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APRIL 6, 2023

This post was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. It’s four answers to four questions. Here we go… 1. My employee tears down other people’s work to make themselves look better I’ve been having difficulty coaching one of my employees. This is their first office job and they are having difficulty understanding appropriate conduct in this environment.

Video Recruiting 118

Video Recruiting Background screening Hiring Coaching 118

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APRIL 6, 2023

This post was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. A reader writes: I have a bachelor’s degree relevant to my field and seven years of work experience, about six years of which is in the same job function that I have now. I’m 29 and in my third job out of college. I am in an entry level marketing job (as I also was before) and I am unsure of how, and when I should expect to, move forward in my career.

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Hiring Screening Trends Company 143

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APRIL 6, 2023

This post was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: I have a question I’m hoping you can ask your readers. The tech industry is going through massive layoffs right now and it’s a pretty stressful time for those of us who are 35 and under, who didn’t go through the Dot-Com Bubble or were still in school during the Great Recession.

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How To Immedis Industry 105

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APRIL 5, 2023

This post was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. Remember the letter-writer whose mentor accused someone of sexism on her behalf and without her knowledge ? Here’s the update. (Note: To follow the timeline, it helps to know the original letter was received in early February and not printed until March.) I want to thank you again for responding to my question!

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Report Course Compliance Training Coaching 135

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APRIL 5, 2023

This post was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. A reader writes: I work in a small office without a typical HR rep. “Mike,” our manager, oversees our company and unfortunately takes a head-in-the-sand approach to anything office drama related. Our concern is with our office manager, “Michelle,” who has been with our company for 15 years.

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HR Software Planning Tools Groups Immedis 116

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MARCH 28, 2023

This post was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. Recently we talked about workplaces holding egregiously clueless “celebrations” for various awareness days/months. Not surprisingly, a ton of the stories shared were about sexism. Here are eight stories of companies getting sexism awareness events remarkably wrong. (Note: some of the stories shared were so offensive that it’s hard to laugh at them, so these aren’t even the worst of the worst.) 1.

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Company Screening Groups Resources 111

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MARCH 28, 2023

This post was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. I’m off today, so here’s an older post from the archives. This was originally published in 2017. A reader writes: So I bit a coworker yesterday. Obviously, I’m mortified. I work in an incredibly dysfunctional office. The tone is set by our office manager. He’s in his fifties, has always worked in an office setting, and is difficult.

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Meeting Examples ATS Wellness 136

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MARCH 27, 2023

This post was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. I’m off today. Here are some past letters that I’m making new again, rather than leaving them to wilt in the archives. 1. My boss and her daughter want to move in with me I’m working for the summer as a seasonal employee in a management position at an arts festival in a rural community.

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ATS HR Planning Retirement Meeting 123

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MARCH 23, 2023

This post was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. It’s four answers to four questions. Here we go… 1. HR doesn’t want me to fire an employee for lying and falsifying records I manage a small team, and one of my employees has been having performance issues. Recently, they made a series of mistakes that resulted in a patron receiving a charge four times more than what was expected.

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Retirement Meeting Comparison Hiring 103

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MARCH 23, 2023

This post was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. Here are three updates from past letter-writers. 1. My new boss scolded us about our private chat messages First off, thank you so much for answering my letter. I sincerely appreciated your nuanced take on the situation, and it was so interesting to read through the debate in the comments over expectations of monitoring chat messages on company platforms.

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Planning Tools Background screening Discrimination Policies 102

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MARCH 8, 2023

This post was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. A reader writes: I’m a recent graduate who’s been job hunting for the past few months. I live with my parents and recently, I’ve discovered my father has been applying for jobs pretending to be me. On top of that, he’s gone out of his way to personally email CEO’s from various companies and design agencies asking to be hired.

Examples 114

Examples Industry Coaching Company 114

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MARCH 22, 2023

This post was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Coworker keeps saying I’m too muscular I am currently working in an allied health field as a practitioner in a private practice, and am (mostly) very happy with my job and my career. I am also an avid gym-goer, which has led to this problem.

Interview Software 111

Interview Software Hiring Software Assessment Software HR Software 111

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MARCH 5, 2023

This post, boss wants us to “disagree” over LGBTQ inclusion, professional styles for men with long hair, and more , was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Boss wants us to “disagree” over LGBTQ inclusion My big boss is currently obsessed with having “disagreements” despite being very hard to disagree with.

