This post was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My boss keeps giving me food I can’t eat Is there a tactful way to ask my boss to stop giving me food-based tokens of appreciation? My boss occasionally gives donuts, cookies, candy bars, or buys pizza for our small work group...

This post was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. A reader writes: Am I crazy or is this a red flag? I’m working a temp to perm job, and was just let in on a departmental secret. Apparently, when our supervisor is deciding who to keep on permanently, she will figure out which car is yours and walk out to it on a break to inspect...

This post was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. A reader writes: I have a new hire who’s coming to the end of his probationary period. Chris is conscientious, smart, and has gelled well with the team. He’s completed his probationary objectives with time to spare, and in our most recent catch-up, I suggested that he start considering...

This post was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. A reader writes: What’s the etiquette, if that’s the right word, for leaving a job before the end of your notice period? I resigned due to a toxic micromanager boss who also leans toward abusive. She has been out on medical leave for the last three weeks, but is back today....

This post was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My boss keeps pulling on my ponytail I started a new part-time job at a restaurant a few months ago. I like it, for the most part, and I like the managers. But one of them, Phil, has a rather odd habit. He semi-regularly tugs...

This post was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. A reader writes: I have an employee who is unable to obtain childcare when he is on call, which is an essential part of his job, and the job is not safe to take a child to. Therefore, we may not be able to keep him on. I supervise a team of maintenance technicians who rotate...