I manage my sister, and she overshares about her breaks and sick time by Alison Green on April 10, 2024 A reader writes: I’m hoping you can help me with this conundrum. This situation is complicated by the fact that this is a family business, and all employees are my relatives and/or their romantic partners, but we have virtual assistant team members (independent contractors or third party services) who are party to these conversations. Background: […] Read the full article →
my friends are entitled contractors who are overstepping work boundaries by Alison Green on March 11, 2024 A reader writes: I have two friends, Drake and Josh, who I know from a retail job I had years ago. Drake and Josh work as contractors for Company A, which holds a big event at the end of every quarter. Company A holds the event across multiple cities at various venues and hires contractors […] Read the full article →
I might run into the person whose life I ruined at a work event by Alison Green on March 5, 2024 A reader writes: Almost a decade ago, I found out my fiancé (who I had been with for many years) was still with Sarah, the woman he had been dating for years before we got together — the one he told me he had broken up with to date me. It broke my heart and […] Read the full article →
how much can I pet my cat on video calls? by Alison Green on January 31, 2024 A reader writes: I have a somewhat low-stakes question that has been puzzling me lately. I’m wondering where the line is for interactions between me and my cat on Zoom calls. What is professional and what is not? My team is informal, with no dress code, and we sometimes show off our cats on video […] Read the full article →
how to work with a friend who has stopped talking to me by Alison Green on January 30, 2024 A reader writes: I could use help with handling a work friendship that is going through some ick. Lou is a remote worker (now in another country) whom I have never met in person. Shortly after he started a few years ago, we became close friends even with that distance. We’ve provided personal and professional […] Read the full article →
my rich friend is oblivious when he talks about money … and I’m at a breaking point by Alison Green on November 21, 2023 A reader writes: I’m writing for help because you’re the best writer I can think of who delivers the right words in the right way. My issue is workplace-adjacent without it actually being about a coworker. I’m at the end of my rope with friend, someone who I’ve known for 25 years, who is deeply […] Read the full article →
I referred a friend to a freelancer I work with and it went badly by Alison Green on November 8, 2023 A reader writes: A few years ago, I found a really excellent freelancer, Jane, to do some design work for the small firm I work at. She did such a great job and was so lovely to work with that we have continued to contract with her for various projects, and I’ve referred several colleagues […] Read the full article →
my friend keeps asking me to get him a job, but he’s completely inexperienced and unqualified by Alison Green on October 3, 2023 A reader writes: I work in a fairly specialized field in the nonprofit sector, but one which sometimes features in the news and which many people not in the industry therefore take a passing interest in (think something like promoting women’s soccer). My field is not one which has a fixed route to get into, […] Read the full article →
my husband and I share a home office — how do we make this work? by Alison Green on September 21, 2023 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: Has anyone successfully shared a home office (permanently) with their spouse/roommate/partner/etc and if so, what are your tips for success? My husband and I both work from home 75% of the time and have a three-bedroom house (currently occupied by our bedroom and our two […] Read the full article →
I’m poly — can I ask to bring both my partners to work events? by Alison Green on July 31, 2023 A reader writes: I know you’ve answered a couple of questions from managers of polyamorous employees who want to bring more than one partner to events, but as a relatively junior employee … what would be the best way to go about asking if it’s okay to bring two people? My institution (higher ed) throws […] Read the full article →