Interview Software 106

Interview Software Time and Attendance Groups Planning Tools 106

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MARCH 1, 2023

This post, update: a DNA test revealed the CEO is my half brother … and he’s freaking out , was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. Remember the letter-writer who learned through a DNA test that the company CEO was their half brother … and the CEO was freaking out? Here’s the update. My short update is that he 100% tried to fire me.

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Compliance Training Training Company Meeting 110

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FEBRUARY 28, 2023

This post, my company is cutting my overworked team’s pay as punishment for mistakes , was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. A reader writes: My team has been struggling with workload the last few months, and mistakes have been made by nearly everyone. We were notified by leadership that everyone would receive a temporary (two-month) pay cut because of our performance.

Company 116

Company Wellness ATS 116

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FEBRUARY 28, 2023

This post, I resent our new hires for setting better work-life boundaries than our company normally has , was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. A reader writes: I am part of a team in a high-pressure industry at a company known for demanding a lot but paying very well in exchange for availability, etc. We purport to provide near-constant availability to our clients, but it’s unclear whether this near-constant availability expectation extends to individual employees fo

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Hiring Software Hiring Company Staffing Software 120

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FEBRUARY 27, 2023

This post, here’s an example of a great cover letter … with before and after versions , was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. A reader recently sent me an example of a great cover letter that I want to share — and it even comes with a before version too, so you can see exactly how she improved it. First, though, here are the caveats I’ve learned to give when sharing these: The writer has allowed me to share this as a favor to me and to readers.

Examples 108

Examples Hiring Software Interview Software Analysis 108

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FEBRUARY 23, 2023

This post, assistant became abusive when she wasn’t invited to a meeting, my coworkers don’t check on people who are out sick, and more , was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. It’s four answers to four questions. Here we go… 1. Our assistant turned abusive when she wasn’t invited to a meeting I work in a small office (five owners/managers, including me, and three assistants).

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Meeting Wage and Hour Training Time and Attendance Compliance Training 112

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FEBRUARY 23, 2023

This post, my former boss won’t leave me alone , was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. A reader writes: I currently have a full-time job as a manager in an industry that is a very small world. I’ve worked here for three years, and I love it. My question concerns a boss I had at the previous company where I worked, Bob. He wants to stay in touch.

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Conference Industry Immedis Company 109

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FEBRUARY 22, 2023

This post, as a manager, should I not wear a “childless” shirt in my off-hours? , was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. A reader writes: This is a low-stakes question and one that’s more philosophical than imminent, but I’ve been curious about your take on it for a couple weeks now and decided to write in. A women-focused satire site has been advertising me a pullover sweatshirt that says CHILDLESS in big letters across the front.

Competencies 119

Competencies Report Wellness Meeting 119

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FEBRUARY 22, 2023

This post, I supervise a manager who falsified an employee write-up … but I don’t think she should be fired , was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. A reader writes: My manager recently overruled me on a firing decision and it is not sitting right with me. I’m a division manager. I manage all the teams within my division.

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Coaching Hiring Immedis Policies 120

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FEBRUARY 21, 2023

This post, my boyfriend’s manager told me I could date someone better , was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. A reader writes: My boyfriend, “Joe,” and I work in different divisions for the same company and for the last two years it’s been wonderful. That is … until two days ago when I was blindsided by my boyfriend’s new supervisor.

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Immedis Company Report Productivity 111

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FEBRUARY 19, 2023

This post, future manager is a bigoted jerk, boss hasn’t paid me back, and more , was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Is my future manager a bigoted jerk? I currently work in a team of about 20 people. We have a director who oversees three managers, each of whom oversees a group of employees.

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Meeting Groups Report Compliance Training 104

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FEBRUARY 16, 2023

This post, is your field accurately portrayed in movies and on TV? , was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. Let’s talk about how your field is represented — or more likely, misrepresented — on TV and movies or books. Are you a lawyer who’s horrified by legal dramas? A nurse who can’t stand to watch ER?

