342014
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was I rude to this stranger who wanted to connect on LinkedIn?
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DECEMBER 23, 2014
A reader writes: I received a connection request from a stranger on LinkedIn, and by the end, we both ended up feeling that the other person had been very rude. followed my instincts and didn’t engage further than the conversation reproduced below. Care to weigh in? For clarity, while we work in the same industry, we shared no contacts, previous companies, or locations. networking
I turned down a job offer, but now I want to accept it
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DECEMBER 30, 2014
A reader writes: I have been interviewing for several months now and had two good job offers come in a week apart from each other. Job # 1 could not give me additional time to weigh my options, so I declined job #1 and chose job #2. declined in good standing, explained my understanding of their time constraints in filling the role, and thanked them. They seemed to understand my need for more time as well and it all appeared to end on a good note. never want to burn bridges, and it is a really good company that may one day be in my future. contacted job #1 asking to be reconsidered. job offers
how to coach an irritated manager to stop yelling
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DECEMBER 10, 2014
A reader writes: I supervise four managers. What the employee is doing wrong isn’t outrageous, it’s just not okay and is really grating on the manager’s nerves. We’ve also talked about how she needs to remain calm and use a professional and even tone. She knows all that (in fact, she’s the one who brought this up with me), and wants to respond more appropriately, but is struggling to find the right words to say in the moment when she’s so irritated and angry. What can I do to help this amazing manager get back on her feet? What happened?”
I turned down a job offer and now the recruiter is invoicing me
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NOVEMBER 17, 2014
A reader writes: I was in the awesome position of interviewing for two roles through recruitment agencies and receiving offers for both. Both roles were aware that I had another strong offer on the table, and negotiations started between myself and the two agencies. As I was available immediately, both roles wanted me to start ASAP and had suggested start dates that were within a working week of the initial offer. Within a few days, I made my decision and I outlined my choice in an email to the recruiter of the role I was turning down. So am I obliged to pay this? What the flying F?
Skill based learning – How it drives an organization’s performance
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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.
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the season of holiday office dramas begins today…
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NOVEMBER 26, 2014
Because today is Thanksgiving, in lieu of a post today, I instead present five crazy holiday stories from years past. And speaking of things to be thankful for, crazy letters are on my list.). 1. my office Secret Santa gave me a sex toy. 2. my office wants us to chip in to send our CEO’s family on a ski trip. 3. punched a coworker at the company Christmas party. 4. my office hid the Christmas party from us. 5. former boss sent large gift baskets to some of us, but not others. You can read the whole thing here.
my employer moved our office to an inconvenient location
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DECEMBER 2, 2014
A reader writes: My employer moved our office over the summer. Our former location was very central and convenient (there was a subway stop literally in our building). The new location, while only a mile and a half away from the old location, is much less convenient because public transportation in the area is very limited. The move was entirely motivated by money; although I don’t know the exact figures, our bookkeeper is less than discreet and has intimated that they will be saving hundreds of thousands in rent each year. Looking at the big picture though, it’s still an extra 3.5
my boss refuses to give me a job description and told me to stop asking for one
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NOVEMBER 12, 2014
A reader writes: I’ve been without a job description for more than two years now. sent the following email to my boss at the beginning of the week: “I was hoping to check in on the job description – I know you’ve been slammed and I don’t want to be a nudge. But I’m mindful that my job has been changing subtly over the last year and without a description, I’ve been worried that I haven’t been doing what’s expected of me. And there’s nobody else to go to – she runs the company. advice about your boss
5 workplace trends to be thankful for
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NOVEMBER 24, 2014
When you’re slogging through the daily grind of work or a job search, or when you’re dealing with a difficult boss or coworkers, it can be easy to forget what we should be thankful for at work. But there are some significant changes underway in the American workplace, and they’re offering workers real advantages that most people didn’t have a decade ago. At U.S. News & World Report today, I talk about five positive developments that have been changing the workplace in the last few years, including the growth in telecommuting, an increase in laws requiring paid sick leave, and more.
Leaving performance reviews behind: Where to start [Guide]
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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.
