Chief operating officer leaves bodies in his wake
Workplace advice: Our COO can be difficult to work with, but he’s tremendously productive. How do I keep him and other members of our team on board?
When safety at work is an issue, management needs to step up
Workplace advice: Good managers develop policies, procedures and plans to make sure their employees go home safely at the end of every workday.
When loud political disagreements roil the office
Workplace advice: Employers generally can limit political discussions that disrupt work, such as full-volume shouting matches, as long as the restrictions they impose do not violate the National Labor Relations Act.
She got into a collision while on the phone with her boss. Should the firm help cover damages?
If your employee doesn’t involve her insurance company, she’s potentially personally liable for the other driver’s chiropractic care. Or – your company is.
I want to support my co-worker, but she wants me to back claims I never witnessed
When our friends have conflicts with others, we often listen with sympathy and support. Sometimes, that’s not all that’s needed.
When the CEO protects the COO, is there any hope?
Workplace advice: Those of us who report to the COO don’t dare cross him. We know that the price we pay for job security is putting up with his verbal abuse.
I work with a woman I care for — and her abusive husband. What do I do?
Workplace advice: Also, is there a law or regulation against stress-testing?
I apologized after ticking off a manager. She’s still refusing to meet or talk in person.
Workplace advice: I ticked off our head of finance when she heard me describing her in unflattering terms. I've apologized, but now she refuses to meet with or talk to me.
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?