missing photo, and more solve your office gift shopping dilemmas with Staples updates: the interviewer’s gossiping wife, the employee who wore a blanket, and more all of my 2017 book recommendations update: my employee drastically changes her appearance in the middle of the workday open thread – December 15-16, 2017 update: my boss keeps invading my personal space hiding a raise from my coworker, I got sick during a gas leak, and more updates: the bird phobia, the boss who won’t accept a resignation, and more updates: the hypochrondria, the no-sharers, and more my company won’t let spouses attend the holiday party “I will confront you by Wednesday of this week” and other holiday stories my boss refused to send a dying coworker flowers, people keep stealing food for meetings, and more updates: the maternity clothes, the nude snapchats, and more update: my coworker won’t stop telling me that I smell my company throws terrible holiday parties update: I didn’t get a job because I was a bully in high school what are my obligations to a client when a project drags on? how to handle a serious mistake on a self-evaluation, asking candidates what other jobs they’re considering, and more updates: the office pooper, the fake brainstorming meeting, and more is my employee trying to sabotage me? should I tell my employer about my boundary-crossing coworker? my boss won’t stop contacting me after my hospitalization, do I use the bathroom too much, and more update: I bit my coworker don’t make these 6 mistakes at work this month do I really have to wear high heels to a job interview? employee is torturing her office mate with constant questions, sending a holiday card to your job interviewer, and more 10 Ask a Manager letters that will make you glad you’re single updates: the small lies, the boundary violator, and more weekend free-for-all – December 9-10, 2017 updates: the friend-boss and more updates: the juvenile boss, the smelly essential oils, and more update: my coworker copies everything I do open thread – December 8-9, 2017 should I hang my degree in my office, employee invited a toxic guest to our holiday party, and more update: my employee’s son is scamming her out of money, and I’m worried updates: the mirror gazer, the sick day lie, and more tell us your strangest office holiday stories my staff took offense to my Facebook post, private dinner ahead of a holiday party, and more update: my coworker keeps calling me his “work mom” our new assistant doesn’t have boundaries the person who holds the job I’m applying for doesn’t like me asking my assistant to return my change, I’m freezing at my desk, and more updates: requiring an employee to be in the office more, the psychological interviews, and more update: my employee dressed up as a coworker for Halloween to mock her being forced to perform a team dance at the holiday party, and other questions about holidays at work my work clothes are revealing more than I intended my interviewer’s wife told people about my job search, my date to the holiday party is a coworker, and more update: my employee didn’t give a coworker the message that his wife was in surgery, and now everyone hates him advice for first-time managers update: my coworker thinks I’m being abused – I’m actually into BDSM you can save serious money on holiday shopping my hair looks different than when I interviewed, we turned in our IT director, and more weekend free-for-all – December 2-3, 2017 3 updates: the boss crush, the bad volunteer, and more open thread – December 1-2, 2017 asking a coworker to introduce me to her celebrity friends, losing expensive work equipment, and more November 2017 can I leverage a job offer to get my organization to fire my boss? 3 updates from letter-writers (the candidate who lied, the pumping teacher, and more) my boss doesn’t care about me personally or professionally my boss pushes me to buy things from her spouse, jobs that want a 2-week trial period, and more now you can pre-order the new Ask a Manager book should I tip off my coworker that he’s getting laid off? my coworker brings her aggressive dog to work correcting coworkers who use the wrong words, negative coworker is stressing me out, and more my employee can’t accept that his performance is bad how do I get less emotionally invested in my work? my company is pushing me to give up my car, which I need my manager won’t stop talking about her romantic problems, not eating at the office Christmas lunch, and more how can I stop my employees from giving me holiday gifts? how to get hired for a nonprofit job my coworker wants to find the office pooper — and it’s me my boss sent me bad news during a funeral, my new hire argues even when he’s wrong, and more weekend free-for-all – November 25-26, 2017 open thread – November 24-25, 2017 how thankful should I be to my employer, bosses want to talk about my diet, and more a bunch of holiday letters from years past Thanksgiving free-for-all – November 23, 2017 banana thefts, peppers for potlucks, and other weird office food stories a colleague is hitting on me and I don’t know how to respond I negotiated and was told not to make it weird, my coworker stole people’s credit cards, and more I asked for a lower-stress job and my workload got worse do you say thank-you often enough at work? my annoying coworker is driving everyone crazy my company publicly shames people who get hurt on the job, current employer asked my new job to change my start date, and more how can I find out what skills an employer is really looking for? Buzzfeed’s 23 favorite Ask a Manager letters my boyfriend’s horrible ex-girlfriend got a job at my company my coworker disappears for hours every day, should I walk away from this salary negotiation, and more weekend free-for-all — November 18-19, 2017 4 updates from letter-writers (the unfair work-from-home set-up, the IVF, and more) open thread – November 17-18, 2017 when an employee is too sick to call in sick, my boss steals all the holiday gifts, and more where are you now? (a call for updates) update: my employees played a horrible prank on a coworker weirdest office food stories: potluck mishaps and other times food at work went wrong I was replaced by a cartoon, managing a snide former peer, and more our best employee may quit over holiday time off my mentor doesn’t want to be a reference for me my employees played a horrible prank on a coworker — what do I do now? employee pronounces everything as a question, I goofed off at work and now I’m paranoid, and more is it okay to wear designer clothes to a job interview? is my workload too high or am I bad at my job? my employee never apologizes when his mistakes cause extra work for other people my coworker calls me his “work mom,” my employee keeps fake quitting, and more is it okay to microwave fish in the office kitchen? how to recognize a bad workplace … before you take the job my team keeps coming to work hungover bringing a date to the office holiday party, I don’t want to donate to a coworker’s GoFundMe, and more weekend free-for-all – November 11-12, 2017 update: my boss wants to be my work mom open thread – November 10-11, 2017 company is taking us to a musical mocking religion, custodian might be taking my food, and more our CEO won’t let go of a retired employee my employees say a coworker slacks off when I’m not around what are your best Excel and Word tricks? cheating in an office bake-off, my boss is advertising my job because I was out sick, and more my mom keeps sending me job postings even though I’m happily employed do you have to fake passion to get a job? how should you decide which battles to pick at work? employee has already decorated for Christmas, explaining a chronic cough to coworkers, and more my boss keeps asking me why I didn’t do work that I’ve already done my boss is pressuring me to get pregnant my coworker thinks I’m being abused – I’m actually into BDSM rejection email called me “shite,” my office is getting rid of assigned desks, and more how can I write a resume when my jobs don’t have measurable results? how to deal with a coworker who’s rude to you I let someone push my employee around and now it’s a mess employee dressed up as coworker for Halloween