13
Sat.Jan 30, 2016 - Fri.Feb 05, 2016
Ask a Manager
cold-emailing strangers to ask for career advice
Ask a Manager
FEBRUARY 1, 2016
A reader writes: I’m a recent college graduate currently trying to explore my options on what career I want to pursue. I’d love to talk to people who are actually working in those areas and get a real perspective about what it’s like—and what it would take to get there. Many of the ideas I’m considering would be very small fields, and it’s unlikely that my few contacts at my alma mater would be able to help me. If I can find people online working in those areas, would it be considered rude or strange for me to email them for advice? No, it’s definitely not rude!
new hire confessed she lied about her skills, I’m managing my boss’s spouse, and more
Ask a Manager
FEBRUARY 1, 2016
It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go…. 1. The person I helped hire confessed to me that she lied about her skills. received a full capital sponsorship to start my own business. When I resigned from my job, my boss was very upset, as it is hard to find people with my skill set. suggested to my former boss that they could outsource to me, which they are now doing. One day, my former boss called me up and asked me to sit into an interview with a potential replacement for my position. told him it would be a conflict of interest as I would lose them as a client. Nothing. short answers
my coworker cc’s tons of higher-ups whenever he emails me with a problem
Ask a Manager
FEBRUARY 4, 2016
A reader writes: I’m a software developer and often have to work with a lot of internal clients. Most are great, but there’s one guy I’m not sure how to handle. When something doesn’t work right or I have an issue, my strategy is to deal directly with the person responsible. only loop in my manager, their manager, or both if I can’t resolve the issue directly with the person responsible Most others at the company are like this. feel this makes me look like I’m not helpful, which I am. resolve most issues very quickly. Should I have done “reply all”?
a round-up of good advice for managing people and projects
Ask a Manager
FEBRUARY 4, 2016
I write a bunch of stuff for Intuit QuickBase’s Fast Track blog (which I link to here twice a week). Today I worked with them to create a list of the best Fast Track posts of 2015 — my articles and other people’s too — covering everything from how to tell your team their work isn’t quite good enough to how to get along well with IT to how to set realistic deadlines. You can read it here. round-up of good advice for managing people and projects was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager. good management
Skill based learning – How it drives an organization’s performance
Advertisement
Training and learning organizations today play an active role in contributing to the bottom line of any organization by aligning their objectives to the immediate business objectives. This provides a solid ground for cost justification and encourages businesses to place training groups right where they should be, at the heart of a growing, thriving, learning culture.
 |
I’m being asked to cover for an under-performing coworker
Ask a Manager
FEBRUARY 1, 2016
A reader writes: Recently, a superior in a different unit of my department, to whom I do not report, told me in a confidential email that one of the executive assistants in her unit was having performance issues — “letting things slip,” in her words. In that email, she asked me to make myself available to the faculty member this EA works for as a “backstop,” to complete missed tasks, schedule and follow up with appointments, etc. essentially, to be responsible for following through on work that the EA has not done up to par. My role in the department is different now.
my employer promised me a raise and better title 3 years ago — and it hasn’t happened yet
Ask a Manager
FEBRUARY 3, 2016
A reader writes: I work for a mid-size nonprofit doing fundraising. have been here for 3+ years in a position that was a lateral move from my previous job. When I started, I took the same salary as my previous position because it was work I wanted to do, but was promised a raise and better title when it was available. That was three years ago, and I have not received a raise. Several people have been promoted over me, even though my performance reviews are stellar. It is, however, a lot more work. When I accepted, it seemed doable. Since getting more detail on the project, the scope has grown.
coworker won’t say please and thank you, telling someone’s boss they were speeding, and more
Ask a Manager
FEBRUARY 2, 2016
It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go…. 1. Brusque coworker won’t say please and thank you. I’ve been at my position for about three years now. While my title is similar to department assistant, my actual responsibilities are less administrative and more systems related. I’ve been transitioning to higher level responsibilities, and my boss and I will be having a talk soon about a title change. My coworker has been at her job for about 1.5 years. While she is technically “above” me, we report to different managers and she doesn’t supervise me. years now.
my coworker announced she’ll only check email twice a week
Ask a Manager
FEBRUARY 3, 2016
A reader writes: Today in a meeting, a colleague announced that she only reads and responds to emails twice a week, on her “email days,” and if there were any immediate issues I would have to go down to her office in person to get a response. Our boss was fine with that, clarifying that emails should be answered within a week. Please, please tell me that this is weird and not how business is usually conducted. What can I say to our boss to convince her that this is not a good policy? Sometimes the advice says to check and deal with email once or twice a day. Or she might not.
