how can I dress professionally in horrible summer heat? by Alison Green on July 9, 2018 A reader writes: I’m wondering if you can help shed some light on standards of professional dress in the office. I work on a large college campus, it’s summer, it’s hot, and I have a 15-minute walk (uphill!) to my car. Everyone else in my office has a two-minute walk because parking is doled out […] Read the full article →
is it okay to say “no” at work? by Alison Green on July 9, 2018 My mail at Ask a Manager is full of letters from people who want to say no to something their employer is asking of them, but feel that they can’t – that part of having a job is putting up with whatever’s asked of them, or that pushing back would forever taint them in their […] Read the full article →
I got embarrassingly drunk at a work event by Alison Green on June 28, 2018 A reader writes: I’m seeking advice on how to apologize to several senior leaders in my company for my irresponsible and offensive drunken behavior at a recent work event. I had attended this event twice prior and had no such issues. This year, I put myself in a situation in which I should have stopped […] Read the full article →
I like talking crap about my coworkers on chat at work — will my manager find out? by Alison Green on June 26, 2018 A reader writes: I enjoy gossiping and talking crap about all my coworkers on chat at work. Should I assume my manager has access to these chats? Are managers able to read their employees chats and/or emails? I should probably just stop talking so much crap, but you know … it’s fun. Yes, assume your […] Read the full article →
how can I stop my office’s “I’m sorry” culture? by Alison Green on June 26, 2018 A reader writes: Do you have any advice on how to stop the “I’m sorry” culture in the workplace? I’m finding my colleagues and even my manager have created an extreme case of this culture, saying they’re sorry for being out sick, sorry for asking a question, sorry for needing to leave early to pick […] Read the full article →
it is okay to clip your nails at work? by Alison Green on June 13, 2018 A reader writes: Is it okay for folks to clip their nails in the office? In my last two cubicle-type jobs, there has been at least one person who clips their nails in the office on a regular basis. I think that practice is absolutely revolting (groom at home, people!), but other people I’ve vented […] Read the full article →
can I wear a backpack with a suit? by Alison Green on May 31, 2018 A reader writes: I’m a woman in her 30’s and I work in an office setting for a nonprofit. I commute via train and walking, and am often carrying quite a bit with me (lunch, a book, sometimes shoes, etc.). Last year I started having some minor pain on one side of my back, and […] Read the full article →
how to take feedback gracefully, without getting defensive by Alison Green on May 28, 2018 I’m off for Memorial Day, so here’s an older post from the archives. This was originally published in 2007 (and was one of the very first posts here!). If your manager takes the time to give you feedback, looking petulant and defensive and perhaps even outright pissed off is not a useful response. It’s not that you just […] Read the full article →
what to do if you hate your job by Alison Green on May 21, 2018 I wrote this for LinkedIn’s Weekend Essay this weekend. If you’re miserable at work, you’re not alone. Having written Ask a Manager for more than a decade now, I’ve answered questions from literally thousands of people who hate their jobs. Whether it’s due to a difficult boss, unpleasant colleagues, mind-numbing work, or a toxic culture, […] Read the full article →
do I really need to stay at work late to “show dedication”? by Alison Green on May 10, 2018 A reader writes: Thanks to your blog, I found the job of my dreams. I have so much autonomy and my boss is amazing. I arrive at 7 a.m. to beat the morning traffic. I leave at 4 p.m., again, to beat the traffic. My wonderful boss knows this. She’s in by 9 and out […] Read the full article →