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FEBRUARY 16, 2023

This post, how do I tell interviewers why I’m leaving my job without badmouthing my employer? , was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. A reader writes: Is it badmouthing an employer if it is the truth? I have worked at my current job for almost 15 years. My boss is an attorney in a solo practice. He is planning to retire at the end of this year.

Retirement 85

Retirement Examples ATS Wellness 85

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FEBRUARY 16, 2023

This post, updates: the “low ego” job posting, getting reimbursed for parking, and more , was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. Here are four updates from past letter-writers. 1. Job posting asks for candidate with “low ego” (#5 at the link) I did take the job that said the ideal candidate would have a “low ego.” Turns out that means “willing to turn a blind eye to manager’s backhanded/ passive aggressive comments” and “unconc

Hiring 71

Hiring Career Development Policies Study 71

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NOVEMBER 16, 2022

This post, my coworker prayed that I’ll return to Jesus, coworker went through my laptop bag, and more , was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go…. 1. My coworker prayed that I’ll return to Jesus. I work in higher ed at a university that has roughly a 40% Jewish population. I have worked in my office for a little over four years.

Bonuses and Incentives 125

Bonuses and Incentives Payroll Company Productivity 125

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NOVEMBER 16, 2022

This post, should I let someone who no-called no-showed come back to work? , was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. A reader writes: The last two weeks have really made me question myself as a manager. Without getting into details, I had three of my staff of six quit within 10 days without notice. They’re for unrelated reasons, but we were already down one staff member so our schedule was devastated.

ATS 74

ATS 74

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NOVEMBER 16, 2022

This post, my company will only give me a raise if I quit first , was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. A reader writes: I work for a small company within a very niche field. The owner has been running it for decades and is an expert at this craft, and is in very high demand. The service the company offers is so specialized that the job takes about six months to a year of training, even with relevant prior experience.

Company 119

Company Hiring Software Interview Software Planning Tools 119

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NOVEMBER 15, 2022

This post, I get angry when I’m praised for doing work I don’t like , was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. A reader writes: Sometimes when receiving positive feedback, I feel irrationally angry about it. This is always when I’m doing a task I dislike. This, of course, causes problems at work when I’m doing a task I didn’t want to do in the first place and a supervisor tries to give me some encouragement.

Wellness 102

Wellness Examples Course ATS 102

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NOVEMBER 15, 2022

This post, my boss won’t let me move to another state — but I’m remote , was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. A reader writes: For eight years, I have been a fully remote employee. I am an outstanding employee, even winning Employee of the Year last year. After a year of great loss, I felt the need for a change of scenery and told the entire executive team that I was going to California to see if I wanted to live there.

Policies 88

Policies Course Meeting Company 88

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NOVEMBER 13, 2022

This post, my boss keeps weed in the office, should I warn coworkers about my chin tuck, and more , was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go…. 1. My boss keeps marijuana plants in the office. I live in Texas where cannabis, recreational or medical, is enough to get you sent to jail. It also doesn’t help that we’re in a conservative rural town with law enforcement eager to take you down for such a thing.

Report 91

Report Hiring ATS 91

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NOVEMBER 11, 2022

This post, weekend open thread – November 12-13, 2022 , was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. This comment section is open for any non-work-related discussion you’d like to have with other readers, by popular demand. Here are the rules for the weekend posts. Book recommendation of the week: Little Children , by Tom Perrotta.

Meeting 79

Meeting 79

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NOVEMBER 11, 2022

This post, open thread – November 11-12, 2022 , was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. It’s the Friday open thread! The comment section on this post is open for discussion with other readers on any work-related questions that you want to talk about (that includes school). If you want an answer from me, emailing me is still your best bet*, but this is a chance to take your questions to other readers. * If you submitted a question to me recently, please do not repost it

70

70

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NOVEMBER 11, 2022

This post, it’s your Friday good news , was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. It’s your Friday good news! 1. “I was headhunted for my current job as the only person in the world at the time to do what I do, and after 3.5 years received a raise that brought me to more than double what I had been at the old job. I really enjoy the people I work with (some of the best I have ever worked with), the culture of the company, and the work I do.

Time and Attendance 81

Time and Attendance Meeting Hiring Competencies 81

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AUGUST 10, 2022

This post, my boss says I’m not ready for a promotion, but is giving me work above my pay grade , was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager. A reader writes: I am a Junior X, which is an entry-level employee in higher education. In my specific industry within higher ed, people in my role stick around for two to three years before they get promoted or leave.