to mock her, fending off a colleague’s dinner invitations, and more when rejection letters get condescending… weekend free-for-all – November 4-5, 2017 a network faux pas lots of people make, and feeling resentful toward vacationing coworkers open thread – November 3-4, 2017 my coworker is pregnant with my boss’s baby, typing tests for senior-level jobs, and more how is being recruited different from just applying for a job? my coworker’s kids are running wild in our office interview with a private investigator fired for wearing a Halloween costume to work, bug drama, and more update: my coworker’s husband gets annoyed when our meetings run over I’m in trouble for not participating in athletic events at work my manager cleans and reorganizes our desks every day my boss lied about raises, interviewing with sweaty hands, and more October 2017 should I show how angry I am when I resign? my coworkers keep talking to me when I’m trying to work have you ever had a spooky experience at work? when an employee turns in late work, telling your interviewer “I really want this job,” and more my department will fall apart if I get pregnant and take maternity leave here’s how to dress up for Halloween at work without alienating all your coworkers I overheard my girlfriend on a work call and am worried she’s a mean boss employee is tethered to her phone, my former boss keeps trying to manage me, and more weekend free-for-all – October 28-29, 2017 update: my boss is unavailable and it’s driving us all mad open thread – October 27-28, 2017 can I do my own thing during business trip evenings, knitting on work breaks, and more is it okay to be honest about just being in it for the money? I shared career tips and some favorite letters with A Practical Wedding ask the readers: what red flags while you were interviewing turned out to be signs of real problems? my boss does my coworker’s laundry, employee always misses staff photo day, and more here’s another real-life sample of a great cover letter my manager wants me to lie to my new coworker my employee is snippy with people and dramatic about stress companies that say they have a “young vibe,” do new grads really need to stick to one-page resumes, and more my coworker has a permanent auto-reply implying she’s away — but she’s not how do I work with someone I can’t stand? my assistant thinks she’s my peer my boss snooped in my personal email account, my employee quit smoking and is being a pain, and more here’s me talking about the ghosting ex here’s the right way to submit your resume online can I ask my boss to deny my vacation request so I don’t have to go home for Christmas? my coworker keeps saying she’s my boss, my boss didn’t reciprocate my gifts to his kids, and more weekend free-for-all – October 21-22, 2017 4 updates from letter-writers (the cheating boss, the strong-arming of a promotion, and more) open thread – October 20-21, 2017 why are contractors treated like second-class citizens, boss enters without knocking, and more I don’t want to refer my ex-girlfriend to a previous employer … but I feel guilty about it my boss borrows money from me and doesn’t pay me back update: my employee is refusing to travel because her husband said she can’t my coworker is doing my work, what’s up with “dream jobs,” and more our security guard slept with an employee, then asked her to pay him for it should I tell my boss that my coworker’s work sucks? my coworker assigns me work, says “no rush,” and then checks on it an hour later my former boss wants a log of all my work, “tell us in 140 characters why you’re perfect for the job,” and more my coworker uses the office bathroom as her personal phone booth my intern has a terrible attitude my employee isn’t performing well — but is getting a ton of public praise I do regular happy hours with only one of my staff members, asking a new hire to go by her last name, and more an employer invited me to interview but never responded to my reply here’s the right way to format your resume how to say no to coworkers who ask me to take on work I don’t have time for my boss goes overboard for Halloween, hiring manager called me seven times in two hours, and more weekend free-for-all – October 14-15, 2017 open thread – October 13-14, 2017 should I warn a candidate that one of her references was bad, boobs in cover letters, and more can I refuse to answer questions about my personal background? update: is the work environment I’ve created on my team too exclusive? what’s the worst “you need to show gumption to get a job?” advice you’ve heard? should I tell my coworkers I have hemorrhoids, all my interviewers were running late, and more my coworker over-delivers and it’s causing us major problems should you end an interview early if the candidate obviously isn’t right for the job? my boss is questioning the need for my child’s medical care a bank called my employer to complain about me, I got my interview date wrong, and more does an employer asking you to name your salary requirements first mean they’re jerks? how can I get over impostor syndrome? my coworker brings her boyfriend to work every day — and his kid comes too interviewing for a job in a sketchy neighborhood, my employees blow off meetings, and more what to do if your boss finds out you called him a moron can I negotiate credit for future publications as part of a job offer? coworker is obviously pregnant but hasn’t told us, negotiating for more vacation time, and more weekend free-for-all – October 7-8, 2017 how can I get included in after-work drinks? open thread – October 6-7, 2017 approaching a hiring manager in public, coworker keeps nagging me about diet soda, and more when is it okay to address someone I don’t know well by their first name in an email? I’m mentoring a know-it-all resigning via cod, a glorious out-of-office message, and other quitting stories my coworker is making me late, my boss won’t answer my texts, and more I could delete my former employer’s website — should I? should you really ask for the job at the end of an interview? we have to be interviewed by a psychologist to get promoted my boss goes through my things, how far back to list your experience, and more what’s the best way to handle friends who apply for jobs where they’d be working with me? do I complain too much at work? I told my coworkers I didn’t want to talk about the Las Vegas attack and I got grilled my boss spends all his time on the internet, I’m in the middle of a coworker’s crush, and more how do employers know if you’re answering “have you ever been fired” honestly? all your questions about negotiating salary, answered my male colleagues expect me to do the department’s admin work haircut drama, avoiding video chats with clients, and more September 2017 weekend free-for-all — September 30 – October 1, 2017 open thread – September 29-30, 2017 employer stole the work sample I created for an interview, coworker uses an offensive word, and more my coworker bragged about getting someone fired for harassing her 4 reader updates (including the person who was jealous of her attractive employee) spectacular resignation stories: share in the comments my coworkers say I’m not fast enough, going to work after being sprayed by a skunk, and more my manager accused me of making up numbers how to deal with a hostile interviewer my husband doesn’t want me to go on a business trip to Vegas coworker asks me the same questions over and over, hiding burlesque work at a new job, and more my coworker keeps badgering me about why I don’t drive my boss doesn’t believe I’m really quitting update: I ghosted my ex, and she’s about to be my new boss attending a coworker’s disciplinary meeting, rescinded vacation time, and more I answered more questions on the radio this weekend what to do when you disagree with your boss’s feedback my new employee spends too much time justifying everything my boss won’t let me quit, treating people like adults while enforcing high standards, and more weekend free-for-all – September 23-24, 2017 my boss wants me to collaborate with my awful coworker open thread – September 22-23, 2017 telling my boss about a rumor he might lose his job, advocating for my staff, and more can