should I tell an employee that the new hire sitting right across from him all day is unvaccinated? by Alison Green on November 8, 2022 A reader writes: The company I work for has weathered the pandemic okay. We’re a 100% in person, small U.S. manufacturing company. I’m HR, finance, many other things, and sometimes reception. Because of that, I’m in a unique position to know the vaccination status of all visitors (due to a Covid screening form they complete) […] Read the full article →
is it still OK to wear a mask to a job interview? by Alison Green on August 8, 2022 A reader writes: I am a new grad from an MLIS degree and I am also high-risk for Covid. I am now starting the job searching process, and I just got an email asking me to come for an interview. I am still masking everywhere in my life, which is non-negotiable for me, but I’m […] Read the full article →
workers are running out of time off and companies don’t care by Alison Green on July 18, 2022 Nearly two and a half years into the pandemic, companies still haven’t figured out how to manage Covid-related sick leave. A single bout of Covid can knock out all of someone’s sick days for the year, leaving many more months to get through where other illness or injury might arise (to say nothing of time […] Read the full article →
your coworkers with kids are not OK by Alison Green on February 14, 2022 With children under 5 still not able to be vaccinated and day cares frequently closing for COVID exposures, parents of young kids are struggling. Without reliable child care, they’re regularly forced to take time off work—often unpaid if they’ve already used all their PTO—or to try to work from home while caring for kids so […] Read the full article →
Covid has made my job a slog — when should I give up on it? by Alison Green on February 10, 2022 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: I am an administrator in a public service organization, and have held this job for just over four and a half years. Covid hit when I was just shy of three years in the role, so more than a third of my time here has […] Read the full article →
how do I talk to my anti-vaccine coworker? by Alison Green on October 19, 2021 A reader writes: I would love some advice on working with people who do not want to get a COVID vaccine. It seems so obvious to me that vaccination is the only way out of this dark age, and I’m really losing patience with one of my teammates who refuses to get the shot. Before […] Read the full article →
what do I do about work if my kids are sent home to quarantine? by Alison Green on October 12, 2021 A reader writes: After most of us being remote since March 2020 due to Covid, my office is now bringing everyone back a minimum of three days a week, with a clear preference for us to be there more than that. But I have two school-aged kids and every time they have a potential Covid […] Read the full article →
how will the vaccine mandate work exactly? by Alison Green on September 21, 2021 Earlier this month, President Joe Biden announced a series of measures to combat COVID-19 more aggressively, including a mandate that many employers require their workers to be vaccinated or undergo weekly testing. Here’s what we know so far about how the mandate will work. What exactly does the vaccination mandate require of businesses? Private-sector businesses […] Read the full article →
dealing with customers who are angry that we require masks and proof of vaccination by Alison Green on August 26, 2021 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers.” A reader writes: I work for a medium/large-sized performing arts organization. My org has been completely shuttered for what will be almost 20 months by the time we (fingers crossed) do our first performances in the fall. Needless to say, the pandemic has been pretty devastating for our entire […] Read the full article →
my company isn’t enforcing its vaccine mandate by Alison Green on August 17, 2021 A reader writes: My employer announced a vaccine mandate (with a waiver process) several months ago. That made me feel quite confident about returning to work in the office. Now the deadline is upon us. It’s not clear what will happen with people who have not gotten vaccinated or arranged for an exemption by the […] Read the full article →