@AskAManager

Creator of Ask a Manager – home to all your questions about lunch-stealing bosses, coworkers who won't stop hugging you, and how much you can drink at work.

 Washington, DC
askamanager.org
Joined August 2008
  • Tweets11.9K
  • Following3.9K
  • Followers80.8K
2.4KMedia
askamanager.org/2026/10/11-t…

11 times HR got it really, really right

A few weeks ago we talked about times HR got it really right (and as one commenter said, ” I did not expect these tales of human heartbreak and heroics.”) Here are 11 of my favorite stories you...

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askamanager.org/2026/10/clie…

client keeps showing up without an appointment

A reader asks: I run a small business that sells specialty items online on behalf of clients who either ship items to us or schedule appointments to make drop-offs at our office. We have prominent...

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askamanager.org/2026/10/did-…

did my coworker accuse me of flirting with him?

A reader writes: A guy I work with accused me of being inappropriate with him. I was horrified I gave him the wrong impression and wished to be swallowed into another dimension. As a woman in tech,...

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askamanager.org/2026/10/is-i…

is it terrible to call in sick after a big work sprint, could you get rejected for a job because of...

It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Is it terrible to call in sick after a big work sprint? We just went through a very busy, all-hands-on-deck period at work that was unavoidable....

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askamanager.org/2026/10/week…

weekend open thread - October 17-18, 2026

This comment section is open for any non-work-related discussion you’d like to have with other readers, by popular demand. Here are the rules for the weekend posts. Book recommendation of the...

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askamanager.org/2026/10/prev…

previously on Ask a Manager...

A look back at what we were talking about around this time in previous years: One year ago… my office is obsessed with Taylor Swift my religious family disapproves of my socializing with male...

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askamanager.org/2026/10/open…

open thread - October 16, 2026

It’s the Friday open thread! The comment section on this post is open for discussion with other readers on any work-related questions that you want to talk about (that includes school). If you want...

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askamanager.org/2026/10/my-c…

my coworker put up a Rising Sun flag, should I tell our lawyer about his disorganized paralegal,...

It’s four answers to four questions. Here we go… 1. My coworker put up a Rising Sun flag I have a coworker, Peggy, who likes to decorate her cubicle with kitchy knick-knacks she finds in antique...

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askamanager.org/2026/10/is-i…

is it rude to ask what people are doing on leave?

A reader writes: When a coworker mentions some upcoming leave they are taking, is it considered poor form to ask what they’re getting up to? My instinct when someone says, “I won’t be in next week”...

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askamanager.org/2026/10/upda…

update: I need to cunningly find out 40 names

Remember the letter-writer who was terrible with names and after four years still didn’t know the names of many of their coworkers (#3 at the link)? Here’s the update. I thought I’d send an update to...

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askamanager.org/2026/10/lets…

let's talk about family involving themselves in someone's job when they shouldn't

We’ve heard many stories here over the years of family members involving themselves in a loved one’s job when they shouldn’t — the dad who called to ensure his son’s company had “properly briefed”him...

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askamanager.org/2026/10/empl…

employee makes terrible noises about a coworker’s lotion, the Kelly Clarkson drama, and more

It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. The Kelly Clarkson bird toy drama I’m desperate for your take on this story! TL;DR renowned pop star Kelly Clarkson visits Brooklyn toy store,...

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askamanager.org/2026/10/my-h…

my husband's job is a mess of affairs, favoritism, and blame -- what can he do?

A reader writes: My husband, Bob, is one of two supervisors over a small team that loves to gossip. His boss, Amelia, is recently divorced and having a not-so-secret affair with her boss, Craig,...

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askamanager.org/2026/10/upda…

update: can I have a few drinks when I’m always somewhat on call?

Remember the letter-writer wondering if they can have a few drinks when they’re always somewhat on call? Here’s the update. Thanks again for your great advice! Things have developed, and your advice...

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askamanager.org/2026/10/my-b…

my boss says I should manage my problem coworker, but I'm not her boss

A reader writes: How do you manage someone when you’re not a manager? For the last six months, I’ve been on a small team for a project. The man we work under, George, is half-retired, works less...

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askamanager.org/2026/10/can-…

can I stick it to my job because I'm angry about return-to-office, boss is a huge downer, and more

It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Can I stick it to my job because I’m angry about return-to-office? I was working in a call center customer-facing role for five years total. I...

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askamanager.org/2026/10/i-ha…

I had to fire two long-time volunteers

A reader writes: One of the many hats I wear at my small nonprofit is volunteer coordinator. Recently, our executive director and one board member asked me to “fire” two of our volunteers, which I...

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askamanager.org/2026/10/my-c…

my coworker's stress is stressing us all out

A reader writes: I work in government on a team of extremely competent and collaborative colleagues. We do high stress, high visibility, complicated work that is often written up in the media. Our...

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askamanager.org/2026/10/was-…

was my mom out of line in her response to a snarky comment from an employee?

A reader writes: This situation actually happened to my mom, but when we talked about it, I was surprised by how different our feelings were about it. My mom works as the president of an organization...

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askamanager.org/2026/10/boss…

boss is asking about my child care arrangements, people schedule meetings over my lunch break, and...

It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My boss is asking about my child care arrangements, but I’m getting my job done I’m a relatively new parent working in a hybrid position. My job is...

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