you ask a reference what they said about you? update: my company’s accountant is nitpicking my pretty frugal travel expenses stolen lunches, missing mugs, and other petty office thefts: share your stories will my mental health get in the way of a promotion, bad resume advice, and more how can I increase my chances when I’m under-qualified for a job? when the employee you recommended gets fired my boss is unavailable and it’s driving us all mad my coworkers are terrible tippers, slackers are ruining remote work for the rest of us, and more my office makes us cook and eat lunch together every day how can I get my staff to talk in meetings? I’m a recent grad and feel like I’m working too much can I talk to my boss about how she’s treating my coworker, interview exercises, and more my interview on Marketplace about how to job search how hiring managers decide who to interview did my intern frame my coworker for credit card theft? coworkers and weight talk, my boss rescinded my day off, and more weekend free-for-all – September 16-17, 2017 open thread – September 15-16, 2017 employer wants my SAT scores, raffling off extra vacation days, and more my coworker is ruining her relationship with our boss update: I got caught lying about a sick day did my employee quit or is she in a ditch somewhere? I don’t want an intern, I’m dating my boss, and more my boss misunderstands emails because she only skims them new hire is badmouthing our business on Twitter I keep finding my coworker in a compromising position … with himself my boss is shirtless in his staff photo, bug bites at work, and more I moved into our admin’s office and she’s unhappy about it how can I be more assertive at work? my introverted employee wants to use email for everything here’s a massive discount on the Ask a Manager job-searching bible my boss’s family comes to work with her, will employers care that I drop my G’s, and more how to dress for an interview without making it obvious to your coworkers here are the secrets to acing a phone interview my coworker keeps asking everyone for loans my boss gets annoyed when I bring up problems, I use a fake name with clients, and more weekend free-for-all – September 9-10, 2017 do you have to be paid if your office is closed because of a hurricane? how to deal with salespeople who won’t take no for an answer open thread – September 8-9, 2017 I was fired for forwarding resumes to myself, asking not to telecommute, and more how legit are those “best places to work” lists? update: my coworker tickled another coworker, and now there is chaos my CEO wants me to send his relative’s resume to “all my contacts” offering prayers to a coworker, employee falsely accused of attending a white supremacist march, and more can I put World of Warcraft leadership experience on my resume? my contact wants to charge me for a networking meeting my employee didn’t give a coworker the message that his wife was in surgery, and now everyone hates him my office doesn’t give us computers, my coworker gets paranoid when I talk to his staff, and more how to tell someone “this is your job, not mine” all the men in my office are taking weekly outings together my coworker keeps asking his wife for input on our projects I overheard my interviewers talking about me, coworker badgered me into telling her my salary, and more Labor Day open thread should I ask job interviewers to sign a confidentiality agreement? accepting an offer without negotiating, having employees drive me to work, and more weekend free-for-all – September 2-3, 2017 open thread – September 1-2, 2017 resigning when my boss’s wife just died, being paid less than a male predecessor, and more August 2017 my company’s accountant is nitpicking my pretty frugal travel expenses 4 updates from letter-writers (the clock watcher, the over-sized chair, and more) what mistakes did you make as a new manager? an employee punched a manager who didn’t approve her day off, getting out of a training session, and more my coworker constantly complains, gossips, and is generally unpleasant new job offered me a lower salary than I expected I was in a car accident and everyone is livid with me for not being on top of my work I got caught lying about a sick day, my boss calls me “pet,” and more I received a networking email from a stranger who’s job searching for her husband should I tell my coworker about my crush, and other workplace romance questions how much should I change my style to meet my employee’s emotional needs? manager paid bonuses from her own money, mailing list etiquette, and more my coworker keeps falling asleep at her desk how not to be the annoying new person at your new job my coworker trained me and now won’t stop telling me how to do my job I faked a team brainstorming meeting, my coworker lies about how much work she does, and more weekend free-for-all – August 26-27, 2017 open thread – August 25-26, 2017 new employee faking her social media following, my manager tries to sell me products I don’t want, and more a job candidate cut me out of an interview in favor of my male colleague updates from letter-writers (the anxiety, the trash-talking recruiter, the unreliable contractor, and the shared desk) how many hours are you expected to work? working with an over-complimenter, former employee is angry we didn’t acknowledge a death in his family, and more coworkers keep commenting on how quiet I am my coworker keeps cc’ing our manager when she emails me my employee apologizes for mistakes she didn’t make my office posted “no complaining” posters, dinner with my boss cost me $500, and more I ghosted my ex, and she’s about to be my new boss I have to share a hotel room with a coworker who screams in her sleep how to reject a really bad internal applicant should I tell my ex-boss he’s driving away assistants, aggressive good-morning greeters, and more me talking about bringing kids to work (and dogs too) should you let your boss know you’re job searching? my employee shouted “F*** you!” at a coworker — but he was provoked my coworker forged an email, employee keeps asking for pay advances, and more weekend free-for-all – August 19-20, 2017 update: why should employers care about my long commute? open thread – August 18-19, 2017 who should pay for a medical emergency while on work travel, office AC wars, and more how do I tell my friend that I’m about to become his boss? 3 updates from letter-writers (the text tantrum, the reverse job fair, and returning to the old job) ask the readers: how can I balance kids, marriage, and a job, when I sometimes have to work in the evening? coworker wants to bring puppy to work, working in a coffee shop after graduating, and more is it okay for your bra straps to show at work? how can I get employees to find answers for themselves? I don’t want to eat or travel alone with people of the opposite sex summer intern is awful, boss wants me to make a PowerPoint for her raise request, and more the ethics of firing racist protesters I hate my new employee I get angry when my coworkers make mistakes I’m in trouble for forwarding emails, did job candidate really do the work she claims, and more what’s up with this patronizing rejection letter? update: I won’t be considered for a promotion unless I promise not to leave if my coworker gets the job is it unprofessional to wear the same clothing item twice in a work week? my coworker wants to pull me into her counteroffer, boss is going to trash-talk me when I leave, and more weekend free-for-all – August 12-13, 2017 how can I get my employees to stop socializing in front of clients? open thread – August 11-12, 2017 our customers talk about our sizes, sending interview questions in advance, and more update: my aunt and uncle are extreme helicopter parents — and I work with their son update: my coworker won’t stop caressing me — or the kids we work with what benefits do you get? interviewer called me the weakest candidate, being asked for pay stubs during salary negotiation, and more 3 updates from letter-writers (the acne, the ghoster, and the texting boss) is it unprofessional to use emoticons in work emails? do you really have to stay at a job for at least a year? my boss complains about me to my