a coworker’s child keeps saying insulting and bigoted things to me by Alison Green on September 22, 2022 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: I work in a nonprofit child care setting and the environment can be toxic at times. These people have all known each other for decades and have habits of lying for one another in professional settings to make the organization sound better than it actually […] Read the full article →
how should I deal with an anxious and needy coworker? by Alison Green on September 21, 2022 A reader writes: I have a coworker in her late 20’s, Patricia, who has been a part of my team for about five months now. I have been employed at this company for two years, but have been called back into the office after work from home was revoked. Patricia is supposed to be a […] Read the full article →
my coworker keeps trying to undermine me by Alison Green on September 20, 2022 A reader writes: I left a toxic job back in June, and accepted a higher-paying, higher-title job at a nonprofit organization I respect very much. The culture here is wonderful, my manager is fantastic, and, for the most part, so are my coworkers. There is one coworker, though, who I’m having a tough time with, […] Read the full article →
I stood up to a sexist coworker who wanted me to take all the notes for a team I’m not even on by Alison Green on September 14, 2022 A reader writes: Your recent letter about office housekeeping and calendar invites reminded me of an incident that happened at work about a year ago. I am the director of architecture for a company and work closely with a man who is my peer, the director of construction — we both directly report to the […] Read the full article →
I can’t escape Halloween Town by Alison Green on September 14, 2022 A reader writes: I live in a small city which doesn’t have many employment opportunities. The city has a high unemployment rate, and it’s rare to find work that isn’t in shops, farming, etc. Six years ago, the city council launched a project to fund start-up business ideas for marginalized individuals, including those with disabilities. […] Read the full article →
my remote coworkers refuse to chat or make social pleasantries with me by Alison Green on September 13, 2022 A reader writes: I’m having an ongoing, anxiety inducing problem at work I’m hoping you can help me with: Remote work is now the permanent state at my company, and I’m happy about that. However, when I try to ask my coworkers about their weekend, their opinion on something non-work related, or other “small talk” […] Read the full article →
I accidentally started a rumor about a coworker by Alison Green on September 6, 2022 A reader writes: I work for a large company. My department is four teams of six people, each under a manager who reports to a vice president. I have been working here for 10 years and my annual reports are all good, but I’ve been itching to move up the chain. A manager is retiring […] Read the full article →
pregnant coworker keeps saying awful things to my terminally ill sister by Alison Green on August 31, 2022 A reader writes: Hoo boy, this will be short but brutal. My little sister has terminal cancer — she has between 2-4 years left. No symptoms yet, so she’s still going to work every day. They’re a small company of 10 people (read: no HR dept) and one of those 10 is a woman apparently […] Read the full article →
pushy coworker won’t stop bringing me food I didn’t ask for by Alison Green on August 29, 2022 A reader writes: I started a new job just over a month ago. On my first day, a coworker — Kevin — asked if I would like a doughnut from a popular bakery near our office, as he was headed there anyway. I said yes, and he brought it. (He got my order wrong, but […] Read the full article →
my coworker posts love notes from their partner all over our shared office by Alison Green on August 23, 2022 A reader writes: I work in an office where everyone has a hybrid work schedule, in part because our physical office space doesn’t have enough office space for everyone to be in the office at the same time. It’s extremely clear that someone else uses your office on the days that you’re working from home. […] Read the full article →