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.
About - Ask a Manager
WEBSome of my biases —. I believe the whole point of managing is to get things done. Everything else follows from there. I believe that employers and employees should just be straightforward with each other and not let things fester. Unless you’re deluded or a jerk, candor usually leads you someplace good.
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 ...
how to prepare for an internal interview — Ask a Manager
WEBApr 6, 2015 · 4. Strike the right tone. The first three tips addressed how you should treat internal interviews the same as you would for any other interview. But there’s one area you should approach differently: tone. The people interviewing you are your co-workers, after all, and it’s reasonable to use the same sort of collaborative, conversational ...
do I really have to use formal openings and closings in every email ...
WEBJul 29, 2019 · A reader writes: I just attended a training where I was told a professional email MUST begin with one of the following: • Hello [Name], • Good morning/afternoon/evening [Name], • Greetings [Name], • Dear [Name], • Welcome back [Name], • Thank you [Name], The trainer also said a professional email MUST end with one of the following: • Respectfully, • Thank you, • Regards/Kind ...
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.
when I talk to HR, don’t they have to keep it confidential?
WEBAug 1, 2010 · Angie Bennet * January 17, 2013 at 12:00 pm. There are many times that HR will go ‘above and beyond’ in their un-necessary ‘reporting’ to management; I worked for a fairly large medical corp. and my boss was harassing me horribly because I had to take some time off for medical testing; he was constantly screaming at me in front of other staff, throwing files on my desk nearly hitting ...
how to tell an employee to stay in their lane — Ask a Manager
WEBFeb 21, 2019 · A reader writes: I’ve been at my company for about a year, and I inherited most of the large team I manage. Their job descriptions and roles are pretty clear and specific, but one of our subject matter expects, “Jane,” is constantly questioning the work of other team members on projects she doesn’t have a stake in (and by default, my support for that work/the decisions being made).
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.
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