Q. I work in the HR area at my company and just learned that an employee who is experiencing some personal problems is now having performance problems at work. I also...
Riddle me this: What's something everyone does and is impossible to stop? The answer: Gossip! Just because there is nothing you can do to completely eliminate it from...
“The whole world is a door of liberation, but people are unwilling to enter it,” wrote an ancient Chinese Buddhist philosopher. He was on to something.
Question: “Due to downsizing and others leaving the company, an immature
co-worker was promoted to a low-level managerial position. Despite her
new position, she...
Jack Burghardt, an administrative support assistant in the Denver Clerk and Recorder’s Office, said he meant no offense when he asked two Hispanic co-workers how...
Do you have safeguards to protect confidentiality while you conduct internal investigations of sexual harassment and other employee complaints? If not, you should. If an...
Question: “How can I handle
other staff who treat administrative assistants as the low people on
the totem pole? Where
I work, admins get little or no respect...
Question: “The executive I support always asks for my opinions regarding changes
to office setup, administrative support staff duties, logistics for
meetings,...
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...
At one time or another, most employees you manage will have personal problems that hinder their job performance. Often, the problems aren’t serious and employees...
Any presence of pornography in the workplace can spark expensive, reputation-draining lawsuits. You need a policy of zero tolerance: No adult material anywhere, anytime...
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....
Do you have an employee who doesn’t seem to be getting along with anyone? Has he complained about discrimination or some other supposed wrongdoing? If so, document...
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...
