I’m totally being played by my ambitious, overbearing assistant – and I can’t fire her.
Workplace advice: “Sybil” is highly ambitious and seizes every opportunity to look good to senior management, including when it comes at my expense.
When a new supervisor clashes with long-term employees, whose side to take?
Workplace advice: At first, the employees liked "Laura," and our management team was thoroughly impressed. Then, two long-term employees told HR she was a "bully."
One of my best employees was caught watching porn at work. Do I have to fire him?
I don’t like what he’s done, but he’s our best superintendent and I don’t want to lose him. How much trouble is my company in if I keep him?
Everyone is fine with music at work except for one older employee. Could he come at us for age discrimination?
Workplace advice: "Steve" says the music is blowing his eardrums. The younger workers run circles around Steve, and they insist the music helps them keep high energy all day long.
Mean ex-coworkers made my life hell. Now I have a chance to get back at them. Should I take it?
Workplace advice: I’ve never been able to let go of what happened and it eats away at me. Now, life has handed me an opportunity to get back at these former coworkers.
Don’t let your business make the same mistakes that Starbucks did
Workplace advice: Social media and public reputation problems could have been prevented if the staff had given the initial benefit of the doubt to individuals who weren't doing anything wrong.
I’m dating a coworker who I don’t work with directly. Can my company legally require us to stop?
I’ve been asked to sign an anti-fraternization policy that forbids romantic relationships among managers, employees and coworkers. This policy is new and I believe is aimed at me and the man I’m dating.
Some employees I manage are accused of harassment. Can my company hang me out to dry for their behavior?
Workplace advice: If you ignored discrimination or allowed harassment, you may need your own attorney to protect your interests. Further, you may have individual liability.
Does your colleagues’ praise leave you feeling like a fraud? You may suffer from ‘imposter syndrome’
Workplace advice: Imposter syndrome afflicts many high achievers, particularly those who’ve interacted with a mentor or parent who alternates biting criticism with weak praise.
Can we deduct an employee’s theft of cash from her paycheck?
Workplace advice: Even if a court finds your employee guilty, you don’t have the right to withhold earned wages, even those earned in the hours during which she stole.
My company wants me to sign a ‘love contract.’ I find it offensive. What happens if I refuse?
Workplace advice: I'm in a relationship with a senior manager. Since we keep it out of the office and we’re consenting adults, what business is it of my employer?
After getting burned by a previous manager, how can I show employees they can trust me?
Workplace advice: A straightforward answer, with specifics, respects the questioner and initiates trust. Then you prove yourself.