A reader writes: I'm having an issue with a coworker who I find deeply irritating and, frankly, am embarrassed to be professionally associated with. I

Ask a Manager Blog

30.10.2024

coworker asked to borrow money, changing into pajamas as soon as you get home, and more — Ask a Manager

It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Should managers have to train professionals on basic computer skills? We have an ongoing debate in my

Ask a Manager Blog

30.10.2024

is it OK to ask my team to do working lunches? — Ask a Manager

A reader writes: I have a question about working lunches. I manage a small team, and I recently held a brainstorming session for some professional

Ask a Manager Blog

30.10.2024

can I ask why my coworker was fired? — Ask a Manager

A reader writes: I have always thought of my job as a place where people didn't get fired unless they were obviously and consistently bad at their jobs. I

Ask a Manager Blog

29.10.2024

can I opt out of AI assistants in meetings, potlucks with food-restricted coworkers, and more — Ask a Manager

It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Can I opt out of AI assistants in meetings? In large Zoom meetings, I've noticed a coworker using an

Ask a Manager Blog

29.10.2024

I panicked and told my boss I miscarried when I actually didn't — Ask a Manager

A reader writes: I recently wet myself at work. I was actually in the bathroom at the time and it was right at the end of lunch. I was in a state such

Ask a Manager Blog

29.10.2024

the star guest got drunk at an event I was hosting — Ask a Manager

A reader writes: I’m in a position where I do some industry event hosting and public interviewing. I don’t arrange any of the events, I’m just a

Ask a Manager Blog

29.10.2024

Halloween at work can be a fright show — Ask a Manager

Pity your beleaguered colleagues in HR this week, because Halloween in offices can be frightening in all the wrong ways. You’d think workplace Halloween

Ask a Manager Blog

28.10.2024

giving notice when boss is an abusive jerk, vendors keep sending unhealthy food, and more — Ask a Manager

It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Do I have to give notice when my boss is an abusive jerk? I have worked at my current job over three

Ask a Manager Blog

26.10.2024

weekend open thread - October 26-27, 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

26.10.2024

open thread - October 25, 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

25.10.2024

update: my new employee ran a background check on me and asked me about what he found — Ask a Manager

Remember the letter-writer whose new employee ran a background check on them and asked them about what he found? Here’s the update. Imagine my surprise

Ask a Manager Blog

25.10.2024

how do people handle highly visible workspaces? — Ask a Manager

A reader writes: This is a low-stakes question, but I'm curious if anyone else is bothered by open-office floor plans (or otherwise very visible work

Ask a Manager Blog

25.10.2024

succeeding at work if you're neurodivergent — Ask a Manager

It's the Thursday "ask the readers" question. A reader writes: I have ADHD and learning disabilities. I suspect I have autism too. I just got into a new

Ask a Manager Blog

25.10.2024

aggravating coworker, boss wanted me to share my LinkedIn login, and more — Ask a Manager

It’s four answers to four questions. Here we go… 1. How do I stop being so aggravated by a coworker? I have a coworker who is a kind person with a lot of

Ask a Manager Blog

24.10.2024

where are you now? (a call for updates) — Ask a Manager

At the end of each year, I publish a slew of “where are they now” updates from people whose questions I answered here in the past. In past years we've had

Ask a Manager Blog

24.10.2024

employer wants to see my family tree, coworker hawks up snot in the kitchen every day, and more — Ask a Manager

It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Should my employee provide any explanation for her repeated last-minute time off? One of my employees,

Ask a Manager Blog

24.10.2024

new manager's team hates her -- but she says they're the problem — Ask a Manager

A reader writes: About a year and a half ago, I hired a person (Catelyn) with more than seven years of management experience to manage a long-standing

Ask a Manager Blog

24.10.2024

my boss keeps warning me she'll get in trouble if I commit fraud (I'm not) — Ask a Manager

A reader writes: I started a part-time voluntary position a couple of months ago. There are reporting lines, annual appraisals, etc. just the same as a

Ask a Manager Blog

23.10.2024

my boss said I looked “unprofessional” when I wore a binder to work — Ask a Manager

A reader writes: I have a question about a point that is now, thankfully, moot. My previous manager, Rufus, wasn’t an especially ethical individual and

Ask a Manager Blog

23.10.2024

how can I get out of group photos at work, interviewer asked what I’d do if I won $1 million, and more — Ask a Manager

It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. How can I get out of group photos at work? I work in a department where the staff work remotely most

Ask a Manager Blog

23.10.2024

the bread bag files, the dead language, and other broken but sacred systems — Ask a Manager

Last week, we talked about broken systems that for some reason become sacred and cannot be changed. Here are some of my favorite stories you shared. 1.

Ask a Manager Blog

23.10.2024

my employee takes credit for the whole team's work — Ask a Manager

A reader writes: I'm a fairly experienced manager, but I've only been managing my current team for a few months. I've been in a couple meetings with one

Ask a Manager Blog

22.10.2024

is it weird to send work emails late at night? — Ask a Manager

A reader writes: Last night around 11 pm, my husband suddenly remembered that he had forgotten to email someone back about a meeting request, and was

Ask a Manager Blog

22.10.2024

my coworker escalates EVERYTHING until she gets her way — Ask a Manager

A reader writes: I work for a small company (less than 50 people) and Jane has been with us for about four years. She came with a lot of fanfare because

Ask a Manager Blog

22.10.2024

argumentative coworker always says, "repeat back to me the point I just made" — Ask a Manager

A reader writes: I am a middle manager who works with an employee I’ll call “John.” John does not report to me, but there are scenarios in which I

Ask a Manager Blog

22.10.2024

staff member says I'm triggering their unresolved trauma, employee calls me his “lady boss," and more — Ask a Manager

