I'm a PM on a rather small-ish team and am currently in the position of being the most senior on the team in terms of knowing how our process works, but not the most senior person in terms of title (i.e. I am not the boss, but have one full-time PC and a temp PM that often turn to me with questions, including my boss who seems to either not want to learn our process or just doesn't seem to "get it"). [more inside]
posted by Ham_On_Rye on Oct 21, 2009 - 3 answers

Is this a hostile work environment? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Oct 8, 2009 - 14 answers

My coworker came to work and shot himself today. I was the only person to talk to him and was one of the first people to reach him after he did it. I'm planning on speaking with the grief counselors they're bringing in tomorrow. But I'm wondering if there are any resources I should know about for people in a situation like mine, specifically: witnesses of the suicide of a coworker or friend. In case the details are relevant: they are below. [more inside]
posted by nerdcore on Sep 30, 2009 - 31 answers

I'm in a crappy work situation and I know that the ultimate solution involves leaving my job, but how can I cope with this particular situation in the meantime? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Sep 28, 2009 - 9 answers

Need resources on 'peer coaching' at work. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jul 30, 2009 - 1 answer

Had a blowout with a coworker several weeks ago. I was an asshole. Realized it. Waited a couple days. Sincerely apologized and kept to myself. Said coworker is still holding a grudge. Accept it as the new status quo or try more outreach? [more inside]
posted by everythings_interrelated on Jul 10, 2009 - 23 answers

How do you handle a situation where a few of your co-workers -- some of who are above you -- are inefficient, show very little work ethic, disorganized, slow, and generally ineffective in their positions? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jun 18, 2009 - 20 answers

What do I do about my annoying coworker who talks conservative politics all the time? [more inside]
posted by threeturtles on Apr 17, 2009 - 41 answers

Need tips on how to deal with an (intensely) aggravating employee. [more inside]
posted by FatherDagon on Apr 14, 2009 - 35 answers

In a week I'll be moving away and leaving behind the tiny law firm that I've worked at for the last several years. I would really like to purchase something for the office that will make my (soon-to-be-ex)co-workers' workdays a little brighter. However, I'm stumped about what would be an appropriate, and appreciated, gift. [more inside]
posted by Pomo on Feb 20, 2009 - 9 answers

Why are these two males acting funny with me? [more inside]
posted by InterestedInKnowing on Feb 19, 2009 - 23 answers

Is it weird to invite acquaintances/coworkers out for drinks after work to celebrate your own birthday? Is it a fairly accepted, normal thing to do, or is it likely to set off the "she's strange and/or desperate!" alarm bells? [more inside]
posted by EmilyClimbs on Jan 22, 2009 - 32 answers

Did I just make a massive mistake during my staff evaluation meeting with my boss? Or not? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Dec 14, 2008 - 24 answers

My department at work is restructuring, and it was just announced today that I am moving to another team. How can I show my team that I've loved working with them, and that I truly appreciate everything that they have taught me? [more inside]
posted by speedoavenger on Dec 8, 2008 - 5 answers

I have a number of co-workers that I'd like to get to know better and become friends with if they're interested. We're friendly at work, but it's never gone farther than that, and I don't know how to try to move towards a real friendship. Any suggestions? [more inside]
posted by EmilyClimbs on Dec 8, 2008 - 16 answers

Conflict resolution-filter: How can I be a better (read: appropriately responsive and fair) moderator and listener? A lot more inside. [more inside]
posted by self on Dec 3, 2008 - 8 answers

How do I get coworkers to stop asking me to donate blood? [more inside]
posted by librarylis on Aug 26, 2008 - 59 answers

How can I make someone else a better graphic designer? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 7, 2008 - 16 answers

What do you do when you and someone you barely know are approaching each other? Always make eye contact and smile or say hi? Make eye contact and then keep walking? Keep walking unless they say something? Mentally scramble for small talk? Stop and tie your shoelaces? [more inside]
posted by TheSecretDecoderRing on Jul 23, 2008 - 24 answers

The waist pinch: does it necessarily indicate flirting? [more inside]
posted by boy detective on Jun 28, 2008 - 26 answers

Should I (try to) learn to play golf? [more inside]
posted by taubman on Jun 16, 2008 - 19 answers

What to do about a moonlighting coworker? [more inside]
posted by Rae Datter on Jun 16, 2008 - 36 answers

