Dear J.T. & Dale: Two days ago, I was at a team meeting discussing a new client. The meeting ran long and I had an appointment after work, so I announced that I had to leave. I got a funny look from my boss and co-workers. The next day, everyone acted annoyed with me. My boss wouldn’t even look at me. I asked a co-worker what was up. (I’ve only been at the job two months.) She told me it’s an unwritten rule that you stay for the duration of a new-client meeting. I had never heard that from my boss, and I got kind of mad at first. But now I’m worried. Should I apologize to her? At the same time, shouldn’t the policy have been made clear? — David Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I am a 58-year-old female who just read your article about coping with negative workplace surroundings. I have a similar dilemma; however, mine is different in that the surroundings are fun-loving, nonprofessional and noisy — jokes, talking over cubicle walls, laughing, etc. I seem to be the “official grouch” because I have proper office protocol and professionalism. I’ve been here long enough to be making decent money, and I want to keep this job till retirement. Can you offer some suggestions? — Annie Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I work for a property management company, and we have a maintenance supervisor who is verbally abusive to residents as well as to fellow employees. I have brought it to the attention of the manager several times. Nothing changes. This is a hostile work environment, and the company has no handbook and offers no training. How should I pursue this? — Caitlin Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: My company recently came to us and explained that they could either complete a round of layoffs or have us all take a reduction in pay. We opted to take the pay cut, but I’m questioning it. Now EVERYONE is struggling to pay their bills. Don’t you think it would have made more sense to just let a group of people go and have them find new jobs? — Mackenzie Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I am not aware of any written or legal rules outlining severance pay, but the impression I get is that you receive two weeks’ pay for each year of service with the company. Is that how it works? — Jim Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: When I decided to go back to professional work, I had to deal with the standard request for the date of my graduation from high school. I certainly don’t see the job relevance. This practice automatically provides the employer with the age of the applicant, who can then use whatever excuse is handy not to interview/hire the applicant. Why is it legal to ask for information that is not supposed to be considered in hiring? — John Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I can’t let go of what my former employer did to me. I was let go unfairly, and I’m so angry that I can’t move forward. I feel like the only way I’m going to feel better is if I get my old job back and get an apology from them — but that’s not going to happen. — Kathleen Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I recently landed a job at a small tech company. I like the work and the people, but the other employees are all pot smokers, sometimes lighting up at the office. Should I just say no and try to ignore it, or move on? — Gary Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I just got passed over for promotion. I was the most qualified, but the job went to a Hispanic woman. (Upper management has been pushing “diversity.”) The handwriting on the wall is saying go elsewhere, right? — Janine Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I supervise four student workers and a receptionist. One of the student workers is about to graduate, so I asked our receptionist if she thought we had enough work to require hiring a replacement. While we were talking, one of our professors walked by, and the receptionist told him what we were discussing. I felt that including the professor was inappropriate. I now feel like I need to be very careful about what I say to her for fear that she will need to “share” the information. Any recommendations? - Shannon Read the rest of this entry »