How DO you deal with misogyny in the workplace? Reader J writes about a less than stellar lunch with male coworkers, concluding that she basically works with sexist pigs… My current workplace is relatively gender-balanced, and after a year of working here I haven’t really encountered any overt sexism. However, at a colleague’s small farewell … Read More about Oink Oink: When You Work with Sexist Pigs
Traveling with your boss and coworkers can be surprisingly difficult — the first time I took a flight with my boss I remember wondering how I should dress, whether I should “visit” her during the flight to check in/chat, and more. Thankfully, Road Warriorette has some great suggestions for how to travel with your coworkers … Read More about Tips for Traveling With Your Coworkers
When your boss won’t delegate, how can you move to the next step? But how can you grow your own skills when working with this person? When I got this question from Reader E a while ago, I knew just the woman to ask: Jodi Glickman, the author of Great on the Job: What to … Read More about When Your Boss Won’t Delegate
How do you get a lazy secretary to work harder for you — or how do you complain about her to the Powers That Be without seeming petty? Reader E, a reader from New Zealand, has this very problem… I share my secretary with my supervising partner, however he hardly uses her and often if … Read More about The Lazy Secretary
How do you handle questions about Ramadan at work? I think this is a great topic because awkward questions arise in a lot of different situations, whether the question stems from a religious practice (Ramadan, observing the Sabbath, ashes on Ash Wednesday), a medical issue (allergies, Celiac disease, etc), or a personal preference (e.g., a … Read More about How to Handle Awkward Questions at the Office
Reader E has a question about bad habits at the office, from nail biting, cuticle picking, hair twirling, and more… I must not be the only nail biter/ cuticle picker. What do all the over-eaters, hair twirlers, nail-biters do? I think it’s incredibly unprofessional to be nibbling at my hands all day…. Great question, E! … Read More about Bad Habits and the Office
Reader E wonders what you can and should ask your assistant or secretary to do — and what is off limits. Great question! I have been fortunate and I find myself a busy exec at a consulting firm at a young age. I am working 60-80 hours a week and just learning how to leverage … Read More about Delegating: Using Your Assistant Well
As some commenters are noting today, Administrative Assistant’s Day is April 27 — right around the corner. (Most flower places are touting “Administrative Assistant’s Week” as starting April 24.) We haven’t had a thread on gifts for your secretary/administrative assistant for a while, so I thought now would be a good time for one. (Pictured:100 … Read More about PSA: Administrative Assistant’s Day is Almost Here!
Reader R has a question about a smelly coworker that, I think, should spark a lively discussion: I have asked numerous other people (coworkers and friends) and so far no one has given a polite and appropriate response to my dilemma. I work with a lawyer who smells awful. At first I thought it might … Read More about How to Tell Someone They Smell Bad
Here’s how to steer conversation topics at work to ones you want to talk about…
Ever had the urge to indulge your inner Anna Wintour and act as the fashion police? Reader M has a question along these lines… Can we do a story on the extent to which permanent hires (i.e. me) can give unsolicited fashion advice to interns? I have worked in private practice for a number of … Read More about Can You Give Unsolicited Fashion Advice to Interns?
2017 Update: We still stand by this advice on what to do when your client hits on you, but you may also want to check out our more recent discussion of sexual harassment at work. We got a fascinating reader email from an eighth year attorney on the partnership track… I am actively trying to … Read More about What to Do When Your Client Hits On You