parents, my boss doesn’t want me to work while traveling, and more update: my boss made me leave a work note at a grave our interns are clueless about our office dress code new employee insists we call her “Mrs. ____” even though we all use first names should I tell my boss I’ve had a crush on him, I got in trouble for a private conversation, and more update: my boss’s kid punched me in the groin the federal government is taking up overtime pay again a conversation with a job seeker frustrated by an interviewer my boss worries I’ll get pregnant, I accused my husband’s coworkers of sleeping with him, and more weekend free-for-all – August 5-6, 2017 update: I resigned, and my employer asked me to write them a check open thread – August 4-5, 2017 can I refuse to travel for work, I got emotional in a meeting, and more can your employer do that? probably — but you can still discuss it 3 updates from letter-writers (the hypochondria, the religious enforcement, and the automated phone screen) ask the readers: coworkers who got the meaning of words very, very wrong interviewing a candidate who lied, my boss died right after I started my job, and more update: is the work environment I’ve created on my team too exclusive? can we ban smelly foods in the office microwave? why won’t anyone hire me as their visionary? my coworker copies everything I do, Icy Hot at work, and more ask the readers: when and how do you involve a partner in your career decisions? how do I get a boundary-violating dude at work to back off? my salary changed on my first day of work my employee won’t take time off, my boss keeps invading my personal space, and more July 2017 my coworker is angry that I didn’t invite her to an informal tutoring session here’s what your job interviewers say after you leave the room European clients are sneering at my American colleagues’ table manners my partner on a group project is holding everything up, chilly behavior at the end of an interview, and more weekend free-for-all – July 29-30, 2017 how to deal with a controlling coworker open thread – July 28-29, 2017 my coworker caused a car accident and I don’t want to ride with her, taking notes at a job interview, and more I don’t want my young coworker to be taken advantage of 3 updates from recent letter-writers can I ask my employee to stop showing off her wealth? my boss thinks we’re best friends, including social media on a resume, and more my HR rep keeps using a Pepe the Frog emoji my boss’s kid punched me in the groin my coworker won’t stop complaining it’s taking me too long to write a resume, boss is enforcing his own sexist dress code, and more should you bring your lunch on your first day of work? I manage a team of lovable screw-ups is the work environment I’ve created on my team too exclusive? someone left a self-help book on my desk, requiring an employee to be in the office more, and more when should I follow up after a job interview? everything you want to know (or maybe don’t want to know) about job rejections there’s a civil war in my office and I don’t want to take sides company wants to take over my personal phone number, should I tell my just-hired manager my concerns about the hiring process, and more weekend free-for-all – July 22-23, 2017 update: telling my company to revoke my IT access during our legal dispute open thread – July 21-22, 2017 calling in sick with cramps, application system is flagging me as using “inappropriate words,” and more we hired someone without talking to any references … and it went badly with teen employees, where’s the line between reprimands and firing? (and a niece weighs in) my family thinks my daughter is too picky about the jobs she applies for how to disinvite an intern from our trivia team, I was told to take a week off unpaid due to someone else’s health, and more courtesy interviews: when colleagues pressure you to interview candidates they’ve referred don’t bring cupcakes to work when you’re new on the job my employee lies and says other people’s work is her own my coworker is off-putting, my boss thinks travel reimbursements are part of our compensation, and more what subject line should I use when I’m emailing a job application? listing “maid of honor” on your resume, and other questions about weddings and work my boss wants to be my work mom my staff keeps calling me when I’m off work, my anxiety caused a work problem, and more me talking about office dress codes in the summer, flip flops, and that biting letter how to turn your internship into a full-time job offer I think an employee is sending nude Snapchats to his coworkers … with animal filters I was fired after disabling my coworker’s caps-lock key, leaving on time to pick up my dog, and more weekend free-for-all – July 15-16, 2017 my boss is a raging alcoholic open thread – July 14-15, 2017 my new employee applied for another job and I’m on the search committee, and 4 other questions I feel guilty about resigning when a bunch of my coworkers recently left update: CEO’s wife ruined my job prospects ask the readers: what flies in your industry that would shock others? our staff chat all day long and it’s messing up their work, my daughter rejected me for a job, and more how to avoid being pulled into drama when someone is fired do dogs belong in job interviews? I bit my coworker advertising a job I might not hire for, secondhand smoke when you’re interviewing, and more how do I manage people in an open office where everyone can hear what I say? my office is in chaos – and it’s all falling on me my young employee is undermining herself with constant talk about her parents and her age what do people do all day in 9-5 jobs, will a beard keep you from getting hired, and more I’m gluten-free and missing out on awesome work food perks how to survive your summer interns my employee has hypochondria and is annoying all his coworkers my boss forced my coworker to apologize, I got rejected three minutes after applying for a job, and more weekend free-for-all – July 8-9, 2017 open thread – July 7-8, 2017 should I wear a suit my first day at a new job, fighting writer’s block, and more my coworker treats our Spanish-speaking clients more poorly than other clients update: my employee insinuated I was having an affair … with my husband ask the readers: have you ever quickly realized you weren’t a culture fit with an office? running clothes at work, my coworker lost her daughter and keeps giving me her things, and more I’m terrified of graduating and am panicking about finding a job why are employers so rude to job candidates? CEO’s wife ruined my job prospects breakfast on business trips, employee’s chair is way too big, and more 4th of July open thread can I ask my boss to tell me more about why she wants to meet? my otherwise lovely coworker keeps picking her nose in public (and the return of a niece) my office won’t buy tissues, avoiding new projects when you’re preparing to quit, and more weekend free-for-all – July 1-2, 2017 June 2017 open thread – June 30-July 1, 2017 the person who reviews our work gossips about it, did I mishandle this travel reimbursement, and more my manager delegates to the group rather than to a person update: a coworker (knowingly?) walked in on me while I was pumping breast milk colleges’ “competency badges” for students are a terrible idea should I alert a gross Tinder user’s employer, people who arrive really early for appointments, and more how can I get out of chauffeuring my coworker everywhere? how can I stop gossip on my staff? my coworkers constantly joke around when I need work answers employee’s boyfriend says our manager can’t contact her, anxiety about work travel, and more business contacts say they want to ask my opinion, but it’s really a sales pitch my work habits are going to get me fired my spouse and I want to be a cam couple my boss doesn’t like my maternity clothes, employee wears a blanket for sun protection, and more my husband can’t work because of his boss’s chemo how to prepare for 5 questions you’ll be asked at your next interview I have to fire a highly inept summer intern should I talk to a coworker about how she dresses, I live with my bosses, and more weekend free-for-all – June 24-25, 