how big of a deal is lying on a resume? by Alison Green on January 20, 2021 A reader writes: I am a director of a local nonprofit with a very visible presence in our area. Two years ago, I hired a new associate director, Gina, after she had amazing interviews and strong references. She has proven to be exceptional in her role. Eager, great sense of humor, very intelligent, poised, I […] Read the full article →
am I being a dress code snob? by Alison Green on January 19, 2021 A reader writes: About five months ago, I started a new job as a manager in a nonprofit with approximately 30 full-time employees and over 100 part-time employees. In my department, I inherited one full-time assistant and 15 part-time direct reports. We are a public-facing department with a large social media presence. The organization’s employee […] Read the full article →
should we let an employee resign instead of being fired? by Alison Green on January 13, 2021 A reader writes: I am the director of a pretty independent division in my company. I founded the area and we have grown to 13 employees in the past few years. I do most of the supervision but last year had my assistant director, Mark, take on more supervision tasks as a growth area. Some […] Read the full article →
my employee overshares medical details by Alison Green on January 11, 2021 A reader writes: I oversee a team of five members, and one person is very open about medical stuff. If she has a medical appointment, she not only informs me that she will be out of the office for the afternoon, but also what her symptoms and pain levels are, what kind of doctor she […] Read the full article →
how to support a struggling new manager by Alison Green on January 6, 2021 A reader writes: I manage a newish manager, Jane, who has a team of four. Her team includes Rose and Lisa, newly joined from elsewhere in the company but experienced in their roles. In fact, they have more experience than either me or Jane in this work. Both Rose and Lisa have performance problems. Jane […] Read the full article →
we went to the home of an employee who didn’t show up for work — and it went badly by Alison Green on January 4, 2021 A reader writes: Years ago, my husband owned a small computer business with a few employees. I occasionally helped him with it. One of the employees was an insulin-dependent middle-aged woman who lived alone. She had always been very reliable until one morning when she didn’t show up for work and didn’t answer her phone. […] Read the full article →
my employees are afraid to be promoted in case their coworkers resent them by Alison Green on December 23, 2020 A reader writes: I manage a public library. I have recently been tackling some personal issues among the staff and I’m not sure how to proceed. A lot has changed about the way we provide service in libraries, and recently two employees have really stepped up to the plate. I plan to promote them to […] Read the full article →
my employee didn’t check email for months by Alison Green on December 16, 2020 A reader writes: I am two years into taking the top job at a somewhat dysfunctional local government agency. I have an employee who has been here for 17 years and is mediocre in his performance. He does his job and does okay, but isn’t always a part of the team or as polite to […] Read the full article →
my intern wears leggings as pants by Alison Green on December 14, 2020 A reader writes: I have taken on a very capable, intelligent intern for the semester in an academic setting. I did tell her before she started that she would need to dress business casual. Several times I have noted that she has arrived at work in skin-tight leggings and tops that do not cover bottoms […] Read the full article →
my employees held a party without asking or involving me by Alison Green on December 9, 2020 A reader writes: My husband owns two companies and we are both very involved in the management of the businesses. The companies employ about 20 people. Company 1 invited all the employees in both businesses to a holiday party. This party was refused by all but one employee in company 2. Without any consideration, company […] Read the full article →