It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My employee says I'm triggering their unresolved trauma I have a question as to how to manage a direct

Ask a Manager Blog

21.10.2024

colleague wants help raising money for a bad idea, CEO doesn't want anonymous questions, and more — Ask a Manager

It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Church member at my job wants help raising money for a bad idea I work for a small church, of which I

Ask a Manager Blog

19.10.2024

open thread - October 18, 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

19.10.2024

weekend open thread - October 19-20, 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

18.10.2024

how can I reject former coworkers applying for jobs with me? — Ask a Manager

A reader writes: Several past coworkers have reached out to me on LinkedIn asking about a job posting at my company. The only thing is ... they don't know

Ask a Manager Blog

18.10.2024

is it OK for job postings to require a "clean-cut appearance"? — Ask a Manager

A reader writes: There is a small family-owned butcher shop near me. They list job postings on their Facebook page, and I've noticed every time they post

Ask a Manager Blog

18.10.2024

coworker won’t answer any questions from my boss, "hey girl," and more — Ask a Manager

It’s four answers to four questions. Here we go… 1. My coworker won’t answer my boss's questions I work for a very small department within a bigger group.

Ask a Manager Blog

18.10.2024

when terrible work systems become sacred — Ask a Manager

I once worked for an organization where, years before, an IT person had created a database in an obscure coding language. He was long gone and no one knew

Ask a Manager Blog

17.10.2024

our in-office employees are upset that they have to use more sick days than our remote workers — Ask a Manager

A reader writes: I’m the staff liaison to the board for updating the HR policies at a nonprofit where we’re transitioning to independence from our fiscal

Ask a Manager Blog

17.10.2024

my coworker does extreme sports when she’s out sick, asking to skip a performance review, and more — Ask a Manager

It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My coworker does extreme sports whenever she’s out sick I have a coworker, "Pattie," who has a remote

Ask a Manager Blog

17.10.2024

how to ask for a raise and get it — Ask a Manager

I'm always surprised by how many people tell me they've gone their career without ever asking for a raise. Sometimes they feel awkward starting the

Ask a Manager Blog

17.10.2024

the company I want to work for employs a guy who's abusive to women on dating apps — Ask a Manager

A reader writes: I have a tricky situation involving prior sexual harassment/creepy behavior by a potential future coworker at a job I’m applying for. A

Ask a Manager Blog

17.10.2024

new manager is angry that I'm pregnant — Ask a Manager

A reader writes: I’ve just gone through a long interview process for a job I was referred to a while back. I have not been actively applying for jobs

Ask a Manager Blog

17.10.2024

coworker's wife works remotely from our non-remote office — Ask a Manager

A reader writes: Weird thing just came up at my work that I'd be curious to hear you weigh in on. I work at a university that is 100% in-person,

home›Ask a Manager Blog›Career

Ask a Manager Blog - Career

at what point can I report my inappropriate and inflammatory coworker? — Ask a Manager

coworker asked to borrow money, changing into pajamas as soon as you get home, and more — Ask a Manager

is it OK to ask my team to do working lunches? — Ask a Manager

can I ask why my coworker was fired? — Ask a Manager

can I opt out of AI assistants in meetings, potlucks with food-restricted coworkers, and more — Ask a Manager

I panicked and told my boss I miscarried when I actually didn't — Ask a Manager

the star guest got drunk at an event I was hosting — Ask a Manager

Halloween at work can be a fright show — Ask a Manager

giving notice when boss is an abusive jerk, vendors keep sending unhealthy food, and more — Ask a Manager

weekend open thread - October 26-27, 2024 — Ask a Manager

open thread - October 25, 2024 — Ask a Manager

update: my new employee ran a background check on me and asked me about what he found — Ask a Manager

how do people handle highly visible workspaces? — Ask a Manager

succeeding at work if you're neurodivergent — Ask a Manager

aggravating coworker, boss wanted me to share my LinkedIn login, and more — Ask a Manager

where are you now? (a call for updates) — Ask a Manager

employer wants to see my family tree, coworker hawks up snot in the kitchen every day, and more — Ask a Manager

new manager's team hates her -- but she says they're the problem — Ask a Manager

my boss keeps warning me she'll get in trouble if I commit fraud (I'm not) — Ask a Manager

my boss said I looked “unprofessional” when I wore a binder to work — Ask a Manager

how can I get out of group photos at work, interviewer asked what I’d do if I won $1 million, and more — Ask a Manager

the bread bag files, the dead language, and other broken but sacred systems — Ask a Manager

my employee takes credit for the whole team's work — Ask a Manager

is it weird to send work emails late at night? — Ask a Manager

my coworker escalates EVERYTHING until she gets her way — Ask a Manager

argumentative coworker always says, "repeat back to me the point I just made" — Ask a Manager

staff member says I'm triggering their unresolved trauma, employee calls me his “lady boss," and more — Ask a Manager

colleague wants help raising money for a bad idea, CEO doesn't want anonymous questions, and more — Ask a Manager

open thread - October 18, 2024 — Ask a Manager

weekend open thread - October 19-20, 2024 — Ask a Manager

how can I reject former coworkers applying for jobs with me? — Ask a Manager

is it OK for job postings to require a "clean-cut appearance"? — Ask a Manager

coworker won’t answer any questions from my boss, "hey girl," and more — Ask a Manager

when terrible work systems become sacred — Ask a Manager

our in-office employees are upset that they have to use more sick days than our remote workers — Ask a Manager

my coworker does extreme sports when she’s out sick, asking to skip a performance review, and more — Ask a Manager

how to ask for a raise and get it — Ask a Manager

the company I want to work for employs a guy who's abusive to women on dating apps — Ask a Manager

new manager is angry that I'm pregnant — Ask a Manager

coworker's wife works remotely from our non-remote office — Ask a Manager

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