A reader writes: I previously have asked you a question about whether my girlfriend's CEO was overstepping (#2 at the link). You very kindly answered my

Ask a Manager Blog

21.11.2024

employer hired a sex offender, being called a "mom" professionally, and more — Ask a Manager

It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Our agency flexed its own policy to hire a sex offender I work for a government agency and a new hire

Ask a Manager Blog

21.11.2024

is my employee taking advantage of the flexibility I give her? — Ask a Manager

A reader asks: I'm a manager of two employees, both of whom are salaried, not hourly. One of them -- who's younger, less experienced, more eager -- rarely

Ask a Manager Blog

21.11.2024

my coworker's constant interruptions make us all dread team calls — Ask a Manager

A reader writes: Our team of seven has been working from home since the beginning of Covid. To keep up-to-date on projects, we have two weekly calls with

Ask a Manager Blog

20.11.2024

job application is fixated on high school academic performance — Ask a Manager

A reader writes: What do you make of employers asking job applicants about their high school performance? Besides the fact that I barely remember SAT or

Ask a Manager Blog

20.11.2024

last year's Christmas party was a disaster, what does "parking is provided" really mean, and more — Ask a Manager

It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Do I have to go to more company social events when last year's Christmas party went badly? Last year,

Ask a Manager Blog

20.11.2024

I'm frustrated that my coworkers with kids work less than me, but I don't want to cut back — Ask a Manager

A reader writes: I'm 25 and working in a passion career. I love it! I'm not burned out, and I don't want to work less. My manager gives us all flexibility

Ask a Manager Blog

20.11.2024

I saw colleagues' private messages mocking my weight — Ask a Manager

A reader writes: I recently hosted a Zoom call for my work team. At the end of the call, I was sent the transcript for the meeting’s group chat, as it

Ask a Manager Blog

19.11.2024

boss wants to dumb down my writing, telling a job-hunting relative he stinks, and more — Ask a Manager

It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My manager wants to dumb down my writing After a long stint in academia, I took a position with a

Ask a Manager Blog

19.11.2024

a federal judge has blocked the new overtime rule — Ask a Manager

A federal judge in Texas has blocked a new rule that would have expanded access to overtime pay to millions more salaried workers. And not only that --

Ask a Manager Blog

19.11.2024

my team member won't stop talking about their Keto diet — Ask a Manager

A reader writes: I manage an employee, Casey, who has developed a passion for a Keto, fasting, and all things carnivore lifestyle. It is great that they

Ask a Manager Blog

19.11.2024

the Rolodex hoarder, the used tea bags, and other stories of territorial behavior at work — Ask a Manager

Last week we discussed territorial behavior at work and here are 12 of my favorite stories you shared. 1. The Rolodex I worked with a manager that kept

Ask a Manager Blog

18.11.2024

my job made me a shocking counteroffer, how to meet people at a new job, and more — Ask a Manager

It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My job made me a shocking counteroffer I just had a bizarre experience. I'm an IT analyst at a global

Ask a Manager Blog

16.11.2024

weekend open thread - November 16-17, 2024 — 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

Ask a Manager Blog

16.11.2024

open thread - November 15, 2024 — 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

Ask a Manager Blog

15.11.2024

is it better to quit without another job or be fired? — Ask a Manager

A reader writes: Which would make it harder to get another job — quitting without another job or getting fired? If you have a job where requirements have

Ask a Manager Blog

15.11.2024

rolling my eyes while giving feedback, company is forcing me to see their doctor to get prescription coverage, and more — Ask a Manager

It’s four answers to four questions. Here we go… 1. Should I avoid rolling my eyes while giving feedback to a coworker? My workplace rarely fires people

Ask a Manager Blog

15.11.2024

updates: reading in the car on work trips, employer wants my book money, and more — Ask a Manager

Here are three updates from past letter-writers. 1. Is it rude to read in the car on work trips? I have a happy update. I have been using your "I’m having

