what consequences can managers enforce instead of firing someone? by Alison Green on April 6, 2022 A reader writes: I’m a new manager and I’m wondering about consequences. When an employee is not meeting expectations, you frequently mention that a manager should clearly explain the potential consequences if the issue is not fixed, up to and including letting the person go. What are those consequences prior to being fired? I’d like […] Read the full article →
my employee shouted “F*** you!” at a coworker — but he was provoked by Alison Green on April 6, 2022 I’m off today. Here’s a post that was originally published in 2017. A reader writes: I’ve been a manager at my company for nearly 10 years, but only with my current team for about six months. My role is hectic, and at the insistence of my own manager I am regularly required to attend meetings […] Read the full article →
my employee complains about her coworker but doesn’t want me to step in by Alison Green on April 4, 2022 A reader writes: One of my employees, Kelsey, has been with the company for just over one year. She sits next to an employee, Lorraine, who has been here for 15 years. They seem to get along most of the time, but Kelsey comes to me on a weekly basis and says that Lorraine does […] Read the full article →
my employee bothers her coworker with constant questions by Alison Green on March 29, 2022 A reader writes: I manage two employees who share an office. Jane is a long-term employee and stellar worker. Katie is a new employee in an entry-level assistant role. Jane has been venting that Katie peppers her with many intrusive questions. For example: “Who was that on the phone?” … “What did you just print?” […] Read the full article →
employee said she was leaving and has been replaced, but now doesn’t know when she is going to leave by Alison Green on March 29, 2022 A reader writes: I am hoping you can help me with a dilemma I’m currently facing. My small nonprofit organization has been going through some staffing issues lately, and we recently had two employees leave abruptly due to family issues. My direct report approached me and our CEO two weeks ago on a Wednesday and […] Read the full article →
when an employee is too sick to call in sick by Alison Green on March 23, 2022 A reader writes: My employee, Matt, is in poor health. Over the years, he’s taken time off for many serious medical issues, and recently took a few months off for cancer treatment. He had medical clearance to return to work, but his health seems to be worse than ever and declining. Matt lives with his […] Read the full article →
my new employee argues even when he’s wrong by Alison Green on March 21, 2022 A reader writes: I have a newly hired employee who is bright and creative. This role is a new one for him, and it requires him to interface with the same people regularly both internally and externally. He has a habit of arguing that he is right even when he is shown to be wrong […] Read the full article →
employee only does well after I warn her about her work by Alison Green on March 15, 2022 A reader writes: I have a new hire who is several months in. She seems to only do well at her job and pay attention to detail when we have a conversation that she is on “notice” and things need to improve. Notice period ends — problems have resolved, and then a week later she’s […] Read the full article →
I get angry when employees make mistakes by Alison Green on March 14, 2022 A reader writes: I’ve got a question regarding how much “mistake tolerance” is expected in the workplace. I have very low, almost zero, tolerance for mistakes. Whenever I see a mistake in anyone’s work, especially trivial ones, I will get very angry. The rationale in my head is always “We have one job and one […] Read the full article →
my employee keeps fake quitting by Alison Green on March 9, 2022 A reader writes: I hired an employee less than 90 days ago. The team had not been fully staffed for several months and was happy to have him. A month after starting, he came into my office and started a meeting by saying, straight-faced, “I’ve been here a month, and I’ve decided to offer my […] Read the full article →