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giving feedback to an unprofessional job candidate, staying in a two-bedroom suite with a colleague, and more
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NOVEMBER 14, 2014
It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go…. 1. Should I give feedback to this unprofessional internship candidate? I was interviewing for interns this past week and I found a candidate who had decent experience and decided to bring her in for an interview. Once I Googled her, I found that her Twitter feed was full of complaints about how no one would hire her and she couldn’t get any experience. completely sympathize and I know how hard it can be, which is another reason I wanted to bring her in. Once I did, it became very clear why no one would hire her. No decisions have been made.
why can’t I keep this position filled?
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NOVEMBER 10, 2014
A reader writes: I have recently been through a string of people I’ve hired (three in a row) who have abandoned their job: no call no show, within the first two to three weeks. know one left for a higher paying position. The other two did not have other jobs lined up that I know of. This has been for the same position, an entry-level customer service representative at a small mortgage company. have six other CSR’s who have been there for a while and say they love their job and the company. We are a great team who welcome all newcomers. The market rate for similar jobs in your area.
my employee constantly interrupts me with unnecessary updates and questions
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NOVEMBER 26, 2014
A reader writes: I am a fairly new accounting supervisor. Most days, I am completely overwhelmed with projects, data requests and constant deadlines looming overhead. I am trying to work more efficiently by delegating more projects and workload, but I have one employee who feels the need to come into my office several times daily to offer “updates” on the progress she’s making with things I’ve delegated to her. Sometimes she will just come in to ask a very trivial or elementary question about something she should know the answer to. You’d be mortified, right? ” And then enforce it.
tempted to lie in a job interview?
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DECEMBER 1, 2014
Thinking about padding your resume or exaggerating your experience in a job interview? Maybe you’ve considered inflating your salary history to see if you can negotiate a higher salary offer from a new employer. Stop right there. Lying during a hiring process can destroy your chances of ever being hired with that employer – and it’s easier to be caught than you might think. At U.S. News & World Report today, I talk about four particularly disastrous consequences you might face if you lie in an interview. You can read it here. tempted to lie in a job interview? interviewing
Innovation Buster: How Losing Your Best Employees is Killing Innovation
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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.
company is banning alcohol at its holiday party, even if we buy it ourselves
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NOVEMBER 24, 2014
A reader writes: My wife’s employer is hosting a Christmas party at a local Mexican restaurant where they will be paying for everyone’s meal. They announced yesterday that they forbid anyone to drink alcohol at this establishment, even if they purchase the beverages themselves. The owners of the company are Mormons who do not drink, but they employ many non-Mormons who do not uphold that standard.). This doesn’t sit right with me and I’m wondering if her employer can indeed do this. Sure, they can do that. The hosts of a party get to set the terms of their hospitality. workplace practices
my coworker wants to review my self-evaluation, an anonymous caller said one of my coworkers is dealing drugs, and more
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NOVEMBER 30, 2014
It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go…. 1. My coworker wants to review my self-evaluation and maybe borrow portions for her own. My manager asked his staff to write their own employee evaluations. I’m fine with this, but I’m not sure how to respond to a coworker’s request to review my evaluation before I turn it in. She and I have the same job title, were hired on the same day, and started at the same pay rate. We collaborate on many projects; however, we also have individual projects, or projects for which one of us leads and the other assists. What?! short answer
when an employee stops coming to work, do we have to formally fire them?
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NOVEMBER 18, 2014
A reader writes: I’m the only HR person in a high turnover construction-related business. Prior to me, the supervisors handled (or didn’t, is more like it) all their hiring and firing themselves. We often have people quit showing up for work, and in the past supervisors would just never contact them with their next report time/location rather than explicitly fire them. They would also ignore any phone calls if the person tried to reach them. The phrase they’ve used with me is “we kind of let them…go away.” Do you have any other ideas? So yes, you should call.
vote for the worst boss of 2014
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DECEMBER 22, 2014
We’ve read about plenty of bad bosses this year, and now it’s time to vote on the worst one of the whole year. We’ll crown the worst boss of the year next Monday, based on your votes … so please vote below. Voting ends at 11:59 p.m. Saturday night.). vote for the worst boss of 2014 was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager. jerks
2016 Training Program Best Practices
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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?
my boss told me “sorry isn’t good enough anymore,” wearing see-through blouses to work, and more
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NOVEMBER 27, 2014
It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go…. 1. My boss told me “sorry isn’t good enough anymore” I have been at my job for about 14 months, and I was a temp here for six months before that. feel like in the last few months, I have had a major screw-up like clockwork, once a month. Today my boss said, “Sorry isn’t good enough anymore. We don’t know what to do. We need something more from you.” Today I sent an email to my bosses apologizing again and letting them know I am following a series of “checklists” to keep track of everything.
ask the readers: should an employer know about an employee’s history with hate groups?
