I’m hypersensitive to criticism — how do I fix this? by Alison Green on September 21, 2021 I’m on vacation today. This was originally published in 2018. A reader writes: I am currently working as a receptionist for the next few months until I complete my schooling. I have been dealing with what I can only describe as hypersensitivity when it comes to feedback or criticism about my work. When I hear […] Read the full article →
can I tell clients I don’t talk on the phone? by Alison Green on September 20, 2021 A reader writes: I run my own small graphic design business. I work with some regular clients, but a lot of my work is one-off projects for small business clients. I’m always open to new clients, though I also have a steady stream of work, enough to be comfortable. Here’s the problem: often, a client […] Read the full article →
how do I manage an unmanageable workload? by Alison Green on September 16, 2021 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: I work in Big 4 Accounting, in tax. This industry is notorious for long hours during busy season and lack of work/life balance. My firm has flexibility, good benefits, and nice people; so, despite the hours, I’m reasonably happy. While I dream of taking a […] Read the full article →
my boss told me not to give greeting cards to older men because it could seem sexual by Alison Green on August 31, 2021 A reader writes: This happened back in April, but I’m talking about it now because a coworker brought attention to it. I’m a female junior employee in my early twenties who just graduated with my bachelor’s last year. My manager at my office job is in his fifties. This past April, I gave Easter cards […] Read the full article →
inside the weird world of out-of-office messages by Alison Green on August 30, 2021 With many people squeezing in vacation time before the summer ends, this is the season of out-of-office messages – most of them comprised of similarly bland boilerplate (“I am off work until the 7th and will answer your message upon my return”) but some of them decidedly more interesting. In a sea of generic out-of-office […] Read the full article →
how do I keep working in a job I hate while I look for a new one? by Alison Green on August 18, 2021 A reader writes: I’m in a role that is relatively new to me but I like quite a bit. However, due to a lot of factors, I am disenchanted with my employer. I am underpaid (getting my salary to the market range would be a 30-40% increase), have many internal blockers to success, and am […] Read the full article →
how do I adjust to working 8 hours a day? by Alison Green on August 5, 2021 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: I’m currently a college student interning with a firm for the summer and doing office work for the first time in my life. I am a good student, entering my third year this fall, but I’m really struggling with work. I am working a normal Mon-Friday […] Read the full article →
a manager scolded me for having a cold sore on my face by Alison Green on July 26, 2021 A reader writes: Is it unprofessional to go to work with active cold sores on your face? I occasionally get them and have never considered it to be a big deal until recently when someone at work commented on it. Last week I had a cold sore in the middle of my lower lip. It […] Read the full article →
can I keep mentioning my period at work? by Alison Green on June 29, 2021 A reader writes: I work in tech, in a fairly close-knit, moderately progressive office, with a majority of male coworkers. Many months, I get really bad fatigue before or during my period. It can knock me out for anywhere from half a day to a day and a half. If I need to take time […] Read the full article →
can I leave an unproductive meeting? by Alison Green on June 28, 2021 A reader writes: I work at an organization where we are very friendly and fairly informal. In our department, we have pairs of junior and senior staff working on the same portfolio, and everyone is supervised by the head of the department. I’m the junior in the pair, and my senior has known our boss […] Read the full article →