Lynne Curry

LYNNE CURRY

Would-be extortionist should be reported to police

When I rode up in our office building's elevator several weeks ago, a guy looked at me and said, "Aren't you, Jazz?" I froze. Years ago I danced in a topless bar and also done some pretty wild things. I now work in a high-profile job for a conservative boss.

LYNNE CURRY

Don't buy into gossip gantlet

If you've started a new job, you've probably experienced the gossip gantlet. Before you even learn the ropes of your new job, one or two individuals pull you aside and give you the scoop on your new co-workers and supervisor.

LYNNE CURRY

Employers at risk with employee-owned devices

My employer furnishes all employees with BlackBerries. I don't need one because I have an iPhone that works well for me and is more advanced than the BlackBerry. Corporate, however, issued the policy that I can't access company data from my iPhone, so I have to carry both BlackBerry and iPhone.

LYNNE CURRY

Co-worker doesn't want to play matchmaker

Q. One of my co-workers just went through a nasty divorce -- and dragged me through it as well by giving me blow-by-blow accounts of her custody battle and how she planned to take her ex-husband for every dime. At first I felt sympathy for her but I soon dreaded the daily diatribe.

LYNNE CURRY

Employee fears that family leave spells trouble at work

My organization is large enough to offer employees the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) benefit but it's a sham. I'm up for a promotion and don't want to lose it by taking leave. What suggestions do you have?

LYNNE CURRY

Showing up for work still a major requirement

Q. One of our most talented employees regularly calls in at the last minute saying she can't make it to work, relying on the rest of us to cover for her. This makes other employees crazy and sometimes ruins things with our clients.

LYNNE CURRY

Employee turns out to be no friend on Facebook page

After reading disparaging remarks made by an employee on Facebook, a supervisor had this to say: "I can't get what I read out of my mind. Because these were the employee's private comments, how do I bring them up? If I do, what are the legal and other pitfalls?

LYNNE CURRY

Be careful with boss who may be setting you up

Q. I work for a hyper-controlling boss. Because he knows I'm really good at my job, he rarely messes with me. This morning, however, he sent me an ominously worded email telling me to meet him in his office at 11 a.m.

LYNNE CURRY

Employee on leave says he should get more time

One of our exempt employees was due back this morning from his Family Medical Leave Act leave but he surprised us by requesting six more days of leave. He said because several of our administrative employees had texted him questions, he was prevented from using his leave the way the law intended.

LYNNE CURRY

Don't let inaccurate background check hinder job search

I normally can tell when someone likes me and I've left my last three interviews with good vibes but got turned down for each job. I called the last interviewer and heard my background check torpedoed my chances. I've never been in any legal trouble but when I argued this with the interviewer, he hung up on me.

LYNNE CURRY MANAGEMENT

Use third-party investigator for suspected false claim

We strongly suspect an employee engaged in a control battle with her supervisor has made a false sexual harassment complaint against him. She's talented but strong-willed and doesn't like to toe the line. He's old school, insists on on-time arrival and a full day's work.

LYNNE CURRY

Heated firing of employee may haunt frustrated boss

Two months ago I took over a demoralized workgroup. None of my employees seems to like his job, other employees, his last manager or me.

LYNNE CURRY

Making a dream a successful business isn't easy

My friend "Jim" and I worked together for three years. We hated our boss. To keep our sanity, we went out for drinks regularly and talked about starting our own business. Four months ago, we took our future into our hands and launched a small business.

LYNNE CURRY

Employee fears working late in isolated work site

I manage the office for a construction services firm. The job site is isolated, and the company's owner spends the winter in Arizona. I'm afraid to work late in the evenings.

LYNNE CURRY

Frustrated job applicant wonders about her rights

What rights do job applicants have? I've applied for dozens of jobs in the last several weeks and hate how employers treat job-seekers.

LYNNE CURRY

Heartless manager may be corporate psychopath

Four months ago I was on top of the world. My business had just been bought by an Alaska Native corporation, giving me enough money to retire and my small business the capital infusion it needed to really grow.

LYNNE CURRY

Temp said manager made a pass; she plans to sue

Some months ago, a temp employee accused one of our managers of hitting on her. We pulled the manager in for questioning. He absolutely denied it.

LYNNE CURRY

How can company keep manager it didn't promote?

When one of our senior managers unexpectedly decided to leave the state, it left a vacancy. Two of our best junior managers applied for the job and since we couldn't split the position, it forced us to choose one of them to elevate.

LYNNE CURRY

Interviewer and applicant both made mistakes

The day after we offered an applicant a job and she accepted, she asked us to delay her start date and allow her to work part time for her first two weeks. We asked why, and she explained she needed surgery.

LYNNE CURRY

Some tips for making reality of 2012 resolutions

If you could create the career future you want in 2012, what would it look like? Would you retire 10 years early? Get promoted into your boss's job? Find the job of your dreams? Get yourself 100 percent organized?

Holidays provide fertile fields for office missteps

Q. I totally embarrassed myself at the company Christmas party. I got drunk and when the band played after dinner I took center stage on the dance floor. Since no guy asked me to dance, I started gyrating sexily with another woman.