how do I live down a reputation for being “extra”? by Alison Green on October 8, 2024 A reader writes: How does one shake a reputation at work for being “extra”? Three years ago, I joined my current organization and quickly became known as a go-getter, an innovator, and someone good at their job. Senior level colleagues would learn about programs I had developed, express admiration, and ask to borrow the idea. […] Read the full article →
my coworker insisted on inviting her sister to my wedding by Alison Green on October 8, 2024 A reader writes: This happened a while ago, but I’m still weirded out by it. I worked in a very close-knit, small office (five people), where I got along very well with everyone except one person, “Gertrude.” Gertrude was in her first job out of school, so it’s likely she was new to working world […] Read the full article →
our coworker lied about having a sick child and a rich fiance by Alison Green on October 7, 2024 I’m off for a few days (probably back tomorrow), so here’s an older post from the archives. This was originally published in 2017. A reader writes: I’m really curious about what you would have done in this situation. I’ve worked for a company for a little over 10 years and there is a person, who […] Read the full article →
my coworker is setting toilet paper on fire in the bathroom by Alison Green on October 3, 2024 I’m off for a few days, so here’s an older post from the archives. This was originally published in 2019. A reader writes: I work in a small office (about 20 people at this branch of our company) and we have two individual restrooms (as opposed to stalls) in our central hallway. There is certainly […] Read the full article →
I get angry when my coworkers make mistakes by Alison Green on October 2, 2024 I’m off for a few days, so here’s an older post from the archives. This was originally published in 2017. A reader writes: I’ve got a question regarding how much “mistake tolerance” is expected in the workplace. Just to give you some background, I’m a (tech) team lead, which, in my case, means my daily […] Read the full article →
I’m in trouble for re-sorting a coworker’s trash — and I’m enraged by Alison Green on October 1, 2024 I’m off for a few days, so here’s an older post from the archives. This was originally published in 2019. A reader writes: I’ve worked at a medium sized tech company as a software engineer for the past two years now. Our city has an ordinance requiring all businesses to compost and recycle. I fully […] Read the full article →
my coworker told me to stop flirting with a student employee by Alison Green on October 1, 2024 I’m off for a few days, so here’s an older post from the archives. This was originally published in 2020. A reader writes: I am part of the HR department at my workplace, and we hired “Andre” a few months ago as a part of our student group. He’s only 18, but he’s been a […] Read the full article →
I share an office with someone who won’t stop talking by Alison Green on September 30, 2024 A reader writes: Due to renovations, I’m temporarily sharing an office with another employee. We work different jobs, but are technically peers. He is, frankly, driving me crazy. Every question that comes across his mind, he gets up and asks me. Most of these are surprisingly basic questions. Some questions are work-related. Some are random, […] Read the full article →
my coworker is obsessed with us being happy all the time by Alison Green on September 26, 2024 I’m off this week, so here’s an older post from the archives. This was originally published in 2019. A reader writes: My coworker, Lenora, is the oldest person in our office. She is generally friendly, cheerful, and a hard worker. However, despite her genuinely sweet nature, she is about to drive us all up the […] Read the full article →
my coworker apologizes All The Time — how can I get him to stop? by Alison Green on September 24, 2024 A reader writes: I work at a small public library and I have a coworker who is a very naturally anxious person. He apologizes for every little thing, whether it’s his fault, not his fault, or not something that could possibly be anyone’s fault. I feel like I hear him say “I’m so sorry” with […] Read the full article →