Ask a Manager Blog

15.11.2024

let's discuss territory-marking at work — Ask a Manager

Let's talk about territory-marking behavior at work: people with a high need to make sure you know they they own this work area or this desk or this

Ask a Manager Blog

14.11.2024

job candidate says she would need to work for us secretly — Ask a Manager

A reader writes: We interviewed a candidate for a part-time position who had been out of our line of work for 10 years. I interviewed her because she had

Ask a Manager Blog

14.11.2024

can you be fired for making a pass at your boss's spouse, volunteer dropped the ball, and more — Ask a Manager

It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Can you be fired for making a pass at your boss's spouse? I am a longtime watcher of the CBS soap The

Ask a Manager Blog

14.11.2024

our new boss is ruining the organization and is upset that I'm pushing back — Ask a Manager

A reader writes: I really need an outside perspective on somethings happening at my work. I am the assistant director at a small organization where there

Ask a Manager Blog

14.11.2024

our ex-CEO's son can't do his job and is overpaid — Ask a Manager

A reader writes: I took over a new job about eight months ago, and knowingly inherited an abundance of issues, ranging from minor (previous CEO of 20

Ask a Manager Blog

13.11.2024

this is how to write a good cover letter — Ask a Manager

Over the course of my career, I’ve read probably tens of thousands of cover letters. (And yes, that’s as boring as it sounds.) What I’ve learned from

Ask a Manager Blog

13.11.2024

manager dislikes his new employee, firing an employee who went viral for attacking football fans, and more — Ask a Manager

It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. I manage a manager who dislikes his new, qualified employee I run a small nonprofit. I'm less than six

Ask a Manager Blog

13.11.2024

my boss treated me like her therapist ... and it blew up — Ask a Manager

Warning: contains mentions of a suicide threat. A reader writes: I had an insane boss situation a few years ago that still lives rent free in my head and

Ask a Manager Blog

13.11.2024

a team whose boss was AWOL for 2 years is angry and resentful now — Ask a Manager

A reader writes: My department had a manager, Beth, who spiraled into a drug addiction crisis post-Covid. The details of how that happened and how long it

Ask a Manager Blog

12.11.2024

Ask a Manager in the media — Ask a Manager

Here’s some coverage of Ask a Manager in the media recently: I talked to Vanity Fair about how human you should be in your out-of-office message.

Ask a Manager Blog

12.11.2024

when can I ask a potential employer about working remotely? — Ask a Manager

A reader writes: I currently have a job that is hybrid/remote, with emphasis on remote. I go into the office when needed, but that may be once every

Ask a Manager Blog

12.11.2024

my brother is my business partner and he keeps going MIA — Ask a Manager

A reader writes: I wrote you way back in 2021 when I was trying to decide whether or not to stay in the family business, and in 2024 I sent you my update.

Ask a Manager Blog

12.11.2024

asking to change desks because you don’t like someone, are typos in a draft a huge deal, and more — Ask a Manager

It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Is it unprofessional to ask to change desks because you don’t like someone? Two years ago I started a

Ask a Manager Blog

11.11.2024

coworker derails meetings, employer wanted a weekend interview, and more — Ask a Manager

It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My coworker constantly derails meetings I have a coworker, Mary, who does not know how to stay on

Ask a Manager Blog

09.11.2024

open thread - November 8, 2024 — 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

Ask a Manager Blog

09.11.2024

weekend open thread - November 9-10, 2024 — 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

Ask a Manager Blog

08.11.2024

my intern keeps pushing for a full-time role — Ask a Manager

A reader writes: I recently took on my first intern. I let them know from the get-go that I didn’t know if it could evolve into permanent work given the

Ask a Manager Blog

08.11.2024

telling an employee his pants are too revealing, unannounced video calls, and more — Ask a Manager

It’s four answers to four questions. Here we go… 1. How to tell an employee his pants are too revealing I need some guidance! We have a new high school

Ask a Manager Blog

08.11.2024

was it reasonable to fire a new hire who was too overwhelmed to work on day 3? — Ask a Manager

