Employer COVID restrictions in 2023
Q: My company is requiring most of us to return to the workplace over the summer. I have a question though. I live with my mother, and her health is poor. I am worried (still) about COVID. A year or … Continued
Communication challenges with a new CEO
Q: I was hired by a Cambridge-based firm about 20 years ago. I started in an entry-level role and have worked my way up. I have had about five different managers in that time. Each one was talented, but in … Continued
Networking – still valuable?
Q. I work at a large company as a manager. I recently had to lay off many of the employees who work for me. We seem to do this every year. I am tired of being put in this position. I … Continued
Pattie Hunt Sinacole explains the process of a workplace investigation
Q: I was just asked to participate in a workplace investigation. I was asked this by my direct manager and then our VP of People called me their office. I am not sure what this is about. How should I … Continued
Generational differences? Pattie Hunt Sinacole offers a possible explanation
Q: I am in my mid 50s and feel like I am out of touch with my employees. They complain about our workplace, often times not the work on their desks. They ask if what I am doing about the … Continued
Return to the workplace and employee engagement
Q: For many years, like many other workers, I had to commute to work. My commute is about 45 minutes long. Then COVID hit and we all went remote. I was able to squeeze in another 30 to 60 minutes … Continued
New rules, from a manager post-leave
Q: I have a supervisor, let’s call her Jessica, who seems to be threatened by me. As background information, I have been with my firm for 11.5 years and have about 15 years of industry experience. Jessica went through a challenging … Continued
Bare feet in the office – acceptable or not?
Q: I never thought I would be writing a letter to ask about bare feet in the office. I am a forty something manager of a young team of three inside sales professionals. Yes, we work in technology. Yes, we … Continued
Pay difference and the Massachusetts Equal Pay Act
Q: I work for a fast-growing tech company and was hired about two years ago. I was one of the first hired by this company. I have discovered that others, in my peer group, are being hired at much higher … Continued
2017 hiring plans may exclude those over 40
Q: I am a new supervisor and we have been discussing hiring plans for 2017. I work for a growing tech start up. It is a fun environment but demanding. My manager keeps describing our ideal new hire as “young, … Continued