Ask Your Boss: I am Going on Vacation Ei...

“I have an employee that on several occasions since she started here almost three years ago gets very defensive and combative at times. It seems to happen when I’ve had to speak firmly to her or inform her of something she doesn’t like the answer to. The most recent was when she came in and told me what days she’s taking for vacation (without previously getting the ok, and I also found that she had already booked tickets) I let her know she did not have sufficient vacation to cover the days. Next thing you know, she’s telling me I’m rude, this...

How Some Mormons Run Small Businesses in...

Story One My friend wants to quit her job. She barely started it a few weeks ago, and she already cannot stand it. It is not the job per se that drives her to the edge of insanity. It is the people. Or I should rather say, it is the business style of the company. As soon as my friend started her new job, she began to suspect that something was not quite ordinary, not entirely professional. For a few days she could not put her finger on it, until the day her company had a holiday party. On the day of the party, the food was cooked to perfection, neatly assembled on the...

Ask Your Boss: I Don’t Want to Look Like...

“I am a new employee and was hired because of my experience working with so many different companies. I have a lot of good ideas to improve productivity and quality.  How can I give my input to my boss without seeming like a know it all jerk?” It is less tricky than you think, especially because you were hired due to your experience and knowledge. You are, probably, expected to give your input anyway. Just remember that it is all about your attitude, the right choice of words and your tone. A good, friendly attitude combined with the right approach can solve pretty...

Ask Your Boss: How Should I Prepare For ...

“Year end reviews are just around the corner at some workplaces. What does my manager do in the next month to prepare for the review process? What can I do to prepare for the review process? For next year, how can I take the feedback from my coming review and prioritize my improvement efforts?” We don’t do annual reviews at my workplace. We used to do it, but not anymore. I never liked it anyway, so I embraced this change quite enthusiastically. I am one of those who prefer to give feedback as we go, not once a year. Let me give you a few pointers of how I would...

Ask Your Boss: My Boss Called Me A Moron...

Hi, I have worked for a controversial retail company for 4 years. I moved up the ranks through this time and eventually made it to the highest rank in my district. I have put in my resignation notice two times before in the future, the most recent time was about a year and a half ago. Both times I was begged to stay and offered raises, being in my early twenties at the time I stayed even though my heart was telling me to move on.  This past summer I had an audit at one of the locations I managed and a woman I work with, whom I would have considered a friend at the time,...

How to Infiltrate The Good Ol’ Boys Club...

It happens that I work in a field that attracts men, and (for whatever reason) intimidates women. When I got my first big promotion I was ecstatic. I felt that big times are coming my way. I felt I could move mountains and fly to the moon. Then I found myself in a room full of men. I was the only woman in meetings. I have to admit that in the beginning I was intimidated being the only woman in the room. Later, I started to get annoyed. I got frustrated with the way I was treated by my male counterparts. I noticed that most of the time my opinion was dismissed or...