Ask the right questions…

  • March 05, 2007

Question: I will be working with a new director soon. When I meet with the new director, I would like to ask the right questions in order to get to know his work...

Dealing with divas

  • February 16, 2007

Question: Has anyone in a Sr. Admin. Asst. role had to deal with a “Diva”? I am a Sr. Admin. Asst. and I work with an Admin. Asst. who feels that she...

Electronic Sabotage In The Workplace

  • January 23, 2007

"Logic bombs" and sabotage aren't the makings of a James Bond film. They're problems any employer can face in this electronic age. Sometimes, employee malice is to...

Do we just live with nepotism?

  • November 22, 2006

Question: Nepotism: A big word that finally came to me under much distress. I'm a fairly new administrative assistant, although I think the position could easily be...

Distracting co-worker

  • February 03, 2006

Question: I work in an office where I am in the center of everything, so I can hear and see everything that goes on.  One of my co-workers pretends to work...

Gum popping!

  • January 13, 2006

Question: I work in a nice office with a lot of nice people around. Sometimes, however, the lady next to me in her cube will chew gum ... then, she will pop it. Not...

Office disruptions

  • November 11, 2005

Question: I would like to know how other assistants/receptionists/whatever your title deal with disruptions.  I 'm not talking about the phone ringing, sales...

Unfriendly atmosphere

  • September 16, 2005

Question: We have an office of about 70 employees, about 55 of whom have face-to-face contact with the public. The owner would like all patients welcomed with...

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...

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...

Too loud co-worker

  • May 06, 2005

Question: We have three offices in our building and each office has a secretary.  One of our secretaries is a wonderful person but is too loud.  When I am...

The perils of sex in the corner office

  • August 01, 2004

And now, a cautionary tale in the form of Spencer Stuart headhunter Dennis Carey, who wooed and promoted his protégé, Marie-Caroline von Weichs, then fired...

How to handle employee personality conflicts

  • May 01, 2004

Issue: Employee disagreements are often laid at the feet of HR. Risk: Disputes can lower morale, cut productivity and even trigger violence. Action: Follow the following...