Senior Employee Is a Terrible Communicator, Retaliation via Nut, and More
The Ask a Manager column tackles four distinct workplace dilemmas: a senior employee who repeatedly fails to communicate effectively despite years of coaching, a small‑business coworker battling personal crises while neglecting duties, the risk of candid feedback in non‑anonymous stay interviews, and a hypothetical retaliation case where an employer adds nuts to a menu for an allergic worker. Each scenario highlights the tension between empathy and operational necessity, and the author offers concrete next steps—performance‑improvement timelines, informal leave options, cultural cues for honest dialogue, and legal recourse for discriminatory actions. The advice underscores documentation, clear expectations, and awareness of labor‑law protections as essential tools for managers.
How Do I Handle Being Off My Game at Work because of a Medical Situation?
An employee struggling with sleep deprivation from a new CPAP machine and medication side effects saw performance drop, leading to a performance‑improvement plan. The article advises workers to proactively disclose medical challenges to managers with a concise, non‑detailed statement and...
People Who Don’t Realize They Definitely Don’t Want THIS Job
Ask a Manager published a reader‑driven post highlighting candidates who apply for roles that don’t match their true ambitions. The piece cites a lobbyist‑hopeful who wanted to push psychedelic legalization, an admin applicant eyeing a lobbyist promotion, and a clothing‑production...
Should You Fire Someone You Wouldn’t Hire Now, Coworker Wanted to Step Back and Then Changed His Mind, and More
The article offers practical advice for managers facing five common workplace dilemmas. It recommends using the “Would you hire them today?” and a “replace‑button” thought experiment to assess low‑performing staff, while stressing that the answer isn’t an automatic termination trigger....
Employment Lawyers Won’t Talk to Me Until I’ve Already Been Fired — How Do I Find a Legal Consult Now?
Employment lawyers increasingly use contingency fees, so many refuse pre‑termination advice, especially on ADA issues. Plaintiff‑side firms screen aggressively because they can’t monetize a case without a firing. However, management‑side attorneys and boutique HR‑compliance practices still bill hourly and will...
As a Manager, when Should I Delegate Work versus Doing It Myself?
A new university communications manager is unsure whether to delegate tasks or handle them personally, especially when requests from her own manager are phrased as “can you…?”. The team’s uneven capacity—one member on sick leave, a part‑timer, a junior, and...
My Angry Boss Uses AI to Write Kinder Emails … and It Feels Weird
A growing number of managers are turning to generative AI tools such as Claude to rewrite their emails and chat messages, producing softer, grammatically flawless communication. While the AI‑enhanced messages are welcomed by staff, the managers’ in‑person demeanor remains aggressive...
How Do I Train My Team to Do My Job without Making It Obvious I’m Planning to Leave?
An employee at a fast‑growing, under‑staffed firm is overwhelmed doing the work of three roles and is actively job‑searching. The employee worries that coworkers lack the skills to cover their duties and wonders how to train them without revealing the...
My Rock-Star Coworker Will Quit if She Has to Return to the Office
A senior contributor at a global tech firm is urging action after a high‑performing colleague, Molly, received an ultimatum to relocate for a new hybrid work policy. Despite strong support from her manager and director, HR denied an exemption that...
My Employee Wants to Be Reimbursed for Not Eating when I Buy Everyone Lunch
An employer at a small tax firm provides Friday lunches to boost morale, allowing staff to order within a price limit. One employee, Cara, fasts all day and requests a cash equivalent of the average lunch spend instead of the...
A Candidate Used My Experience as Hers, when I Was on the Interview Panel
During an internal promotion interview, candidate Bella claimed credit for a database‑improvement project that the panelist had led and taught her. The panelist was unsure whether Bella was deliberately lying or simply misremembering her role. The article advises interviewers to...
My Boss Asked Me to Mentor My Coworker, but It’s Really My Boss Who Needs Mentoring
A new manager, Fergus, struggles with project management, communication, and HR tasks, leading him to delegate mentorship of a peer, Chip, to an experienced employee. The employee discovers that many of Chip’s issues stem from unclear department procedures rather than...
Should I Work From Home if I Have a Cold?
A reader with a cold wonders whether to exceed her hybrid schedule and work from home. The advice emphasizes that hybrid policies typically permit remote work for mild illnesses, allowing employees to stay comfortable and avoid exposing coworkers. Open communication...
Update: My New Team Thinks They’re Incredibly Overworked, but They Actually Do Nothing
An employee recounts an update on a team that believes it is overworked while actually having little to do. The team’s tasks, once demanding before smartphones, have been automated, yet a competitive culture and management’s obsession with coverage sustain a...
Should We Stop Sending Interview Questions in Advance Since Candidates Are Running Them Through AI?
Sending interview questions 30 minutes before a remote interview aims to boost equity and candidate comfort, but generative AI enables applicants to produce polished, pre‑written answers, compromising authenticity. Hiring panels worry that AI‑generated responses mask true competence, prompting a debate...