my coworker is a talker and whines when I ask him to stop by Alison Green on April 14, 2021 A reader writes: I’m a mid-20’s woman and I share a tiny office with two coworkers who each have multiple grandchildren. My male coworker, Bob, is a talker. I have tried everything — the staring at my screen, typing furiously as he starts a conversation, the distracted “mhmm, ok”’s as he rambles, and straight up […] Read the full article →
how should I deal with a pompous, sexist coworker? by Alison Green on April 8, 2021 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: I’ve recently started a new job, I love my team, the work is engaging, my manager is amazing, the company culture really suits me, and they’re super flexible around Covid. But (there’s always a but) I’ve run into an issue with a coworker that’s impacting […] Read the full article →
HR questioned me for hours about a sex injury by Alison Green on April 6, 2021 A reader writes: This happened a few weeks ago and I’m hoping it’s resolved, but I’m at a loss as to what I could have done differently. In my personal life, I enjoy BDSM. I keep it out of my work life, obviously. I don’t ask anyone to call my partners master or wear obvious […] Read the full article →
my coworker suddenly dislikes me by Alison Green on March 30, 2021 A reader writes: I have been working at my current company for a little more than a year. One of my coworkers, Zoe, was really nice to me and friendly in general, but the last month or so, she feels a little cold and honestly like she just does not want to talk to me […] Read the full article →
my coworker is too personally invested in her job by Alison Green on March 30, 2021 A reader writes: I have a question about going over someone’s head to raise concerns to their supervisor. This isn’t a concern with her quality of work, nor anything she’s done wrong — it’s more out of concern for her as a person. She technically outranks me, but only in title, not in the kind […] Read the full article →
should I tell my boss I hate my job? by Alison Green on March 22, 2021 A reader writes: I started a new job a few months ago, and at first I was crazy excited about it. I was really looking forward to all the cool things I’d get to work on, the smart people I’d get to meet, and the new things I’d get to learn. Plus, the company I […] Read the full article →
my coworker sounds drunk on work calls by Alison Green on March 17, 2021 A reader writes: One of my coworkers is an older woman who lives alone. She could be a bit difficult before the pandemic because she gets very intense about her work, but during the pandemic she’s seemed markedly different. Lately it’s become apparent that she is impaired at times during the work day. She slurs […] Read the full article →
the office admin refuses to speak to me by Alison Green on March 16, 2021 A reader writes: I began a job with a new organization in December, with a downgrade in responsibility but a moderate increase in salary. My supervisor was hired at the same time (from another department within the organization) and did not assume her new role until the new year. This left a few weeks where […] Read the full article →
my coworker doesn’t quarantine after flying all over the country by Alison Green on February 24, 2021 A reader writes: My office split 60/40 working in the office versus working remotely. Due to my husband’s job in healthcare and my office’s looser adherence to health rules, I’ve continued to work from home. One of my coworkers, who is in his early 30s, has resumed traveling for fun. A lot. He’s taken 10 […] Read the full article →
HR treats my autistic employee like he’s an incompetent child by Alison Green on February 8, 2021 A reader writes: I’m a newly-promoted manager and my very first hire, David, who just started a few weeks ago, recently told me he is on the autistic spectrum. (I had figured that previously during the hiring process, but it’s not like I could just diagnose him.) I approached our head of HR, Danielle, with […] Read the full article →