Leaving performance reviews behind: Where to start [Guide]
Advertisement
Is your company ready to move beyond the annual performance review? Where do you start? What are the keys to success? In this guide, you’ll gain an understanding of: the forces driving change, three foundations of success and take a deep dive into the skills gap many managers have that will sink your efforts before they start and how to address them.
|
5 workplace laws your employer might be violating
Ask a Manager
FEBRUARY 1, 2016
If you tend to assume that your employer understands labor law and always follows it … surprise! You may be wrong. Many employers regularly violate employment law, either knowingly or unknowingly. And there are a few laws that are especially popular to break. At U.S. News & World Report today, I talk about five of the most commonly violated employment laws. You can read it here. workplace laws your employer might be violating was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager. law + order
I bombed a weird interview after no sleep
Ask a Manager
FEBRUARY 2, 2016
A reader writes: Approximately a month ago, I applied for a position and was scheduled for an interview with an organization’s HR manager. I had apparently done well on the pre-employement aptitude tests and interviewed well with her. She was great and two hours passed quickly. Following this interview, I was asked to come in and meet with two other people on the team a week later. received a very polite email from the owner with a list of over 60 questions in an attached document. The email said to pick 10 and he would only ask those questions from the list. My brain could not function!
update: my coworker constantly misses work and I have to do her job for her
Ask a Manager
FEBRUARY 5, 2016
Remember the letter-writer a couple of weeks ago who had to constantly cover for a coworker was missing a lot of work ? Here’s the update. very nervously had a chat with my boss, Jack. To my surprise, he agreed mostly with my assessment of the situation. While he had not been aware of how much strain I felt I was under, he agreed it was not sustainable. We sat and discussed what I could be expected to take on. For the upcoming break, he asked if I could cover three specialized tasks during the two weeks she was away. He assigned all her other work, including doing some tasks himself.
I’m getting mixed messages about whether I have to work overtime
Ask a Manager
FEBRUARY 3, 2016
A reader writes: I am receiving mixed messages from my manager, and I’d really like it to stop. When I accepted my current position a year ago, I was very clear that I am a solo parent to an infant and I’m unable to work a lot of overtime. clearly stated I could do it a few times a year, but not regularly. I’ve been asked to work the last six Saturdays in a row, which put me in a difficult position with my family situation, but I cheerfully worked those Saturdays and kept my mouth shut, hoping it would not continue. ” That doesn’t sound up to me.
Innovation Buster: How Losing Your Best Employees is Killing Innovation
Advertisement
Employees at the front lines often have better ideas for innovation than others within the business, but when they walk out the door, they take those ideas with them. Want to innovate better and faster than the competition? You need to hold onto your best employees and the ideas they have. In this session we will explore how various pieces of the talent life cycle are related to retention and examine more than 20 strategies and ideas for improving retention outcomes for your business.
weekend free-for-all – January 30-31, 2016
Ask a Manager
JANUARY 30, 2016
This comment section is open for any non-work-related discussion you’d like to have with other readers, by popular demand. This one is truly no work and no school. If you have a work question, you can email it to me or post it in the work-related open thread on Fridays.). Book Recommendation of the Week: And Again , by Jessica Chiarella. open threads
managing by posting lists, giving a reference for a former coworker who wasn’t very good, and more
Ask a Manager
FEBRUARY 5, 2016
It’s four answers to four questions (well, three plus an update). Here we go…. 1. Manager posted list of names of people who are always on time to work. Recently my supervisor posted a list with five names out of the 22 people who work in our dept as “being on time 100% of the time.” ” I feel like this a little bit passive aggressive shaming of employees who were tardy. Granted, we have a few who are late 100% of the time, but some are late by one minute once! Your thoughts would be appreciated. Should I give a reference for a former coworker who wasn’t very good?