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Hiring Company ATS 106

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FEBRUARY 15, 2023

This post, micromanaging goodbye emails, overhead lighting wars, 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 company wants to micromanage internal goodbye emails Since we’ve had new leadership come into my small nonprofit organization, one of many new policies implemented by Head Boss is a requirement that any staff leaving the company must have their “all-staff goodbye” message reviewed and approved by

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Hiring Software HR Software Policies Report 107

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FEBRUARY 15, 2023

This post, my employees tell me what they’re doing, rather than asking permission , was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. A reader writes: I am a fairly new manager for a small team of creatives. I have noticed that when my team has a request, they have almost all have a habit of making it a statement rather than a question.

Examples 109

Examples ATS 109

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FEBRUARY 8, 2023

This post, HR won’t do anything about a coworker who’s angry about my weight loss , was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. A reader writes: I just came back to work after a month-long emergency medical leave. The tl:dr is that after a decade of medical gaslighting, a new doctor ordered an emergency MRI during a routine visit and discovered a mass in my abdomen.

Discrimination 173

Discrimination Coaching Company Report 173

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FEBRUARY 6, 2023

This post, how do I reply to my coworker’s apology without saying her constant mistakes are OK, coworker calls me “mama,” 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 keeps causing more work for me, then apologizing — and I don’t want to tell her it’s OK I’m in a weird situation right now.

Hiring Software 109

Hiring Software Interview Software ADP Handbook 109

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FEBRUARY 6, 2023

This post, a very good update: how to tell a former employee he can’t visit us weekly , was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. Remember the letter-writer asking how to tell a former employee he couldn’t visit their office weekly (#3 at the link)? The update is one of my favorites ever (and I probably should have saved it for Valentine’s Day but you are getting it now because I love it too much to wait): I have an update to a question you posted a few months ago a

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How To Retirement ATS 123

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FEBRUARY 1, 2023

This post, my company won’t promote people who work from home , was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. A reader writes: Before the pandemic, my company did not have the option to work remotely. When the pandemic hit, they were legally required to close our office because we are not essential workers. We were fully remote for a while and no one was allowed to go to the office for any reason.

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Company Recruiting Software HR Software Recruitment 106

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JANUARY 31, 2023

This post, should I stop using my office’s flex hours since my coworkers have earlier schedules? , was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. A reader writes: My organization has a very generous flexible time policy. Our office’s “core hours” are 10 am – 3 pm, and all employees must be working during this time.

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Policies Course System Meeting 113

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JANUARY 25, 2023

This post, sharing a hotel room with a coworker when I snore, should I lie about how many cats I have, and more , was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. I’m sharing a hotel room with a coworker but I snore I started a new job a week ago, working remotely. A week from now, everyone in my organization is attending the big annual conference in our state for our industry.

Hiring Software 115

Hiring Software Time and Attendance Planning Tools Meeting 115

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JANUARY 25, 2023

This post, my last company was horrible — how do I save other people from it? , was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. A reader writes: I recently started a new job and escaped my previous job. The previous job was for a CEO who fancies himself a LinkedIn influencer and life coach. His actual business is a for-profit tech company.

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Company Coaching Hiring Meeting 106

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JANUARY 24, 2023

This post, I resent my employee for being richer and more qualified than me , was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. A reader writes: I am a first-time manager of a bakery in a small city that has gone through a lot of changes through the pandemic. Our housing and cost-of-living was so cheap that remote workers moved here and now people originally from here can’t buy a house — including me.

Hiring 106

Hiring Examples ATS Wellness 106

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JANUARY 18, 2023

This post, my ex-boss threatened to contact my husband, his coworkers, and my father-in-law if I don’t return $48 of office supplies , was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. A reader writes: I received an email today from my prior boss (I left in November) requiring that I return equipment. However, there was no loaned equipment or return equipment clause that even existed for me to sign.

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HR Software Immedis Course Company 115

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JANUARY 17, 2023

This post, I’m being used as free doggy daycare, interviewer refused to give me his last name, and more , was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go…. 1. I’m being used as free doggy daycare. I feel I may be being used as free doggy daycare. I like dogs, and don’t mind walking an office dog occasionally.

Interview Software 106

Interview Software Hiring Software Background screening Recruiting Software 106

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JANUARY 17, 2023

This post, the poodle in a stroller, the music file, and other email signatures gone wild , was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. Last week I asked about the funniest/weirdest/most inappropriate email signatures you’ve seen. Here are some of the highlights you shared. 1. The nice day. I know a woman who is known for being kind of blunt/curt in her emails.

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Time and Attendance Talent Experience 10KC Retirement 118