Ask a Manager
WEBIt’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: I was recently attending a departmental meeting when I realized that — through a combination of steady promotions, organizational shakeups, and senior colleagues leaving over the years — I have somehow become the #3 ranked person in the department, both in terms of title and tenure.
how to write the perfect out-of-office message — Ask a Manager
WEBJun 25, 2019 · Here’s how to do it — and how not do it. 1. Cover the basics. Your message should explain that you’re out, when you’ll be back, and how reachable you are (if at all). In many cases, something like this is all you need: I’m out of the office until July 5. I won’t be checking email during that time, but will get back to you as soon as ...
I had to share a bed with a coworker on a business trip
WEBJun 29, 2016 · In any case, yes, yes, yes, speak to your boss. Say this: “Somehow on our last trip, Jane, Lucinda, and I ended up booked into a room with only two beds, and Jane and I ended up having to sleep in the same bed. I don’t know if it was intentionally booked that way or if it was a fluke. I’m not comfortable sharing a bed with a coworker, and ...
8 workplace rights you might not know you have — Ask a Manager
WEBOct 29, 2012 · Here are eight of the most important workplace rights you might not realize you have. 1. Your employer can’t withhold your paycheck for poor performance. No matter how poorly you perform, your employer can’t dock your salary.
how to deal with an unresponsive coworker — Ask a Manager
WEBNov 3, 2015 · And keep emails short so the person doesn’t have to wade through dense paragraphs. 2. Schedule time on their calendar. Send a meeting request for 15 minutes, or work with the person’s assistant (if they have one) to get a short block of time on their calendar. Then you can ask for what you need while you’re sitting right in front of the ...
why would an employer ban couples from working in the same …
WEBNov 6, 2011 · You answer to all of this might be, “No, we’re completely professional and would never bring the relationship into the office in any way” … but lots of people say that and it ends up not being the case. It’s easy to understand why an employer would prefer to just not deal with it at all. my company won’t allow any name changes, ever ...
how do I recover from a huge, fireable mistake at work?
WEBNov 6, 2014 · Make it clear that you understand what a huge mistake this was, what the potential impact could be, and how serious the situation is. Say that you’re mortified that it happened. Explain — briefly, and not defensively — where you went wrong and what steps you’re taking to avoid it ever happening again. Then see what your manager says.
how to list the dates of your current job on your resume
WEBJan 4, 2013 · This is a tiny, minor, inconsequential thing, but I’m telling you anyway because I’m neurotic about small things: If you are currently employed, the dates on your resume for your current job should end with “present.”. For instance: Chocolate Teapot Maker, 2009 – present. not. Chocolate Teapot Maker, 2009 – 2013.
how to deal with an angry, disruptive coworker — Ask a Manager
WEBJun 27, 2018 · All of our offices have doors. Chris is extremely disruptive. He frequently yells obscenities about work to himself, pounds on his desk, and paces around his office. I wrote down some of these conversations with himself and initially spoke with my supervisor. She reported that she had also witnessed Chris talking to himself in the hallway.
how to explain to interviewers why I quit my job without another …
WEBJul 30, 2015 · They don’t know. They realize that it could be that last one, but they also realize that it could be one of the others and that makes them nervous. You can try an answer like “I wanted to to take some time and really focus on finding the right fit for my next move,” but even then most interviewers are going to assume there’s more to it ...