open thread – February 5-6, 2016
Ask a Manager
FEBRUARY 5, 2016
It’s the Friday open thread! The comment section on this post is open for discussion with other readers on anything work-related that you want to talk about. If you want an answer from me, emailing me is still your best bet*, but this is a chance to talk to other readers. * If you submitted a question to me recently, please don’t repost it here, as it may be in the to-be-answered queue :). open thread – February 5-6, 2016 was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager. open threads
boss said I could have time off as long as it wasn’t for an interview, coworker won’t stop asking me questions, and more
Ask a Manager
FEBRUARY 3, 2016
It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go…. 1. My boss said I could have time off as long as it wasn’t for an interview. The company I work for has had a lot of changes recently. We changed corporate companies, and the new company lacks vision and leadership. Furthermore, the general manager, assistant general manager, and even my boss have left the company. work in HR and I am the only line-level associate in that position. Since my boss left, I have taken on a great deal more work and have worked 10 Saturdays since October. more an hour. It has great benefits and is even closer to home.
2016 Training Program Best Practices
Advertisement
Can you hear the collective groan when you launch that new compliance course? Do you get complaints both public and private from trainees about the uselessness of the training courses you've launched? Is there anything that can be done about it?
how can I get out of my office’s basketball game, can’t keep working without a contract, and more
Ask a Manager
FEBRUARY 4, 2016
It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go…. 1. How can I get out of my office’s basketball game? work in a small sales team (two groups of five people) for a university selling tickets to athletic events. All of my coworkers are hardcore jocks and sports fans. love my job, but I’m not the biggest sports fan. My boss knows that I don’t like sports nearly as much as my coworkers and he’s fine with that, particularly because it doesn’t affect my job performance. My boss has emphasized that we’re not there to be competitive but rather to just bond as a team. Ugh, I’m right there with you.
ask the readers: etiquette for the office gym — changing, showering, attire, and other terrifying questions
Ask a Manager
FEBRUARY 4, 2016
A reader writes: Could you share workplace gym etiquette? work at a relatively small community college that has a gym, locker rooms and workout classes. routinely see my colleagues and students using the facility and I have started to use it, as well. Could you share guidelines for changing or showering in front of students/colleagues, appropriate gym attire, and workout activities to avoid? The women’s locker room has individual showers, but the men’s locker room only has a communal shower. ask the readers workplace practices
how to improve transparency on your team
Ask a Manager
FEBRUARY 2, 2016
People often think of “transparency” as being something that happens (or doesn’t happen) at the very top levels of a company, like transparency with shareholders, the media, or the public. But transparency is also important for individual managers, because it will lead to better decision-making, better collaboration, and a great sense of ownership throughout your team. Creating a culture of transparency isn’t that hard, if you’re committed to doing it. You can read it here. how to improve transparency on your team was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager. good management
Transform ‘OK’ managers into great managers with data
Kanjoya
FEBRUARY 3, 2016
Build your managerial bench strength by delivering personalized, actionable, and timely insights for professional development. Many people have worked for OK or good managers, but few are lucky enough to have worked for a truly awesome manager. I was fortunate. He made work fulfilling. When he needed something – a deck, a spreadsheet, or anything else – I’d deliver, regardless of the day or time.
Ditching the formal performance review? Kineo shares 3 Elements for Success
Advertisement
Is your organization thinking about moving towards a performance development culture? What are the elements to succeeding and keeping managers and employees engaged? Download “A Road Map for Change” to find out and gain insight into making the transition as smooth as possible on your journey into this brave new world.
Creating a Culture that Recognizes “Originals”
RecognizeThis!
FEBRUARY 3, 2016
by Derek Irvine. Recognize This! — Recognizing cultural contribution instead of cultural fit is a valuable way to reinforce the contributions of “Originals.”. recently caught a piece on the Marketplace Morning radio program, interviewing Adam Grant (one of our WorkHuman speakers from 2015!). He was sharing some of the interesting findings from his new book, Originals.
Coaching: The Four Essentials
All Things Workplace
FEBRUARY 2, 2016
What makes coaching successful? Success is often attributed to mutual chemistry, technique, and readiness to learn. agree that those are important ingredients in the process. But in reality, they are steps to achieving results. And that's what we're looking for, right? How do we reach the movement and momentum we want? I was discussing performance management on an HR.COM webinar. Clarity.
Why Aligning Corporate Goals Takes More than Just Software
ClearCompany HRM
FEBRUARY 1, 2016
Most of the time when we approach goals, we do it from a corporate angle. After all, that makes the most sense. The reason you hire people is to reach the organizational goals of the company. It’s why they get a paycheck, says traditional thinking. But we know today that engagement skyrockets and employees are more fulfilled (and productive) when they understand those organization goals.
