Question: “How can I tactfully and respectfully ask my boss to stop announcing my
doctor’s appointments to other employees? I cover for other areas,...
Question: “I supervise our receptionist/secretary and share an office with her.
When the director or other staff members come into the office to speak
to me...
Question: “I am an administrative assistant with a busy schedule working for a
senior director. My problem is our receptionist, who works right
outside my...
Question: “I work in a department that is divided into teams. I am the department
administrative assistant, supporting about 25 people. The department
celebrated...
Question: "How do you resolve conflict and assuage damaging, condescending
comments that are very subtly done? The comments come from a manager
to an employee...
When a supervisor enters into a sexual relationship with a subordinate, chances are things won’t go well for the company. That’s one reason you should put in...
Negativity spreads like a virus through the workplace, causing low morale, high tension, and greater dissatisfaction, which can all lead to an increase in turnover....
Unexpected and unexplained events can spark rumors that, if ignored by HR and management, will take on a life of their own. But there's an art to dealing with rumors and...
How can you tell when trivial issues are poised to turn into major headaches? From conflict management experts Gayle and Nabil Oudeh, here are some warning signs to...
Q One of our employees has just filed a complaint with the company claiming that she has been sexually harassed. We are concerned that if we discipline the alleged...
A Sarasota doctor’s office employee who knew she was about to be fired shot and killed her office manager, then went home and killed herself on her patio ...
When it comes to discharging an employee, be careful not to simply accept a supervisor’s opinion of the employee’s performance. If the supervisor is...
Process every employee complaint without commenting on its merits or on the potential consequences of making the complaint. Remind managers to do the same. Never make...
What’s a manager to do when faced with conflicting accounts of an argument between employees? An important part of that answer is to resolve it quickly, before the...
Question: I
have an office mate who is very nosy. We have different positions. I
have a lot of traffic flow with vendors and other employees who ask me
for help or...
Question: Last
spring, the company hired an AA. She conducts her personal business
loudly so it echoes down the hall, slams doors and comes to my desk in
the front...