Industry 94

Industry Hiring ATS 94

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AUGUST 10, 2022

This post, can I ignore my coworker’s calls and only communicate by email? , was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager. 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.

HR Software 98

HR Software Immedis System Productivity 98

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AUGUST 10, 2022

This post, my employee keeps joking about getting fired , was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager. A reader writes: One of my top executives has been regularly joking about being replaced in her position within the company. As the owner, I asked her why she was doing this, questioning if it stemmed from a place of insecurity or from unhappiness in her position.

Wellness 103

Wellness How To Company ATS 103

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AUGUST 9, 2022

This post, employee walks off the job to cry every day, getting more info before an interview, and more , was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager. It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go…. 1. My employee walks off the job to cry … every day. I manage a very busy retail pharmacy. I have a young employee who does well at her job but has trouble controlling her emotions.

Video Recruiting 103

Video Recruiting Interview Software Planning Tools Screening 103

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AUGUST 9, 2022

This post, how do I ask the CEO if I can “borrow” his assistant for my projects? , was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager. I’m off today. This was originally published in 2012. A reader writes: I am eight days into a new job. It is a rather large corporation. When I was hired, I inquired about an assistant to answer my calls, emails, etc., because I had one at my previous job.

Industry 120

Industry Hiring Company ATS 120

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AUGUST 7, 2022

This post, my coworker told HR I’m resigning when I’m not, boss wants daily task updates, and more , was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager. It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go…. 1. My coworker told HR I’m resigning when I’m not. I recently got a job offer from a company that I was super excited about, but when the details came through about a day later, the offer turned out to be really, really bad.

HR Software 122

HR Software Hiring Software Interview Software Discrimination 122

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AUGUST 5, 2022

This post, weekend open thread – August 6-7, 2022 , was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager. This comment section is open for any non-work-related discussion you’d like to have with other readers, by popular demand. Here are the rules for the weekend posts. Book recommendation of the week: Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow , by Gabrielle Zevin.

94

94

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AUGUST 5, 2022

This post, open thread – August 5-6, 2022 , was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager. It’s the Friday open thread! The comment section on this post is open for discussion with other readers on any work-related questions that you want to talk about (that includes school). If you want an answer from me, emailing me is still your best bet*, but this is a chance to take your questions to other readers. * If you submitted a question to me recently, please do not repost it here,

66

66

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AUGUST 5, 2022

This post, it’s your Friday good news … with updates , was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager. It’s your Friday good news — but this week it’s a little different. Here are four updates from people who shared good news here in the past. 1. The person with the new teaching job (#5 at the link). “I LOVE my job and could not be happier.

Training 94

Training Compliance Training Hiring Conference 94

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MAY 9, 2022

This post, my male coworkers are insisting on taking “period leave” , was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager. A reader writes: I’m a manager in an overseas office of an American company. About two-thirds of our employees were hired locally, with the remainder (mostly managers) having relocated from the United States.

Hiring Software 123

Hiring Software HR Software Planning Tools Employment Law 123

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MAY 9, 2022

This post, a parent called me to ask about their adult kid’s work travel , was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager. A reader writes: I just had a very strange phone call. An employee’s father emailed me, asking me to call him. Since the employee (who I’ll call George) is currently out of the country on business, I was worried that something had happened to him, so I called back right away.

ATS 137

ATS 137

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MAY 4, 2022

This post, team sleepover, firing abusive clients, and more , was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager. It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go…. 1. My team is having a weekend sleepover at a coworker’s house. I just started a new job last month and joined a small team at a big international company. Our team is just 10 people and very tight-knit.

Compliance Training 106

Compliance Training Meeting Discrimination Groups 106

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MAY 4, 2022

This post, my rock star employee needs time off for health … and her coworkers are complaining , was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager. A reader writes: I directly manage a team of eight entry-level job employees, who are part of a 175-employee company. My eight employees are the only ones who truly work with every single other employee we have — the rest are separated by departments and don’t mix with other departments very often.

Policies 94

Policies Immedis Wellness Course 94

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MAY 4, 2022

This post, should I hire family members for my new business? , was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager. A reader writes: I run a popular website and have decided to expand my business by getting office space and taking on two employees. I have never managed anyone in my career, so I know this is going to be a challenge. I am looking to hire someone in a digital marketing role, full-time, and an administrator for two hours per day.