Five Things I Miss About Working in HR
UpstartHR
FEBRUARY 3, 2016
I have been on a parallel track to HR for the last year and a half or so, and there are a few things that I miss about my beloved profession. There are other things, as mentioned below, that I certainly appreciate about my current role. What I Miss Having insight into the business operations, funds, etc. The bird’s eye view of things. It’s not too shabby! I get to write.
HR's Critical Role in Creating Productive and Meaningful Workplaces
Advertisement
Today’s workplace is characterized by chaotic forces—low employee engagement and productivity levels, and declining employee well being. HR Leaders have a critical role in defining the vision and strategy to transform and create a more productive and happy workplace.
Performance Management and Your Annual Raise
Laurie Ruettimann
FEBRUARY 2, 2016
I know the current trend is to decouple performance management from compensation, but I hate that trend so much. want to stab it in the face. You bring your bias to every discussion. So let’s not pretend that more manager-to-worker communication is the solution to creating a robust and satisfying employee experience. Yes, okay, talk to your employees regularly. And maybe call in some lawyers.
A New Approach for a New Year
HRchitect
FEBRUARY 4, 2016
Written by: Brandie Hurtado. Over the last four years, I have seen many shifts in the HCM marketplace and in HR technology trends. I’ve noticed one constant – almost every organization who opts to handle selection or implementation of HCM technology in-house, ends up regretting it later. In reality, that assumption by business leaders does not always hold true. How can it be fixed?
[Infographic] The Benchmark of Successful Internal Email Campaigns
Get Hppy
FEBRUARY 4, 2016
Even though social communication is on the rise, email remains a reliable ally for most workplaces and it can be a powerful channel for employee engagement. We recently discussed business transparency practices and how internal communication can drive this transparency, making employees feel empowered, informed and engaged. million recipients between October 2014 and October 2015.
Infographic: 2016 – The Year of the Employee Engagement
HighGround
FEBRUARY 2, 2016
Employee engagement has been a hot topic for a few years now and organizations are finally taking a closer look at how to create a culture of continuous, real-time feedback. The infographic below shows how we got here and why 2016 will be the year of employee engagement. Share this Image On Your Site. Please include attribution to www.highground.com with this graphic.
Learner motivation explained! Learn how to use an LMS to motivate your learners to upskill
Advertisement
Training and development professionals often bemoan the lack of apparent initiative in their trainees. Learning professionals spend huge sums of money creating or acquiring skill aligned libraries of learning content, only to watch almost helplessly as learners refuse to engage with any training available that isn’t mandatory.
Bloom where you are planted
Linkage
FEBRUARY 2, 2016
I am excited to bring you the third story in our “Leaders Who Inspire Us” series. In these candid one-on-one interviews, we will feature senior leaders who have had a lasting impact on their teams and their organizations. We will share stories that are about more than doing a job or building a career. They are about fulfilling a personal mission to drive change. Bloom where you are planted.”
The only recruitment plan you'll ever need
Hoops
JANUARY 30, 2016
A recent report on the labor market outlook said that the US leads all major markets in unfilled jobs. There are various reasons cited including the lack of technical competencies and stagnant wage growth. However, the biggest factor was an overall lack of applicants for open positions, no surprise given the exceedingly low unemployment rate. And that’s the good news. Engage talent in new ways.
The only recruitment plan you'll ever need
Hoops
JANUARY 30, 2016
A recent report on the labor market outlook said that the US leads all major markets in unfilled jobs. There are various reasons cited including the lack of technical competencies and stagnant wage growth. However, the biggest factor was an overall lack of applicants for open positions, no surprise given the exceedingly low unemployment rate. And that’s the good news. Engage talent in new ways.
Wellness Matters: How Caring for Your Employees’ Health Can Help Your Company’s Bottom Line
TriNet
FEBRUARY 1, 2016
February is American Heart Month, a time when caring organizations and individuals work to raise awareness about heart disease and ways to prevent it. This time of health consciousness is also a good. Visit site for full story. Safety & Wellness in the Workplace American Heart Month employee wellness
The Performance Management Storm: Four Macro-Trends Driving the Change
Advertisement
Needed: A shift from traditional performance management systems (organized as an annual review process) to newer performance development systems (organized around real-time dynamics). Download part one in a series to gain insight into why this shift must happen and why it needs to happening now
Let's personalize your content