navigating workplace Christmas overload as a non-Christian by Alison Green on December 7, 2023 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: I’d love to hear from you and/or your readers about how you handle the ubiquitous “holiday” activities every December that are invariably just Christmas celebrations. I’m not Christian and I always find this time of year tiring. It doesn’t help that I’m an elementary teacher, […] Read the full article →
share your funniest office holiday stories by Alison Green on November 30, 2023 We have once again entered the season of forced workplace merriment, holiday party disasters, and other seasonal delights! Thus it is time to hear about your office holiday debacles, past or current. Did you pass out naked in the break room? Did your manager provide you with a three-page document of “party procedures”? Were you given a […] Read the full article →
the Christmas bureaucrat, Secret Santa questionnaire, and other stories of holidays at work by Alison Green on November 22, 2023 It’s more holiday stories! Tradition dictates that as we head into the holiday season, we must revisit holiday stories previously shared by readers. Here are some favorites. 1. The depth of flavor “Not my story but my dad’s, and it makes me laugh every time. His workplace hosts an annual chili cookoff and everyone would bring […] Read the full article →
the Christmas tantrum, the potluck tyrant, and other tales of holidays at work by Alison Green on November 22, 2023 Over the years, readers have submitted a tremendous number of amusing stories about holidays at work, and since we’re heading into the holidays we must revisit them. Here are some of my favorites. 1. The Christmas tantrum “A woman who had worked at our office for more than twenty years pouted and threw tantrums like […] Read the full article →
the bacon monitor, the baby boom, and other stories of holidays at work by Alison Green on November 21, 2023 Over the years, readers have submitted a tremendous number of amusing stories about holidays at work. Here are some of my favorites. 1. The cook-off “Our office had a chili cook-off once. The morning of the potluck, it was announced that due to inclement winter weather and some people not being able to make it […] Read the full article →
the fraudulent bread pudding, the fig fight, and other food stories from work by Alison Green on November 20, 2023 All this week to get us in the holiday spirit, I’m going to be featuring holiday work stories readers have shared here in the past … and then updates season will start next week! To kick us off, here are 12 of my favorite stories you shared about potlucks and other food gatherings at work […] Read the full article →
how do I stop bringing work stress home with me? by Alison Green on November 16, 2023 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: I work a full-time corporate job and am a manager. I have a fair amount of stress related to my job, but I don’t believe it’s above the norm, in relation to other jobs I have. In terms of stakes, I’m not in charge of […] Read the full article →
when office potlucks and catered parties go wrong by Alison Green on November 9, 2023 As we’re getting closer to the season of office potlucks, catered parties, and other meals with coworkers, let’s discuss the many ways in which they can go wrong — from alarming cuisine to cheap-ass rolls to tantrums over the chili cook-off to that one coworker who steals entire trays of brownies. In the comment section, […] Read the full article →
what advice is important but you’ll never hear it from an employer? by Alison Green on November 2, 2023 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: I’m not sure what you would call this request, but I guess it’s to crowdsource what an employer might call “subversive” advice for early-career employees: the things they need to know to benefit them but that employers would prefer they didn’t know. I’m thinking of […] Read the full article →
have you ever had a spooky experience at work? by Alison Green on October 31, 2023 Did you ever work somewhere haunted? Feel the ghost of your predecessor marooned in your office? Encounter an evil spirit lurking in the copier? It’s Halloween, so let’s hear all your stories about spooky experiences at work. Share in the comment section! And to start us off, here are some particularly creepy stories from past […] Read the full article →