can I suggest that my employee rethink her career, pimple patches at work, and more — Ask a Manager
It’s four answers to four questions. Here we go… 1. Can I suggest that my employee rethink her career path? One of my direct reports, “Mindy,” has worked for my organization since college; she’s now 31. I joined the staff three years ago and enjoy her a lot as a person: she’s smart, has a […]
can I resign but still ask for severance? — Ask a Manager
A reader writes: Last summer, an old mentor from my past company — who led a couple projects I was on but was not my direct manager — took a new VP role and sent for me. I had applied for a role on her team at our former org and didn’t get it, but […]
4 Things To Consider Before Taking A Lower-Level Position
In cold weather climates, the beginning of spring is a time to clean the house and get organized—a practice known as spring cleaning. Through the years, spring cleaning has taken on a larger meaning, with people using the time to organize and declutter things in their lives. For professionals on the job hunt, a little […]
I saw my employee’s X-rated chat — Ask a Manager
I saw my employee’s X-rated chat by Alison Green on April 2, 2025 A reader writes: Today, during a screensharing session with my new employee, Barb, I saw something inappropriate on her screen and did not speak up. I was so dumbfounded that I just quickly wrapped up our call. I’m almost sure I saw […]
marketing team refuses to do our projects, second thoughts about a new job, and more — Ask a Manager
It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Our marketing team refuses to do projects for us, then complains if we do them ourselves I’m one of several who create new educational resources for our target audience. Like most companies, we have a graphic design/marketing department that designs and approves anything that’s going […]
the head of the nonprofit I volunteer for doesn’t know what a budget is — Ask a Manager
A reader writes: I’ve been doing some remote volunteer grant writing as part of a long-term plan to break out of my current job family (also nonprofit-centric). The nonprofit I’m currently working with is only a few years old, in another state, and very small, with no paid staff. My main contact is the executive […]
5 Key Things To Ask In Your Next Job Interview
“Do you have any questions for me?” This is typically the final question you will be asked in a job interview. Ask the wrong questions, and you might look like a bad fit. Ask no questions, and you might look indifferent, inexperienced, or uneducated about the position. Asking the right questions—aside from proving yourself to […]
potential employer wants me to disclose any medical conditions, including migraines, depression, eczema, and more — Ask a Manager
A reader writes: I recently interviewed for an admin role, essentially front reception, for a private hospital. The job is entirely non-clinical. After the interview, the hiring manager emailed me to say that they would like to progress my application to the next stage. In the email they included a link for me to complete […]
drunk coworker’s aggressive behavior outside of work, a retroactive pay cut, and more — Ask a Manager
It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Can I report my coworker’s drunken, racist aggression outside of work? This past weekend, after a Saturday work event, a coworker invited me out for lunch and a few drinks to celebrate a job well done. We made a call to another coworker who lived […]
when someone tells you you’re too sick to be at work (but you’re not) — Ask a Manager
A reader writes: How should I respond when someone tells me that I am too sick to be at work and I should be at home? The context here, one of my directs popped her head into my doorway and said, “You should really be at home today.” I am recovering from a cold/flu and […]