I have one very difficult, challenging and toxic direct report. He goes behind my back and attempts to undermine me — and it appears to be working. My manager and director seem to be supporting my toxic employee. After a meeting where my employee took center stage and
We’ve been working remotely since March 2020, and lots of my staff have moved away. Even though we want to stay largely remote, we want employees to come into the office at least a few times per month. But some of our employees are living in other states.
I’m a human resources director for a large department in a big, people-oriented corporation. I’ve recently taken this role, and I’m still building my credibility. The problem is, senior managers in this department think most people-related work should be executed by HR. As much as I agree that
My employees say they are underpaid, and the thing is, they are right. Salaries are rising, and I cannot keep up. (I’m not one of those CEOs making millions — my take-home pay is less than my vice president’s pay.) Pre-pandemic, their salaries were at market rate, and the
My company has given bonuses every year since I was hired in 1999 but said last year it would no longer do it due to our industry’s economic struggles. These bonuses have always been based on 10 criteria. In an average year, I’d meet eight of these and
A reader question: Some of my employees have asked about bringing their “authentic self” to the workplace. I want to encourage individuality and the good things that come with that, but how can I still make it clear that they need to behave appropriately at work? To read
A new hire started today. He says he scheduled a trip before applying for the new job. He says he has all his reservations and has paid, so he will be taking the trip. He will finish the onboarding process and then go on the trip. What can
I recently developed a sensitivity to fragrances. I get headaches, suffer from vertigo and generally feel awful. My boss allowed me to post signs that say “Fragrance-Free Zone,” but some people persist in wearing fragrances. Once, a perfume-wearing coworker came to my cube and I felt a migraine
When is it too late to change careers? I’m 40 and hate my job. But with almost 20 years invested in my field, I really don’t want to start over with an entry-level position in a new area. How possible is it to switch careers without taking a
This has been a terrible year. Unfortunately, as a business, we’re just scraping by — and that’s despite the Paycheck Protection Program loan from the Small Business Administration. There’s no money for a lavish holiday party, year-end bonuses or even anything more than a $5 gift. What can