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NOVEMBER 19, 2014
I’m throwing this one out to readers to answer. reader writes: The ex of a new friend of mine is in prison. It is never spoken about so I got curious. Researching in the local paper, I found out that the ex is indeed in prison: seven felony counts involving drugs, minors, and guns. It was quite a scandal because he was in law enforcement. Also, in the articles I learned that the ex was a state president of an internationally known neo-nazi hate group. My friend holds a state-issued caregiver license and two advanced degrees from prominent universities and is from a very wealthy family.
update: I’m frustrated by my office’s constant Nerf gun battles
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DECEMBER 3, 2014
Remember the letter-writer who was frustrated by her office’s contant Nerf gun battles ? Here’s the update. About a week or so after this got posted, I talked to to the other person who sat in my row to ask what she thought about setting up a Nerf Switzerland in our area. She was totally fine with that; she wasn’t quite as bothered by the Nerf-ing as I was, but she did find it somewhat annoying. went to my boss and asked if it would be possible to set up such a thing. He denied my request, saying that the Nerf thing was a fad and that it would die out in time. updates
my manager wants me to marry a stranger, exit interviews in toxic workplaces, and more
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NOVEMBER 11, 2014
It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go…. 1. My manager wants me to marry a stranger for immigration purposes. My manager from another country has asked me to marry some guy from their country. It would be sexless and just to get their green card to work here. Is this illegal? Yes, that’s illegal. It’s immigration fraud and it’s punishable by large fines and prison time. (It’s also not a matter of just signing a form; there’s pretty extensive questioning from immigration officials in the process.). 2. Is it okay for them to do this? short answers
Ditching the formal performance review? Kineo shares 3 Elements for Success
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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.
how to stay productive during the holidays
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DECEMBER 17, 2014
With so many distractions during the holiday season – from parties to gift shopping to travel – how do you stay productive and focused when you’re at work? If you’re not deliberate about staying on track, it’s all too easy to find yourself dividing your attention between winter sales and eggnog, and coming back in January to unfinished work that you’d intended to complete. But it’s not impossible to stay focused during the holidays. At Intuit Quickbase’s Fast Track blog today, I’ve got five tips that will help. You can read it here. work habits
I’m interviewing for the same job as my former employee, my coworker shared my salary info, and more
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NOVEMBER 20, 2014
It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go…. 1. My coworker shared my salary info because she was angry at me. My coworker was just recently made office manager, and it has gone to her head. I am the bookkeeper here. She knew nothing about my job. Recently the owner decided to have her learn my job just in case something were to happen where I could not come into work for a long period. We got into a disagreement and she ended up telling a coworker what I made and what another person in the office made. The owner has always said that payroll is to be kept confidential at all times.
Sunday free-for-all – December 7, 2014
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DECEMBER 6, 2014
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 non-work only; if you have a work question, you can email it to me or post it in the work-related open thread on Fridays.). Have at it. Sunday free-for-all – December 7, 2014 was originally published by Alison Green on Ask a Manager. open threads
is this request from a networking contact weird?
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DECEMBER 19, 2014
A reader writes: I am transitioning out of my current career (military) and am in the job search process. recently received a LinkedIn connection request from someone who claims to run a nonprofit to help veterans in my particular skill area find civilian jobs. From his profile, he looks pretty legitimate, with lots of recommendations from people he’s helped in the past. However, I can’t really find any information about his nonprofit on the web, except for a couple of blog posts that only mention his name and the nonprofit’s name. Is that normal? networking
HR's Critical Role in Creating Productive and Meaningful Workplaces
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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.
my coworker is too nosy about how I’m spending my time off
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NOVEMBER 13, 2014
A reader writes: I have a new colleague who was recently hired. Although I have only known her for 2.5 months at work, I noticed that she has the habit of poking her nose into affairs where it doesn’t belong, particularly when it comes to how people are using their time off or even medical leave. To give you an example, I was on annual leave last Friday. She texted me out of the blue (and I say this because her texts only come in whenever I am either on vacation or medical leave; otherwise she stays as professional as possible), asking what I was doing on my time off.
can I refuse to put up Christmas decorations at work?
