Question: “Due to the economy, we are looking for ways to host a cost-effective holiday party for our employees. In the past, we have been accustomed to nice venues with large scale professional entertainment, open bar and a nice dinner buffet for our employees and their spouses (about 135 people). We have three offices and have provided hotels for those who have driven in from other parts of the state. Should we host a party for employees only? Change bar service to three complimentary drinks only? Consider appetizers vs. a sit-down buffet style dinner? Consider giving employees gift cards and skip the party? “ — Rhonda
Question: “I am developing a training class for administrative support staff on achieving workplace success in a changing environment. I’m having difficulty locating information on how staff can boost their self-confidence and motivation and feel more empowered during economic uncertainty and organizational change. Can you suggest resources? — Linda
Question: My boss’s boss, “Ellen,” frequently redirects my employees without informing me. She just tells them to disregard my assignments, then issues new instructions. Recently, Ellen asked a member of my staff to manage a major project, even though she knew I had already chosen someone else for that role. Previously, she had expressed no concerns about the person I selected. Every year, Ellen approves my annual goals, then switches things around and makes it impossible to accomplish them. My manager is no help because he’s very weak. Do you have any suggestions? — Bypassed
Question: “What steps are you taking to advise your employees about the upcoming flu season? Are you handing out policies or a general flier urging hand washing or staying home when ill? — Dl
Question: “I work in health care, and our employer is forcing us to get the flu shot, even those who do not have patient contact. If we refuse, we could be terminated. The only exception is those people who cannot get the flu shot for medical reasons. Is this legal?” — Anonymous
Question: “I have been fired from almost every job I have ever had. My friend says I’m just unlucky, because I seem to wind up in impossible situations that I can’t escape. I know that difficult people are everywhere, but I guess I haven’t learned how to properly navigate around the worst ones. I’ve tried the fight-back approach and the just-deal-with-it approach, but neither seems to work. Last time, I made a pre-emptive strike by complaining to human resources, but I still wound up on the losing end of the stick. I have been fired from five jobs in seven years. What would you recommend for someone like me?” — Nathan
My boss wants me to spend a good chunk of money on something that I think is unnecessary during a time when our department is being watched for excessive expenditures. I’m the one who buys everything and has the credit card. But I want to make sure this purchase doesn’t come back on me. Is there a protocol or common form that I could have him sign to show that he’s responsible? — Linda
I have a new boss and she is so unorganized. She has piles and piles of papers and complains that she can never find anything. How do I get her to organize her desk? — J
Question: Our HR manager recently told me that my bosses had complained about my coming in late. I am a secretary to three attorneys in a large law firm. Since I frequently work after hours without overtime pay, I assumed that arriving late was no problem. When I apologized to the attorneys, they said the HR manager brought up the subject. The attorneys thanked me for working in the evenings. I have told the HR manager that I don’t appreciate her misrepresenting the situation. I would like an unbiased third party to mediate this tardiness issue, but a friend says that bringing up overtime would create big problems. What should I do?” Angry with HR
Question: “An employee placed a recorder in a meeting but none of the participants were aware that she was recording the session. She later confessed to me that she recorded it. What should I do?” — Amanda
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