Hiring 85

Hiring Meeting How To ATS 85

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MAY 4, 2022

This post, can I push back on my company’s Mother’s Day activities? , was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager. A reader writes: I’m a woman who, like many, has experienced infertility and pregnancy loss. It’s made me sensitive to things like work baby showers, certain family-centric holidays, and pregnancy announcements in general.

Discrimination 114

Discrimination Conference Trends Wellness 114

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MAY 3, 2022

This post, I’m on a “positivity” committee, job applicants whose voicemail doesn’t work, and more , was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager. It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go…. 1. I want to be a force for good on our “positive culture” committee. My large department inside a very large corporation recently went through a fairly chaotic reorganization.

Hiring Software 105

Hiring Software Interview Software Planning Tools Comparison 105

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MAY 3, 2022

This post, jobs that require a time-consuming exercise before you can even apply , was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager. A reader writes: What are your thoughts on tests that are required as part of a job application? I work in marketing/content creation and even though I have a portfolio of samples of my writing work, I have no qualms about generating new material if an employer is truly considering me for a job.

Exercises 82

Exercises Screening Hiring Data 82

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FEBRUARY 7, 2022

This post, boss might be lying about being vaccinated, a terrible resume typo, and more , was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager. It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go…. 1. Our boss might be lying about being vaccinated. My office has been basically open throughout the entire pandemic. It’s not totally critical for us to be in the office, but it is very helpful and we’ve all decided that we think it’s safe because we trust our colleagues to make saf

Hiring Software 101

Hiring Software Interview Software Planning Tools HR Software 101

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FEBRUARY 7, 2022

This post, my lovely but bumbling boss is driving me crazy , was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager. A reader writes: I’ve worked for a small educational institution for two years. The job is an excellent fit for me, and I don’t consider moving on. The person I report to is the head teacher, who has worked here for 20 years. She is a gifted teacher and is justifiably loved by her pupils and their parents.

Retirement 82

Retirement Meeting Compliance Training Report 82

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FEBRUARY 7, 2022

This post, my employee spends too much time justifying everything she says , was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager. A reader writes: I recently hired a new employee who has some personality traits that are affecting the work environment and other staff. It’s hard to identify the exact problem but I think I think it can be summed up in two ways: she doesn’t know how to end a conversation and she feels the need to justify her actions in every situation.

Examples 84

Examples Hiring How To ATS 84

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FEBRUARY 7, 2022

This post, how to tell an employee he needs to figure some things out himself , was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager. A reader writes: I have a new colleague, “Carl,” who is also new to the industry (and to the working world in general). I have worked in this industry for years, and in this role for three years. Carl’s role is new to my organization and is framed as junior to my role in some respects.

How To 102

How To Industry Coaching Compliance Training 102

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FEBRUARY 3, 2022

This post, new hire with a criminal record, backing out of a job offer, and more , was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager. It’s four answers to four questions. Here we go…. 1. Should I tell my boss about our new hire’s criminal record? A couple months ago my company posted an administrative support position and last week we made an offer.

Hiring Software 98

Hiring Software Background screening Hiring Interview Software 98

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FEBRUARY 2, 2022

This post, we have to assess our spiritual strengths, a nail-clipping coworker, and more , was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager. It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go…. 1. My company asked us to take a religiously-themed strengths assessment. My work asked us to take a strengths assessment ahead of a retreat. The test asks you to rate statements on how much they describe you.

Hiring 88

Hiring Company ATS Wellness 88

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NOVEMBER 5, 2021

This post, it’s your Friday good news , was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager. It’s your Friday good news! 1. “I’ve been following your blog on and off for years for the wacky workplace stories, but my most recent job search has really shown where your site shines: not just resume, cover letter, and interview advice but a commitment to high standards.

Screening 91

Screening Wellness Recruitment Company 91

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NOVEMBER 4, 2021

This post, coworker asks for “confidential” help, charity wants us to volunteer for a for-profit company, and more , was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager. It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go…. 1. Coworker asks me for help “confidentially” I have a coworker who asks for help with certain processes, which is normal enough in our work, and I’m happy to help.

Hiring Software 93

Hiring Software Company Interview Software Onboarding Software 93

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NOVEMBER 2, 2021

This post, employee got pulled over during a Zoom call, are firm offers a mistake, and more , was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager. It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go…. 1. My trainee got pulled over during a Zoom meeting. I train new employees and one of my trainees was just pulled over during a Zoom meeting. Before that, I could tell she was away from her desk, which is fine as we are all permanently WFH, but I didn’t realize she was driving (video was of

Video Recruiting 110

Video Recruiting Policies Compensation Training 110