How to exit this job gracefully? [more inside]
posted by frosty_hut on May 20, 2008 - 15 answers

Imagine you're planning a trip and you know someone, maybe distantly, who used to live where you are traveling. Do you feel obligated to ask that person for advice? What do you ask them? [more inside]
posted by cabingirl on Apr 19, 2008 - 12 answers

Help me use game theory to better understand the seemingly irrational behavior at my workplace [more inside]
posted by brandnew on Jan 30, 2008 - 16 answers

How do I fire someone without demoralizing the rest of my team? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Dec 8, 2007 - 38 answers

I'm looking for recommendations of good-sounding headphones that don't leak sound, so I can crank up the volume without annoying my coworkers.
posted by harmfulray on Oct 9, 2007 - 14 answers

I have a very good memory, which comes in handy at work when issues come up and I can recall the context and history. However, my colleagues have come to rely on my memory rather than developing their own knowledge or referring to other sources of information. How can I get them to leave me alone so I can get some work done? [more inside]
posted by cabingirl on Sep 12, 2007 - 27 answers

Awkwardness v. Maliciousness: Am I correct in thinking that it is *way* impolite for a longtime (male) co-worker to bring up the subject of my particular past ex-girlfriends during happy-hours/dinners that include my current (well, 2 yrs now) girlfriend? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 13, 2007 - 33 answers

How can I deal with a troublesome co-worker, or else not let her get to me? [more inside]
posted by psmealey on Apr 19, 2007 - 12 answers

What are some good group/ teambuilding activities for a bunch of young, cynical co-workers in New York City? We aren't a bunch of bitter hateful people or anything, but I use the word cynical to make clear that some kind of cheesy rah-rah corporate teambuilding exercise won't fly with this group. Unfortunately, official "teambuilding" stuff that I've seen is all cheesy corporate rah-rah. [more inside]
posted by Mavri on Apr 4, 2007 - 35 answers

MiddleManagementFilter: Boss says give task X of my project to "Robin". I try. Instead of doing task X, Robin sets up a meeting between me, her, and whoever she wants to pass me off to. She steps out, I end up doing it. How do I get her to do the damned task? [more inside]
posted by kookoobirdz on Mar 9, 2006 - 20 answers

Please help me identify and address a specific negative workplace behavior. Is this person being passive aggressive? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Dec 13, 2005 - 28 answers

How can I stop being bothered by little things at work? There are some things my coworkers do that drive me nuts, but they aren't the sort of things you just ask people to stop doing. [more inside]
posted by Godbert on Sep 21, 2005 - 42 answers

What do you do when someone hates her job and tries to make everyone else hate theirs, too? What do you do with someone who almost literally seeps anger and discontent into the air around themselves? [more inside]
posted by Medieval Maven on Feb 24, 2005 - 18 answers

My spouse and I are ending our marriage, and I would appreciate advice on how and when I should tell people.

We pretty much decided to do this a couple months ago, but I hadn't talked about it with anyone out of hope that we would reconcile. Recent events have made it clear that this isn't going to happen. Now I want to know how long I should wait before I explain what's happening to my child, family, friends, and acquaintances.

Tips on how I should raise the issue are also appreciated. Obviously telling my parents will require a different approach than telling, e.g., my boss. My spouse and I are both fairly introverted, and few of my friends are acquainted, so I can't count on this information spreading itself through any circle of friends. Without forcing anyone to chose sides or evoking pity, I am simply looking to minimize the inevitable awkwardness facing me.

I will definitely seek the help of a therapist, especially for guidance on how best to guide my first-grader (whose emotional well-being is most important to me) through this very difficult thing. However, I'm also interested in the input of anyone who has either been through this situation or know someone who has.
posted by anonymous on Oct 31, 2004 - 14 answers

Putzface_dickman's question below and some issues I'm having with a co-worker prompt this: if you suspect someone of having no imagination, what's a good way to "test" them?
posted by PinkStainlessTail on Sep 23, 2004 - 26 answers

I work with people who have certain views that I find reprehensible, (not just disagree with, but find inimical,) but are otherwise decent people. How do I deal with them when they voice these views? I want to remain true to my principles, but not be combative. [More Inside] [more inside]
posted by Snyder on Jan 12, 2004 - 21 answers