Rude comments from the boss

  • July 29, 2005

Question: My boss often acts in a way and makes comments that hurt my feelings and those of others in my office.  For example, today she said that I made too much...

Job description feedback

  • July 15, 2005

Question: I would like to get feedback about a job description. The job is for a secretary at a real estate office. The job has been open for several months. A...

Controlling co-workers

  • July 08, 2005

Question: One of my co-workers (Co-Worker A) is a good employee and a hard worker. Another co-worker (Co-Worker B), who supports the department head, is very...

Items to be surplused

  • July 01, 2005

Question: Our problem is that, when various offices have items that need to be surplused, many times, they end up in the basement entry-level alcove right in front of...

Nosy managers

  • July 01, 2005

Question: Two of my managers come to my desk frequently and read my computer screen and anything else within view of my desk. I do not report to either one. They...

Home Depot’s leading philosophy

  • July 01, 2005

Take two guys who’ve made it a big part of their “value proposition” to hire military veterans, and you’ve got the basic leadership...

An unsigned contract is still a contract

  • July 01, 2005

Issue: Some courts consider agreements—signed or unsigned—legally binding contracts.Risk: A promise by one of your managers during a phone conversation could...

10 ‘don’ts’ of employee discipline

  • July 01, 2005

Leaders have tremendous power to inspire and encourage, but some techniques actually undermine performance. Here’s Samuel Spitalli’s list of 10 no-nos:

Stop FMLA abuse with employee ‘bed check’

  • July 01, 2005

Good news: Managing employees out on sick leave and spotting FMLA abuse just got easier. As a recent court ruling shows, you can call and check on employees to make ...

Copier jams

  • June 10, 2005

Question: Does anyone have an effective, politically correct method of getting people to clear their own copier jams? Not a day goes by that I don't find someone...

Chaplain’s program

  • June 03, 2005

Question: I work for a company that is owned by a very religious person. He has decided to start a "chaplain's program," which consists of a minister coming into the...

When customers cross the line

  • June 02, 2005

Employers can be liable for harassment of workers not only by other workers, but also by customers. But often, managers who'd have no qualms about...