Category: Your Office Coach

Q: “My parents and I disagree about how I should follow up on job applications. They feel that after I have sent in a résumé, I should call the company and request an interview. I’ve tried to explain that employers don’t want phone calls, and verbal communication isn’t required in the age of technology. However, based on their years of work experience, my parents insist that personal contact is the best way to stand out from the crowd. Who is correct?” Son Against Parents

Q: “My husband and I want to move from Wisconsin to either Florida or Texas. I’ve been responding to online job ads, indicating that I will pay my own relocation expenses. Despite my twenty years of experience, I have not even had a nibble. Do you think out-of-state applicants are taken seriously?” Ready to Move

Q: “When I started this job, my boss asked for my cellphone number in case of an emergency. After awhile, he began sending text messages that had nothing to do with work. Even though this seemed unprofessional, I answered to avoid offending him. Recently, I discovered that my inbox was full, and almost all the messages were from him. This has become really annoying, so I’d like to put a stop to it. What should I do?” Besieged

Q: “Our human resources manager recently said I should consider seeing a therapist because I might be suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Last year was difficult because my husband lost his job, then was diagnosed with cancer. I was appalled by her suggestion and told her that she was completely out of line. A few weeks later, she emailed me to say that she felt we did not finish our conversation and was open to talking if I was interested. I did not reply, and now she will barely acknowledge me. I really don’t care, but it’s somewhat awkward because we work in a small company.” Insulted

Q: “Instead of addressing me by name, our new director calls me ‘Princess.’ She also seems to enjoy aggravating me. When she walks by my desk, she will push my chair, rub the top of my head, or hit me with a stack of papers. I have tried not to react, since I figure that a reaction is exactly what she wants. My supervisor told her that I don’t like being called Princess, but this just seemed to make matters worse. I have been a model employee for twelve years, so I don’t understand why I’m being treated this way.” Not a Princess

Q: “Our staff was recently asked to attend a ‘professional development’ session put on by a comedy group. The topic was supposed to be communication. Much of the material was funny, but there were also lots of crude and offensive jokes. Although our work environment is not normally like this, management did nothing to stop the inappropriate comments. Do I have the right to walk out of a meeting where people are making objectionable remarks?” Disheartened

Q: “I have learned about some unethical behavior in the small community bank where I work. The CEO’s son was hired as a loan officer. He drives the bank car to lunch and takes it home every night. His secretary says he uses a bank credit card to fill up his truck and has even charged some personal items. This amounts to stealing from the bank, which is especially annoying because employees received no raise last year. I would like to report him to the Board of Directors, but my only evidence is what his secretary told me. I’m also afraid that I might jeopardize my job. What should I do?”

Q: “For the past few weeks, one of my co-workers has been watching me closely and finding fault with my work. She keeps telling me what to do, even though she’s not my supervisor. I actually have more experience than she does. Should I tell my manager about this? I don’t want him to think I’m complaining.” Jenny

Q: “I supervise a data clerk who is rude and uncooperative. She acts independently, as if I don’t exist, and snaps at me whenever I tell her something. My manager and I have discussed this, but have not been able to come up with a solution. There is just no way to communicate with her. Any suggestions?” Defeated

Q: “I work the morning shift as a waitress in a small, privately-owned restaurant. We have a new cook, ‘Chuck,’ who works in the afternoon. When I’m trying to leave at the end of my shift, Chuck starts telling me to make egg salad or bring him cheese from the cooler. Chuck also tells me to clean the meat slicer, which also is clearly part of his job. When another waitress and I work on the night shift with him, he never helps us clean up after closing. He just plays video games and waits for us to give him a ride home. The owner is not usually around to see these problems. How should I handle this?” Overworked