can I ignore my coworker’s calls and only communicate by email? by Alison Green on August 10, 2022 A reader writes: I work for a state corrections/law enforcement agency. We have state-issued laptops and cell phones. Our schedule is very flexible and self-directed: we work in the field, from home, and in the office. Our hours are set, but where we are working and what tasks we may be doing vary. I prefer […] Read the full article →
I’ve been overworked for months and my manager won’t help by Alison Green on August 9, 2022 A reader writes: I have been covering for a coworker who is the lead for our shared role for the past two months. Covering her for a few days would normally have been no problem, but due to our clinic being short-staffed and an increase in clientele, this is starting to take its toll on […] Read the full article →
I’m good at my job but I’m worried I’m lazy by Alison Green on July 12, 2022 A reader writes: I have worked in a demanding and creative career for almost 20 years. I have no college degree and no formal training, and I lucked into my first gig due to timing and strategic volunteerism. When I started this work, my only previous experience was in retail and I was desperate to […] Read the full article →
I’m supposed to be a superstar, but I don’t know how by Alison Green on June 9, 2022 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: After over a year of utterly fruitless job-searching post-graduation (shoutout to my fellow Virtual Grads, Class of 2020), I landed a job, thanks in no small part to your fantastic resume, cover letter, and interview advice. It was not what I pictured myself doing, but […] Read the full article →
do I care too much about email style? by Alison Green on June 7, 2022 A reader writes: I’m a freelance copyeditor for a firm, and emails are the only interaction I have with their communications team. I find myself appreciating the everyday fillers like “good morning” or “I hope you’re well” or “have a great weekend.” I know these are totally generic, yet it helps the interactions feel a […] Read the full article →
I’m not productive every single minute of every day by Alison Green on April 25, 2022 A reader writes: Recently, our vice president decided she wanted to start time tracking for our department. She has positioned this as wanting to gain a better understanding of which of our internal clients are taking up the most of our time, and what type of work we are doing, which I can definitely see […] Read the full article →
I don’t want to be the go-to person for everything at work by Alison Green on March 22, 2022 A reader writes: I keep becoming the “go-to” person who people rely on for more and more job functions until I’m unable to keep up. I’m the type of person who goes to my own birthday party and ends up fixing one friend’s phone and cleaning part of a different friend’s house before I go […] 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 →
can you really ever get past being a procrastinator? by Alison Green on February 17, 2022 It’s a new “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: I’m a lifelong underachieving procrastinator, so this post and the other update that mentioned it caught my attention. In thinking about them, it occurred to me that although I’ve read a ton of books and advice on how to cure procrastination, I kind of never […] Read the full article →
my coworkers told my boss I talk about my baby too much by Alison Green on January 19, 2022 A reader writes: I’m still processing the conversation I just had with my boss, so I’m sorry if this is a mess. I’m a new mom. My baby is going to be four months old later this week. I took 12 weeks off and returned to work a month ago. I manage a small team […] Read the full article →