This post was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. A reader writes: Now that the pandemic is “over” ( /s) and all the rules and restrictions have pretty much been lifted, I have a question: as a manager, what can I do to make people stay home when they’re sick? I’m the director of a mid-sized public library, and we have a librarian,...

This post was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. Remember the letter-writer asking whether there was anything they could do about their nightmare workload? The first update was here, and here’s the resolution. Well, I certainly wasn’t planning to have another update after a week and a half, but I am no longer at this job! Things...

This post was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. Here’s a round-up of some of the most key job-searching advice on this site. Resumes and Cover Letters The first thing to know is, if you’re not getting interviews, you probably need to fix your resume and cover letter. If you’re thinking your materials are fine, I’ve got to tell...

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...