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This comment section is open for any non-work-related discussion you’d like to have with other readers, by popular demand. Here are the rules for the weekend posts. Book recommendation of the week: A Good Hard Look, by Ann Napolitano. A recently married banker’s friendship with a well-known writer (Flannery O’Connor!) changes a small town in unexpected, […] The post weekend open thread – August…
A look back at what we were talking about around this time in previous years: One year ago… can you cheat your way into an interview by calling to “confirm” an interview time that was never scheduled? I’m covering 2 full-time jobs and my boss won’t help how can I explain to my boss that […] The post previously on Ask a Manager… appeared first on Ask a Manager .
It’s the Friday open thread! The comment section on this post is open for discussion with other readers on any work-related questions that you want to talk about (that includes school). If you want an answer from me, emailing me is still your best bet*, but this is a chance to take your questions to […] The post open thread – August 21, 2026 appeared first on Ask a Manager .
It’s four answers to four questions. Here we go… 1. My coworker calls me “autistic” when she’s frustrated with me My coworker keeps calling me autistic to try and explain why I do things. Examples: – When we were debating the phrasing of a document, she said, “See, this is autism! You don’t hear me.” […] The post coworker calls me “autistic” when she’s frustrated with me, coworker has “food…
A reader writes: There’s about to be a job opening on my team, and I am lucky enough to know two people who could be interested and a great fit. Is it weird if I recommend both of them? We have an internal form where we can recommend people (and get a bonus if they’re […] The post can I recommend 2 people for the same job? appeared first on Ask a Manager .
A few years back, I answered questions about the behind-the-scenes running of Ask a Manager, and recently someone asked me to do it again. So: if you’d like to ask me a question about how the site functions behind the scenes, leave it in the comment section here. I’ll pull together a Q&A answering a […] The post ask your behind-the-scenes questions about Ask a Manager appeared first on Ask a…
In an open thread earlier this month, someone asked, “How do y’all find yourself using your work skills in real life? I worked retail when I was in college and I still fold clothes the way I did at that store. My friend does marketing/graphic design and she makes these elaborate, beautiful invitations for her […] The post what habits have you brought home from your job? appeared first on Ask a…
It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My boss is being weird about me taking my birthday off I know not everyone loves celebrating their birthday, but I really get into mine! I’ve always taken my birthday off each year since I’ve been working, and my family and friends know I like […] The post my boss is being weird about me taking my birthday off, employee doesn’t take any ownership…
A reader writes: After years of toxic workplaces, I am starting at what feels like a dream workplace: positive culture, fair pay, generous benefits, a genuine commitment to diversity, and an understanding that people have different working styles and ways of getting things done. I know this is a very low-stakes problem, and I am […] The post how do I move into my first office when I’m excited to…
Remember the letter-writer who was a public speaking coach but couldn’t speak up in meetings? Here’s the update. I’m the former public speaking coach who couldn’t speak up in meetings. I’ve read a lot of these updates over the years, and so many of the letter-writers start by thanking the commenters. So it feels like […] The post update: I was a public speaking coach – but I can’t speak up in…
It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. How to tell a coworker to stop complaining about a situation that isn’t going to change I came across this part of an answer from you to someone who was bitter about the terms of a job changing: “Stop complaining — again, even to yourself […] The post coworker keeps complaining, someone went through my desk, and more appeared first on Ask a…
A reader writes: I not infrequently schedule email messages in advance. If I’m working in the evening, I might write a message but schedule it to go out the following morning, or if I’m writing to a colleague in a different time zone I might schedule it so it arrives at the beginning of their […] The post my boss says we shouldn’t schedule email messages appeared first on Ask a Manager .
A reader writes: I supervise a small team. I try to be the type of manager I would like to have and, when I’m hiring, provide lots of info for candidates. I have started to offer candidates the opportunity to talk to others in a similar job role or to connect with the person who […] The post should I offer job candidates references on me as a manager? appeared first on Ask a Manager .
A reader writes: I have a role where I’m always sort of on call. I don’t get called after hours a ton, but maybe one to two times a month. Discussions well above my pay grade continue about having a more sustainable after hours process, but for right now there are some problems for which […] The post can I have a few drinks when I’m always somewhat on call? appeared first on Ask a Manager .
