When abusive behavior gets in the way of a job
Workplace advice: When I started working at my company a year ago, I was a reasonably confident individual who loved my work. From day one, my manager tore me apart.
My wife will soon have a baby. How can I convince my company to improve their paternity leave policy?
Workplace advice: Our company offers new mothers six weeks of paid maternity leave, but only offers new fathers one week of paid paternity leave. This doesn’t seem fair.
Can your employee’s big mouth pull you into a defamation lawsuit?
Workplace advice: We’re being sued for defamation as "Cora’s" posts got traced back to our company computers. We haven’t been able to find an attorney who can help us, and don’t know how much trouble we’re in.
I hired a barista and she’s an amazing employee. Problem is, her ‘attitude’ seems to be driving away customers.
Workplace advice: She can be a bit awkward and I wonder if customers are taking offense when none is meant. Since I never witness any problems, how can I find out if she treats customers poorly?
I’m in business with my best friend – and now, with his drug problem too
Workplace advice: Sometimes he races around the workplace driving everyone crazy. Other times, he nods off at his desk.
I always bomb when it comes to presentations – and it’s starting to hurt my career
Workplace advice: On a good day, a jolt of adrenaline hits me and I speed-talk. On bad days, I open my mouth and nothing comes out.
When workplace ‘zero tolerance’ policies go too far
Workplace advice: Some employers value zero-tolerance policies for the clear message they send, but there are drawbacks.
My co-worker makes violent threats, but my boss says he’s protected by law due to a mental disability
Workplace advice: “Paul” targets employees and say things like “you’d better watch your back” or “don’t forget, I know where you live.” At least one employee quit because he scared her.
‘Ghosting’: It’s not just for dating any more (job applicants are doing it, too)
Workplace advice: One-time applicant ghosts no-show when they land another job. Because they no longer need the interview and don’t expect to ever run into the interviewer again, they simply don’t call.
An employee’s shoddy work came to light while she was on maternity leave. How should we proceed?
Workplace advice: We’d like to fire her on her first day back. We also know that pregnancy gives her “protected status.” Other than documenting everything we’ve found, how do we protect ourselves from a wrongful termination or discrimination charge?
My employee is constantly on her cellphone at work. How can I rein her in without looking unfair?
Workplace advice: We’ve always let our employees make the occasional cellphone call without worrying too much about it. "Cindy," however, has her cellphone to her ear at least two to three times a day.
My addiction made me a terrible employee. I’m in recovery – but how can I find a new job with such poor references?
Workplace advice: How do I address my past problems with potential employers when I can’t even get an interview? Do I mention the situation in my cover letter?