2017 my biggest client is a jerk open thread – June 23-24, 2017 I overheard my interviewer calling me a schmuck, are managers obligated to give references, and more did I lead my interviewer on? update: my coworker acts like the food police ask the readers: what kind of work can I do that’s not in an office? I want to bill an employer who wasted my time, returning to work after working in the adult industry, and more the Ask a Manager book is coming what to say to a chronically late employee should I sabotage my terrible employer on my way out? my mom is mad I didn’t negotiate more, inappropriate ring tones, and more my employee insinuated I was having an affair … with my husband what should I say to terrible networkers? I’m constantly anxious that one of my employees will quit someone drew genitalia on our intern’s cast, I want my employee to work on his day off, and more on your resume, which comes first — job title or company name? how to write a cover letter that will help you get an interview my boss keeps leaving work to go to her second job covering up bruises at work, I compared my interviewer with my dog, and more weekend free-for-all – June 17-18, 2017 my boss is out of her gourd and threw a fit about my coffee open thread – June 16-17, 2017 music lyrics at work, avoiding Facebook-friending a colleague, and more how long should I wait for a job candidate to respond when I’m scheduling interviews? update: my boss got drunk and was angry that I couldn’t drive him back to the office ask the readers: times when work warped your thinking coworkers rely on my work to fund our barbecues, annoyed by salary negotiations, and more interviewer told me to clear the whole day for a phone call how many questions can you ask in a job interview? a job applicant found our interview notes on each candidate hating your job versus hating working, toilet seat etiquette, and more what does “culture fit” really mean? do I need to give up an impressive business contact who’s hitting on me? my boss refused to move on with a meeting until quiet staff spoke up is my acne keeping me from getting a job, employee is crying every day, and more me, talking about new grads (Marketplace), the difficulty of perfect responses (Quartz), and more interview lines that make hiring managers cringe I’m embarrassed about the mistakes I made in my internship police are at my office after a coworker was fired, how direct should I be with a rambling employee, and more weekend free-for-all – June 10-11, 2017 I feel awful about firing someone open thread – June 9-10, 2017 interviewers didn’t leave me any time to ask my own questions, my boss wants to sue me for quitting, and more a coworker (knowingly?) walked in on me while I was pumping breast milk update: how upset should I be about a re-hired employee’s quick resignation? ask the readers: when depression gets in the way of work my office barely responded when my mom had an accident, networking attempts from someone I wouldn’t recommend, and more online dating rejections vs. job rejections how to deal with a bad interviewer my employee drastically changes her appearance in the middle of the workday my coworker carries a taser to work, interviewer timed my answers to questions, and more let’s talk about advice columns I get plenty of job interviews but no offers should our office have a policy on healthy eating at work? office doorbell plays “Dixieland,” company forces clients to write online reviews, and more does your college major really matter when you’re looking for a job? 8 weird workplace myths that you probably believe a coworker anonymously left breath mints on my desk my coworker chews tobacco all day long, sketchy request from an interviewer, and more weekend free-for-all – June 3-4, 2017 open thread – June 2-3, 2017 fundraising for an ex-employee’s family, employees don’t want to share anything from training, and more my coworker used a racial slur at our boss’s home 3 updates from letter-writers ask the readers: what are the professional boundaries when managing our nanny? coworker eats with his mouth open, new hire keeps disappearing, and more May 2017 two of my employees have been ridiculing a coworker behind his back I was hired as a change agent — and now my company is backtracking I broke up with a coworker, and I’m afraid it will be a problem at work my boss treats me like I’m not very smart, I got in trouble for taking someone’s juice, and more update: my employee is having an affair with a married coworker my boss is so busy that I can’t get any time with him am I the office jerk? my sister abused my employee discount, the word “boss,” and more a decade of Ask a Manager weekend free-for-all – May 27-28, 2017 open thread – May 26-27, 2017 should you tell an interviewee she has something in her teeth, employees are apathetic about company-wide meetings, and more can I knit during work meetings? 4 updates from letter-writers how can we get employees to follow our strict time-of-arrival policy? accepting a big favor from employees, taking time off when you’re a one-person department, and more my employee constantly talks about waiting for 5:00 and the weekend how to deal with a loud coworker saying “how are you?” feels inauthentic to me my boss fired me and won’t let me return to visit friends, skipping my boss’s barbecue, and more how to speak up when women in your office are called “girls” are new managers supposed to be this stressed out? how upset should I be about a re-hired employee’s quick resignation? how many doctor’s appointments are too many, nervous about mentoring a smart intern, and more this gross app wants you to flirt with your coworkers 6 lies your career center told you how can 20somethings know if something is worth complaining about or leaving a job over? who should communicate a lay-off, asking for a raise after three months at a new job, and more weekend free-for-all – May 20-21, 2017 how to deal with weird interview questions open thread – May 19-20, 2017 I love frequent meetings, my employee won’t stick to a schedule, and more company decided they couldn’t afford to hire me after a lengthy interview process update: I had a fling with my new boss’s then-husband your coworkers are very dramatic friends keep asking me to write their resumes, can I ask to resign instead of being fired, and more my manager told us we were going to be laid off — but she was wrong the dark side of “unlimited” vacation time I reported my sexist team to HR — and now they’re doing a much bigger investigation than I wanted offering a finder’s fee for help finding a job, banning significant others from work events, and more my office is really into corporate lingo I want to get pregnant … but I love my new job I’m in a dominant/submissive relationship — can I wear a collar to work? my coworker is lying about attending meetings, I need to fire a volunteer, and more your boss sucks and isn’t going to change what do employers ask when they call your references? I know a job candidate regularly cheated on his fiancé — should I say anything? my company is really into personality tests, I hate my headshot, and more weekend free-for-all – May 13-14, 2017 when’s the best time of day to quit your job? open thread – May 12-13, 2017 figuring out if a manager is about to leave, dreading coworkers’ attention about my engagement, and more how to turn a request for free help into paid consulting update: I’m jealous of my employee and it’s impacting how I treat her ask the readers: weirdly dramatic responses to mundane office changes the best office perk anyone could ever offer me I’m stuck in an Airbnb with colleagues, assistants and office care-taking, and more I was one of the interns fired for writing a proposal for a more flexible dress code should you keep interviewing after accepting a job offer? my employee set up a false fraud investigation … because she was being abused and wanted the police my employee’s boyfriend asked for my permission to marry her, managing an incredibly efficient person, and more my boss and my coworker have heated arguments with F-bombs my employee is having an affair with a married coworker my coworkers all stopped going to lunch with me coworker is angry