I get emotional when customers yell at me by Alison Green on September 17, 2020 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: I recently got promoted to assistant manager at an apartment complex and I feel pretty confident that I can do the job well. However, I know that whenever we have residents call in with complaints or we have people coming in and yelling, the calls […] Read the full article →
not over-sharing as a manager while trying to de-stigmatize mental health by Alison Green on September 10, 2020 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: I have a direct report for the first time in my career. We are both young-isn, though they are a bit younger than I am. I am a naturally open, chatty person with a tendency to overshare in general, so your advice about distinguishing between […] Read the full article →
what is your company providing if you’re working from home? by Alison Green on September 3, 2020 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: I was interviewing recently via Zoom for a remote role and the woman interviewing me (who is only a few months in at this company herself) had such a nice headset that I said something like, “Wow, that’s a great headset. I need to look […] Read the full article →
how is your company supporting employees with kids right now? by Alison Green on August 27, 2020 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: In this time of Covid and virtual school, what are your readers’ companies doing, if anything, to help with childcare issues? I work in HR at a manufacturing facility and our production workers are essential. We are trying to come up with creative ways to […] Read the full article →
I’m getting laid off and it’s threatening my sense of identity by Alison Green on August 20, 2020 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: So a few days ago I found out that my last day at my company (of over a decade) will be in two months. Due to the pandemic, there’s a re-org and downsizing and I, along with many others, are being let go. I’m not […] Read the full article →
when you live at work: let’s talk about company-provided housing by Alison Green on August 13, 2020 A couple of years ago, I told the story of the time when I worked for an organization that provided free housing for its interns. They’d bought a huge old house, renovated it magnificently, stocked it with food, and housed 6-8 interns in it year-round. They also had a staff member live there rent-free in […] Read the full article →
I’m struggling with working at home during COVID-19 by Alison Green on August 6, 2020 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. This week, it’s two questions on the same theme. A reader writes: What suggestions and recommendations do you have on staying productive and proactive while working from home with COVID stress? To give context, I’m incredibly fortunate to work for a company that has remained profitable and revenue […] Read the full article →
how can I be less emotionally invested during my job search? by Alison Green on July 30, 2020 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: I am about a year into my job search and it’s really wearing on me emotionally. I finished grad school about a year ago in a STEM-related (but not lucrative) field. I am trying to stay in the area where my partner lives and it […] Read the full article →
am I in the wrong about my employee’s COVID exposure? by Alison Green on July 28, 2020 A reader writes: My husband and I own a micro-business and have 1.5 post-Covid employees. Our full-time employee reported a possible exposure last week. He is considered essential so we reinforced precautions based on CDC recommendations for those who have unconfirmed exposure. The person he was exposed to was his girlfriend. The next day after […] Read the full article →
how do I change to “they” pronouns at work? by Alison Green on July 23, 2020 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: I’m considering starting to use “they” pronouns for myself at work. I’m sort of flailing on how to request that people switch pronouns (particularly when it doesn’t fit the standard he or she pronouns), as well as wondering in my mind how much it would […] Read the full article →