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DECEMBER 9, 2014
A reader writes: My employer is asking all of us to decorate our offices/work areas for Christmas this year. The decorations are provided, and she thinks it will brighten up the office. work as an administrative assistant in the front of the office. Because of some difficult personal reasons, I will not be celebrating Christmas this year, and honestly, the sight of anything holiday-related makes me sad. Would I be out of line if I refused to put up decorations? Would you mind if I didn’t put up decorations in my area?” can I refuse to put up Christmas decorations at work?
a secretary is holding up my job offer, I’m worried about how my peers will see my promotion, and more
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NOVEMBER 18, 2014
It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go…. 1. I’ve reached out to a company three times and haven’t heard back. applied for a job that I’m very confident I can do to help the company achieve their vision. It’s in a creative field, and I believe that applying in this field takes a little more than just emailing over a CV and cover letter. My application was sent by post – a handmade boxed presentation containing my CV, cover letter, printed samples of my work, and a USB drive with all the documentation digitally. Noooo. They know you’re interested. ” 4.
5 on-the-job benefits that sound great but don’t always deliver
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NOVEMBER 17, 2014
Companies are increasingly getting creative with what kind of benefits they offer to attract and retain employees – offering things like free lunches and dinner, gym memberships, and even unlimited vacation time. But while most of these sound great in theory, some of them don’t quite deliver when you look at how they play out in practice. At U.S. News & World Report today, I talk about five benefits that might sound fantastic but which have some downsides you might not expect. workplace practices
Learner motivation explained! Learn how to use an LMS to motivate your learners to upskill
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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.
how can you stay organized when you’re on the road?
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DECEMBER 4, 2014
A reader writes: At my new job, I must follow up on items of varying priority through the day. I am on the road, meeting clients in different locations, and frequently leave a meeting with a small to-do list (phone calls, emails, document edits, material preparation). The items have varying timelines, and some require additional follow-up steps. My schedule frequently changes (for example, this week I worked only in the afternoons/evenings – next week I have two crack of dawn appointments). You can read my answer to this question at Intuit QuickBase’s Fast Track blog today.
my job wants to use Facebook to monitor employees, demoralized by a coworker’s promotion, and more
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NOVEMBER 25, 2014
It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go…. 1. I’m worried my employee will be demoralized by a coworker’s promotion. I’m newly the manager of a very small group of three people. One of my first acts will be to promote someone in our group–let’s call her Sarah– who is overdue for recognition of the truly outstanding work she does for our organization. Diane does a lot that’s great but only in particular areas–she is inconsistent and at times incompetent at others. Nonetheless, she is valued for the number of things she does do very well.
my staff are sending too many personal emails to each other during the day
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NOVEMBER 25, 2014
A reader writes: I have a couple of employees who are using their time and company resources during work to communicate with each other and sending personal emails to one another during work hours. What is the best way to address this without alienating them? It seems to be ongoing throughout the day and is affecting their work. Well, coworkers emailing each other during the work day is pretty normal, even when it’s not strictly work-related. That in and of itself isn’t a real problem. So, focus on that. Can you pull back on that and see if it helps?” good management
can I opt out of our office instant-messaging program?
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DECEMBER 29, 2014
A reader writes: My current gripe at my job is the fact that we use an inter-office instant message/chat program and I find it increasingly distracting, which in turn makes me agitated at work. have it set to NOT pop up in front of me every time there’s a message, which helps, but it still leaves the little icon flashing on the bottom of my screen (taskbar) when I do, which is super hard for me to ignore. There are a handful of people in our company of 40 or so employees who do not have it because they work on Macs, and this program only runs on PCs. workplace practices
The Performance Management Storm: Four Macro-Trends Driving the Change
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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
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