about a prank, using time off for elective surgery, and more update: when is it time to admit that you can’t do a job? 3 job interview tricks that you probably haven’t heard before my boss books escorts with his company email coworkers are using Snapchat in staff meetings, my office is old and gross, and more weekend free-for-all – May 6-7, 2017 the rise of the Dark Knight workplace vigilante open thread – May 5-6, 2017 boss won’t stop asking how he can thank us, interviews when your spouse is a candidate, and more what niche job boards do you use to find job openings? update: my new boss cheated in college — and I was the one to investigate him my coworkers are snarky and air frustrations in front of the whole staff employee told two coworkers they’re overweight, friend has no experience but wants the job, and more update: I accidentally insulted my boss’s daughter how to fire an employee who’s trying hard can I tell clients that I don’t talk on the phone? sharing a hotel room when you snore, coworker heats up fish in the office microwave, and more I’m annoyed that my old employer rejected me via form letter even though I’m qualified for the job when is it time to admit that you can’t do a job? my coworker tickled another coworker, and now there is chaos am I over-sharing with my boss, warning contacts about my terrible former employer, and more if you’re not getting interviews, here’s how to fix your resume and cover letter the etiquette of weddings and work we have public shamings about how often we say “um” and “uh” my office-mate just broke up with me, coffee wars, and more April 2017 weekend free-for-all – April 29-30, 2017 open thread – April 28-29, 2017 men with long hair at job interviews, I almost hit a coworker with my car, and more my interviewer asked “how low I was willing to go” on salary update on the bird phobia letter and the employee who won’t come back unless her coworker is fired we raised a lot of money to help a coworker — but the person holding the money died I got drunk and flipped out at a company dinner, talking about weaknesses in a job interview, and more my boss advertised my job without telling me how many interviews are too many? my intern told a horribly offensive joke at a meeting with other companies a friend interrupted my job interview, interviewer asked about the last time I cried, and more I didn’t get a job because I was a bully in high school how can I get my boss to let me work from home? my employee’s son is scamming her out of money, and I’m worried I keep falling asleep at work, employee won’t speak to me, and more me, talking about hugging at work (Wall St. Journal) and job interviews (Marketplace) will Congress get rid of mandatory overtime pay? can I rescind a job offer immediately? I overheard higher-ups complaining about my friend, posting on a company’s Facebook page after applying, and more weekend free-for-all – April 22-23, 2017 my boss is taking credit for my work open thread – April 21-22, 2017 drunk boss got angry I couldn’t drive him, emailing thank-you’s for routine office stuff, and more questions about resigning — while your boss is on maternity leave, when your boss is hard to find, and when your coworkers are leaving too update: my husband doesn’t want to comply with my company’s trading policy my mom is pressuring me to apply for jobs I don’t want telling your boss that she smells, misuse of group texts, and more ask the readers: have your gut feelings when job searching paid off? what to do when an employee is reluctant to take on a new project I accidentally insulted my boss’s daughter coworkers keep disrobing in front of me, breaking office chairs, and more should I create a video of myself and send it along with my job application? my boss is a slacker – should I tell someone? my boss is in crisis and it’s impacting the rest of us I don’t want to go to an office slumber party, I can’t get an extra day off before my wedding, and more how should you handle wardrobe malfunctions at work? 8 signs you’re a bad boss my boss is upset that I told my coworkers I was resigning before I told him I had a fling with my new boss’s then-husband, my team isn’t using the gift cards I gave them, and more weekend free-for-all – April 15-16, 2017 three updates from letter-writers open thread – April 14-15, 2017 giving a negative reference for a nightmare employee, I don’t want to come back after maternity leave, and more what’s the etiquette when you get a text from an unknown number? update: my coworker won’t stop talking about how stressed she is, and it makes me stressed out too how much do deadlines really matter in your field? my coworker loves meetings and jargon, temp is hawking health products at work, and more a volunteer group I founded years ago is devouring my life what to do when a candidate’s salary expectations are too high employee got her colleagues arrested for smoking pot at a conference and now wants a transfer embarrassing emails on a coworker’s phone, secret drinking parties, and more chill out with the bone-crushing handshakes my employee’s husband won’t stop calling me to complain about her evaluation my coworker won’t stop telling me that I smell asking an employee to cover the cost of a missed flight, tops with shoulder cut-outs at work, and more I have a bad feeling about the job I’m interviewing for should you do free work as part of a job interview? can I ask networking contacts to meet somewhere more convenient to me? You are sitting too much! Here’s a solution. interviewer asked if my resume exaggerates, office is weirdly secretive about hiring, and more weekend free-for-all – April 8-9, 2017 I don’t like to share my personal life with my coworkers open thread – April 7-8, 2017 client keeps saying “I love you,” can I get reimbursed for a doctor’s note, and more what do application deadlines really mean? update: telling a difficult, pushy employee that she’s right … without undermining your own authority ask the readers: how to refuse to share your salary history giving coworkers a questionnaire about my performance, gender-neutral pronouns, and more how do I mentally move on after not getting the job? how can managers get “alone time”? I get bored with all my jobs after six months I don’t want to work in the office sick bay, letting an employer know you’ll be in their city, and more employee won’t come back unless her coworker is fired how long after resigning should you still answer questions? how do I hold it together at work during a personal crisis? my boss asked if I’m depressed a fired employee’s wife is asking for his job back, negotiating when you’re happy with an offer, and more me, talking about favorite past letters and more 3 pieces of job search advice that don’t work in real life I accidentally sent my boss to Italy instead of Florida hiding Easter eggs at work, two coworkers/one bathroom, and more weekend free-for-all – April 1-2, 2017 March 2017 update: my coworker responds to everything I ask him to do with profanity and “your mom” jokes open thread – March 31-April 1, 2017 I’m embarrassed that my employee paid cash at a business lunch, we all get the same raises, and more I love my job, but hate the money 4 updates from recent letter-writers I’m spending too much money on cupcakes and snacks for my team company won’t reveal how much they’ll pay me, early morning client work when I’m several hours behind, and more my boss is giving me gifts of his own money to make up for my low pay what should I say if my boss asks if I’m job searching? cheek-kissing as a greeting at work some advice if you’re thinking about starting your own website work travel expenses with a baby, required to be on the “fun committee,” and more my colleague is allergic to me because of my cats my coworker won’t stop talking should I leave my new job after the first day? is it weird to stretch at work, is declining a reference call a red flag, and more I was rejected for a job because of my romantic history how to be happier at work my employee is refusing to travel because her husband said she can’t is it okay to cry when firing someone, employer is requesting my son’s marriage license and a copy of the wedding invitation, and more