my coworker insists on being called “Dr.”
This post was originally published on this site.A reader writes: It is the corporate culture in our departments from the director down for colleagues to...
Tag: ask-a-manager
new hire is demanding a promotion after a year
This post was originally published on this site.A reader writes: I hired a young employee, Frank, almost exactly a year ago in an entry-level administrative...
interview with a life drawing model who poses naked for artists
This post was originally published on this site.I recently talked with someone who works as a life drawing model about her work. Here’s our conversation....
my boss told me not to help a drunk conference attendee, a loud coworker, and more
This post was originally published on this site.It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My boss told me not to help a...
my team has almost no work but my coworkers claim to be stressed out and busy (and don’t want me taking on more either)
This post was originally published on this site.A reader writes: I recently left a stressful senior role following a voluntary redundancy situation. I knew I...
should I re-hire an employee who left after five months?
This post was originally published on this site.A reader writes: We just had an employee leave after only five months in his position because another...
employee’s adult child constantly interrupts them at work
This post was originally published on this site.A reader writes: I have a barely competent employee, Lee, whose low productivity has been further harmed in...
employee reeks of cigarettes, boss/friend degrees of separation, and more
This post was originally published on this site.It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My employee goes to clients’ homes reeking of...
11 times HR got it really, really right
This post was originally published on this site.We talk a lot about HR getting it wrong, but a few weeks ago we talked about times...
client keeps showing up without an appointment
This post was originally published on this site.A reader asks: I run a small business that sells specialty items online on behalf of clients who...
did my coworker accuse me of flirting with him?
This post was originally published on this site.A reader writes: A guy I work with accused me of being inappropriate with him. I was horrified...
is it terrible to call in sick after a big work sprint, could you get rejected for a job because of an eating disorder, and more
This post was originally published on this site.It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Is it terrible to call in sick after...
weekend open thread – October 17-18, 2026
This post was originally published on this site.Griffin This comment section is open for any non-work-related discussion you’d like to have with other readers, by...
previously on Ask a Manager…
This post was originally published on this site.A look back at what we were talking about around this time in previous years: One year ago…...
open thread – October 16, 2026
This post was originally published on this site.It’s the Friday open thread! The comment section on this post is open for discussion with other readers...
my coworker put up a Rising Sun flag, should I tell our lawyer about his disorganized paralegal, and more
This post was originally published on this site.It’s four answers to four questions. Here we go… 1. My coworker put up a Rising Sun flag...
is it rude to ask what people are doing on leave?
This post was originally published on this site.A reader writes: When a coworker mentions some upcoming leave they are taking, is it considered poor form...
update: I need to cunningly find out 40 names
This post was originally published on this site.Remember the letter-writer who was terrible with names and after four years still didn’t know the names of...
let’s talk about family involving themselves in someone’s job when they shouldn’t
This post was originally published on this site.We’ve heard many stories here over the years of family members involving themselves in a loved one’s job...
employee makes terrible noises about a coworker’s lotion, the Kelly Clarkson drama, and more
This post was originally published on this site.It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. The Kelly Clarkson bird toy drama I’m desperate...
my husband’s job is a mess of affairs, favoritism, and blame — what can he do?
This post was originally published on this site.A reader writes: My husband, Bob, is one of two supervisors over a small team that loves to...
update: can I have a few drinks when I’m always somewhat on call?
This post was originally published on this site.Remember the letter-writer wondering if they can have a few drinks when they’re always somewhat on call? Here’s...
my boss says I should manage my problem coworker, but I’m not her boss
This post was originally published on this site.A reader writes: How do you manage someone when you’re not a manager? For the last six months,...
can I stick it to my job because I’m angry about return-to-office, boss is a huge downer, and more
This post was originally published on this site.It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Can I stick it to my job because...
I had to fire two long-time volunteers
This post was originally published on this site.A reader writes: One of the many hats I wear at my small nonprofit is volunteer coordinator. Recently,...
my coworker’s stress is stressing us all out
This post was originally published on this site.A reader writes: I work in government on a team of extremely competent and collaborative colleagues. We do...
was my mom out of line in her response to a snarky comment from an employee?
This post was originally published on this site.A reader writes: This situation actually happened to my mom, but when we talked about it, I was...
boss is asking about my child care arrangements, people schedule meetings over my lunch break, and more
This post was originally published on this site.It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My boss is asking about my child care...
my boss wants to give me his kidney — but I don’t want it
This post was originally published on this site.I’m off today, so here’s an older post from the archives. This was originally published in 2018. A...
updates: long-winded candidates, the boss who left with no warning, and more
This post was originally published on this site.Here are three updates from past letter-writers. 1. How should I handle job candidates who cut me off,...
my coworker says her husband died — but he didn’t
This post was originally published on this site.I’m off today, so here’s an older post from the archives. This was originally published in 2018. A...
can I ask my coworkers to stop swearing, company banned my husband and me from PDA, and more
This post was originally published on this site.I’m off today. Here are some past letters that I’m making new again, rather than leaving them to...
weekend open thread – October 10-11, 2026
This post was originally published on this site.Percy, Griffin, Wallace This comment section is open for any non-work-related discussion you’d like to have with other...
open thread – October 9, 2026
This post was originally published on this site.It’s the Friday open thread! The comment section on this post is open for discussion with other readers...
my boss doesn’t respect my time, faculty member mooning students, and more
This post was originally published on this site.It’s four answers to four questions. Here we go… 1. My boss doesn’t respect my time I have...
my company won’t let anyone but HR give references
This post was originally published on this site.A reader writes: I am applying to a position in my field with another organization, but one of...
update: my coworker can’t stand me and I have to edit his work
This post was originally published on this site.Remember the letter-writer who had to edit the work of a coworker who couldn’t stand her? Here’s the...
have you ever seen a misdirected email cause drama at work?
This post was originally published on this site.Over the years, we’ve had a lot of letters about drama caused when someone accidentally sent an email...
boss pressured me into joining our culture committee, will avoiding social media harm my job search, and more
This post was originally published on this site.It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My boss pressured me into joining our culture...
the coffeeshop manipulation, the Maroon 5 shaming, and other people handling difficult moments well
This post was originally published on this site.Last month we talked about people handling difficult moments well, and here are 10 of my favorite stories...
how do I emotionally detach from my old job?
This post was originally published on this site.A reader writes: I was recently promoted to a senior role that is still within my previous department....
how to coach an employee who’s alternately long-winded and unfriendly with customers
This post was originally published on this site.A reader writes: How does one tactfully coach an employee to not talk so much? I lead a...
how does my slacker coworker still have a job, should I tell the owner people are unhappy, and more
This post was originally published on this site.It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. How does my slacker coworker still have a...
update: we have been infiltrated by a proxy interviewer crime ring
This post was originally published on this site.Remember the letter-writer whose company had been infiltrated by a proxy interviewer crime ring? Here’s the update. Thank...