A reader writes: The clinic I work for filled a medical receptionist position. The new hire had worked as a receptionist for other offices for over 18

Ask a Manager Blog

08.11.2024

when office potlucks and catered parties go wrong — Ask a Manager

As we approach to the season of office potlucks, catered parties, and other holiday meals with coworkers, let's discuss the many ways in which they can go

Ask a Manager Blog

07.11.2024

my Gen X coworker is trying to "grandma" the Zoomers and it's getting weird — Ask a Manager

A reader writes: I am writing about a new coworker who has no concept of boundaries. "Hannah" is in her mid-40's and is pretty advanced in her career (in

Ask a Manager Blog

07.11.2024

how do I manage petty behavior between two employees who dislike each other? — Ask a Manager

A reader writes: Where is the line between what is and is not acceptable when talking about pettiness between coworkers? I'm dealing with two employees on

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Ask a Manager Blog - Career

is my girlfriend's CEO hitting on her? — Ask a Manager

employer hired a sex offender, being called a "mom" professionally, and more — Ask a Manager

is my employee taking advantage of the flexibility I give her? — Ask a Manager

my coworker's constant interruptions make us all dread team calls — Ask a Manager

job application is fixated on high school academic performance — Ask a Manager

last year's Christmas party was a disaster, what does "parking is provided" really mean, and more — Ask a Manager

I'm frustrated that my coworkers with kids work less than me, but I don't want to cut back — Ask a Manager

I saw colleagues' private messages mocking my weight — Ask a Manager

boss wants to dumb down my writing, telling a job-hunting relative he stinks, and more — Ask a Manager

a federal judge has blocked the new overtime rule — Ask a Manager

my team member won't stop talking about their Keto diet — Ask a Manager

the Rolodex hoarder, the used tea bags, and other stories of territorial behavior at work — Ask a Manager

my job made me a shocking counteroffer, how to meet people at a new job, and more — Ask a Manager

weekend open thread - November 16-17, 2024 — Ask a Manager

open thread - November 15, 2024 — Ask a Manager

is it better to quit without another job or be fired? — Ask a Manager

rolling my eyes while giving feedback, company is forcing me to see their doctor to get prescription coverage, and more — Ask a Manager

updates: reading in the car on work trips, employer wants my book money, and more — Ask a Manager

let's discuss territory-marking at work — Ask a Manager

job candidate says she would need to work for us secretly — Ask a Manager

can you be fired for making a pass at your boss's spouse, volunteer dropped the ball, and more — Ask a Manager

our new boss is ruining the organization and is upset that I'm pushing back — Ask a Manager

our ex-CEO's son can't do his job and is overpaid — Ask a Manager

this is how to write a good cover letter — Ask a Manager

manager dislikes his new employee, firing an employee who went viral for attacking football fans, and more — Ask a Manager

my boss treated me like her therapist ... and it blew up — Ask a Manager

a team whose boss was AWOL for 2 years is angry and resentful now — Ask a Manager

Ask a Manager in the media — Ask a Manager

when can I ask a potential employer about working remotely? — Ask a Manager

my brother is my business partner and he keeps going MIA — Ask a Manager

asking to change desks because you don’t like someone, are typos in a draft a huge deal, and more — Ask a Manager

coworker derails meetings, employer wanted a weekend interview, and more — Ask a Manager

open thread - November 8, 2024 — Ask a Manager

weekend open thread - November 9-10, 2024 — Ask a Manager

my intern keeps pushing for a full-time role — Ask a Manager

telling an employee his pants are too revealing, unannounced video calls, and more — Ask a Manager

was it reasonable to fire a new hire who was too overwhelmed to work on day 3? — Ask a Manager

when office potlucks and catered parties go wrong — Ask a Manager

my Gen X coworker is trying to "grandma" the Zoomers and it's getting weird — Ask a Manager

how do I manage petty behavior between two employees who dislike each other? — Ask a Manager

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