weekend free-for-all – March 25-26, 2017 things I like work questions from Friends, Gilmore Girls, Jane Austen, and more open thread – March 24-25, 2017 I want to stop cleaning our office, my interview was unfairly cancelled, and more is it time for me to ask for a promotion? update: my coworker has punched and kicked me under the table at meetings the things you don’t know about work when you’re early in your career boss texts constantly and blows up if I don’t respond immediately, boss refers to my girlfriend as my “roommate,” and more I want to help my easily frustrated coworker roll with the punches my boss wants me to pick up my coworker’s slack my coworkers seem to wish I were my predecessor my boss won’t accept my new married name, telling an interviewer that the job isn’t realistic, and more my boss tried to get my manicurist to tell her where I’m going after I leave this job I work with a mansplainer how can I be a good manager to an employee who barely speaks to me? employees aren’t covering their tabs when we go out for meals, my office is freezing, and more my interviewer asked to reschedule and then never got back to me why your boss won’t give you a raise how can I get my freelancers to turn in their work on time? my assistant quit because of St. Patrick’s Day pinching asking a client to cover child care costs, did I over-share about my new salary, and more weekend free-for-all – March 18-19, 2017 update: I racked up $20,000 in personal charges on my company credit card open thread – March 17-18, 2017 my boss is insisting I get my tonsils out, my applicants including cover letters, and more I resigned, and my employer asked me to write them a check update: our museum volunteer is out of control ask the readers: misconceptions about work when you’re early in your career I can’t get back to my desk if I forget my access card, my boss is upset with my new employer, and more I can’t work for my old boss again — and the job I’m in the running for might be hiring him should you post your resume on online job boards? my coworker won’t stop talking about how stressed she is, and it makes me stressed out too contacting my daughter’s employer about her affair, former coworkers keep asking if I have a new job yet, and more are you obligated to speak up when you’re unhappy at work? how can I get my staff to stop making trivial complaints all day? our coworker lied about having a sick child and a rich fiance can I give my coworker part of my raise, calling a coworker’s actions “unacceptable,” and more when no one gives you an opening to negotiate salary key phrases to use when you talk to your boss how can I stop being afraid every time my manager wants to talk to me? my assistant is constantly gazing in the mirror, lying to employers about salary, and more weekend free-for-all – March 11-12, 2017 I share a desk set-up with an engaged couple open thread – March 10-11, 2017 I’m being compared to a coworker with less work, fired because my manager lied about having a degree, and more my boss’s boss keeps asking me where she is update: my boss enlists me in hiding his multiple affairs from his wife I suck at role-playing exercises — can I get out of them? my friends stole my ideas and strung me along about a job offer, my networking connection is actually my spouse, and more my coworker is angry that I photoshopped her staff photo will working for a small company hold me back professionally? my coworker has punched and kicked me under the table at meetings my boss made me leave a work note at a grave, company won’t tell us when someone is fired, and more a teacher we employ forged vaccination paperwork for his child cable news plays in my office all day, and it’s killing me I got fired for attending a conference that I wasn’t invited to asking a coworker not to eat onions in the office, coworker never has the supplies she needs, and more I received an email warning me not to take the job I was just offered think twice before using Facebook’s new jobs feature telling a difficult, pushy employee that she’s right … without undermining your own authority interviewers who show up late, can’t find parking at my job, and more weekend free-for-all – March 4-5, 2017 what to say to a job candidate who no-shows for an interview open thread – March 3-4, 2017 I feel bad that I’m the second choice for a job offer, what “not enough applicants” means, and more my boss wants constant chit-chat and makes fun of us if we try to focus on work update: I manage someone who was terribly harmed by my family … what do I do? should I try to change my work habits and waste less time during the day? an office prank ended in injury, boss won’t stop talking about my pregnancy plans, and more after an employee died, her team has driven off anyone we hire to replace her my employees keep going to their old boss instead of coming to me I don’t get to go on my office’s weight loss reward cruise terrible intern is our director’s son, boss wants to control our bathroom breaks, and more February 2017 smelly essential oils at work … or what to do when employees’ medical needs conflict my boss keeps coming to work sick my coworker’s husband gets annoyed when our meetings run over old coworkers who won the lottery want to come back to work, a credible company has a fake-seeming website, and more how can we screen out micromanagers when hiring a new manager for our team? the psychology behind the office candy dish I won’t be considered for a promotion unless I promise not to leave if my coworker gets the job can you bill for your time after a long interview process, bringing in baked goods on your first day, and more weekend free-for-all – February 25-26, 2017 should I hire an overqualified candidate? open thread – February 24-25, 2017 I’m still getting calls from clients after being let go, my coworker is interfering in my work, and more my friend tried to strong-arm her way into a promotion update: is this job application horribly invasive or is it just me? do I really have to be on camera for my job? I’m jealous of my attractive employee, working for free when changing careers, and more is it weird to have your spouse visit you at your office? how can I help an employee who suffers from anxiety? my employee tells small lies but is otherwise good at her job how often can you take mental health days, is this employee ranking system insane, and more my boss wants 20% of my salary from my next job how should I handle questions about my age at work? I manage someone who was terribly harmed by my family … what do I do? candidate has applied for the same job 142 times, talking to an adult child’s employer, and more I’m a finalist for a job where it sounds like people work a ton of hours employer doesn’t want me to support any other charity, my employee doesn’t use enough words, and more weekend free-for-all – February 18-19, 2017 my ex-boss has gone from best friend to petulant child open thread – February 17-18, 2017 I’m trying to get fired, I’m supposed to bid against another job candidate on salary, and more I’m running my department but can’t get promoted into the director role update: coworkers are ranking the attractiveness of women in the office I’m sick — why are you calling me? anonymous complaint about politics, student workers keep interrupting my lunch, and more my aunt and uncle are extreme helicopter parents — and I work with their son my coworker keeps coming to my office and interrupting my work is it okay to hang target practice sheets up at work? did I err by reprimanding my direct report’s employee, revolving door on another team is causing problems, and more my office wants us to bring single friends to a Valentine’s Day singles mixer dealing with customers is making me miserable ask the readers: when workplace romance goes horribly wrong my mom says that using FMLA will prevent me from getting another job, requiring advance notice of requests to use time off, and more how can I deal with a hostile, unreasonable boss until I can leave? if you’re thinking of asking a coworker on a date… my boss won’t approve my time off for a video game competition employees sleeping at work during snow storm, recruiter sexually harassed me on a phone interview, and more weekend free-for-all – February 11-12, 2017 flaky interviewer is causing child care problems update: I am the nepotism hire who no one likes open thread – February 10-11, 2017 giving a colleague feedback on her nervous laugh, contributions to work baby showers, and more my boss is overloading me with work during my notice period how to have better relationships with other departments where’s the line between necessary self-promotion and overconfidence in cover letters? job candidate keeps talking about her mother, HR forwarded my message to my boss, and more what to tell my employee about another employee who’s underperforming how to get shorter answers from a rambling employee my coworkers know I’ve been in a volatile, possibly abusive relationship — can I bring my fiance to work events? raising ethical objections about a client, my boss wants to recruit my classmates for jobs, and more I think the compliments I’m getting are undermining my reputation I have to manage the office jerk my coworker came to work dressed as Jesus my boss hasn’t talked to me since Christmas, I’m supposed to bring green paper to my interview, and more I’m frustrated that my interview got canceled because the employer found better-qualified candidates the 8 worst questions to ask at your job interview my employee knowingly brought norovirus into the office and got a bunch of people sick the job changed after I accepted the offer, should managers pitch in when there’s a tight work deadline, and more weekend free-for-all – February 4-5, 2017 is this job as suspicious as it seems? update: my coworker is cc’ing his mother on work correspondence open thread – February 3-4, 2017 I used a white-sounding name on my resume and got way more interviews, our meeting food keeps getting eaten, and more if you think a PIP always ends in firing, you are wrong one way to give your staff more feedback should I turn down a job offer I was excited about until I met the CEO? you need this farm-to-table florist for Valentine’s Day employee asked for a 30% raise right after a serious performance conversation, coworker is hours late every day, and more am I patronizing the admin? is it better to hire for skills or attitude? my company is making us do mandatory sessions with a pushy, rude gym trainer job applicants’ parents keep calling me, coworkers are ranking the attractiveness of women in the office, and more January 2017 how can I stop being so helpful to coworkers? my incredibly mean coworker has cancer how much time can I take off when a pet dies? company refuses to let us come in with minor colds, coworker sends reminders about emails right after they’re sent, and more my chatty coworker won’t stop talking to me and panics when managers see us talking everything you need to know about job references my boss enlists me in hiding his multiple affairs from his wife coworker is never in the office, job postings for “energetic” candidates, and more weekend free-for-all – January 28-29, 2017 my boss may be insinuating I was fired open thread – January 27-28, 2017 how can my dad get his boss to fire him, letting a possibly high coworker drive, and more should I invite my lonely intern over for dinner? how to manage a team that’s been asked to do too much, why you might be doing “team work” all wrong, and more I feel guilty about having to reject good job candidates do you have to wear heels to a job interview, are interviewers turned off by how much I’ve done while unemployed, and more do I really need to schedule my wedding around work events? what to do when you’re put on a performance improvement plan I got my degree from a for-profit school that was shut down, and it’s hurting my job search how to quit a brand-new job, married coworker is being inappropriate with me, and more should I put my politics on display at work? I’m a bad employee – but there’s not much I can change should I tell my boss I know I’ve been a jerk and I’m getting therapy? two-page resumes while you’re still in school, new boss sends novel-length emails with hashtags, and more should you send job interview thank-you notes through email or postal mail? things that will make you look unprofessional in your job search I yelled at our intern wearing a fake wedding ring to a job interview, coworker bosses me around, and more weekend free-for-all – January 21-22, 2017 how to solve a conflict between two strong-willed employees open thread – January 20-21, 2017 a hiring manager chastised me for using his personal email address, my estranged spouse badmouthed me to my boss, and more how do I network with a senior person when I’m much more junior? be a better manager in 2017 when I give my staff feedback, they complain that I didn’t tell them earlier — but I’m telling them pretty fast when a manager keeps saying he took a chance on you, boss keeps canceling meetings, and more my manager keeps disparaging millennials on Facebook (and I’m a millennial) how to fire a volunteer why should I have to help clean the office kitchen when I never use it? can I promote my jewelry at work, my boss is bad at email, and more should I leave my good job for a better one? what do I owe my long-time employer when I quit? my coworker blocks colleagues’ messages when they ask for help and is a jerk … and our manager won’t act hiring someone for a job that might change soon, recommending a former coworker who left on bad terms, and more our company is making us do unreasonable things to accommodate a coworker’s mental health coworkers ask me too many questions, loud groups at company retreats, and more weekend free-for-all – January 14-15, 2017 updates: I’m a heroin addict and need time off to get clean, and more my coworker won’t stop badmouthing my new boss open thread – January 13-14, 2017 my interviewer left another candidate’s scorecard out, why online job application systems are so awful, and more I overheard my boss say that I’m not going to work out at this job stop setting goals you don’t actually care about, time management is ruining our lives, and more ask the readers: my business partner’s wife corners people at events and won’t stop talking recruiter is trash-talking the company I just took a job with, overly rigid interview schedules, and more my boss and coworkers all say “I love you” to each other how to interview a really nervous job candidate can you save a bad interview? my coworkers are coming back from lunch drunk, my manager wants me to talk to people in-person more often, and more my coworker’s husband is texting me and blaming me for their divorce my bosses hate each other how much money do you make? being asked to watch a manager’s kid, letting a struggling employee work from home, and more I got in a car accident because my company insisted I do an event in a remote town during a blizzard are your emails annoying your coworkers? my employee argues and debates every little assignment and decision should I tutor my boss’s son, avoiding insincerity in a resignation letter, and more weekend free-for-all – January 7-8, 2017 employers say they appreciate that I tried to negotiate salary, but they won’t budge open thread – January 6-7, 2017 skipping a team-building event during your notice period, wearing a face mask to work, and more my husband doesn’t want to comply with my company’s trading policy a round-up of advice for managing people and projects why do interviewers act like I’m about to be hired, and then reject me? did my manager tell my employee I can’t do my job, keeping my negative Glassdoor review anonymous, and more I want to have an indigenous spiritual ceremony for my team is it okay to fire an employee by phone or email? my boss asked me to log into a coworker’s email to delete a cruel message helping a bored new coworker, manager got injured at the concert we went to together, and more are my examples in interviews too negative? my boss asks for my input, won’t take it, and then turns out to be wrong should I re-hire an employee with a terrible attitude? we weren’t told our active shooter drill was just a drill, coworker uses our guest office as her personal phone booth, and more open thread – January 2, 2017 most popular posts of 2016