The Workplace Stack Exchange
The Workplace Stack Exchange

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1500 questions
73
votes
5 answers

I returned from vacation to find my desk in a mess. How should I deal with this?

I work in USA as a Software Developer. I took a week off as a vacation, and came back today to see my desk in a mess: my 3 screens were unplugged and stacked, and there were cigarette ashes everywhere. It turns out, last week all remote…
Sandra K
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73
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11 answers

My manager asked me to hide project costs. Is it unethical for me to comply?

I'm a software architect at my company. My company is presently invested in a project that's being architected and developed by an offshore team. A few of my in-house colleagues and I have recurring meetings with the offshore team's leads to discuss…
Patrick
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73
votes
7 answers

How to respond to a very senior colleague who may have completely misunderstood my email?

I recently came across an unusual issue, which I analyzed in some detail. I emailed my observations to a Senior Architect, something like this: Hi John, While working on Foo, I observed 'Z'. I analyzed this issue further, and found out that it…
Masked Man
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73
votes
12 answers

What's the best time to arrive for an interview / meeting / appointment?

For every interview or a meeting, I surf the internet and refresh my mind on "what to do in an interview". Almost every resource I read, stated that I need to arrive ~15 mins before the interview time. I have noticed in most of the cases that I…
Khalil Khalaf
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73
votes
12 answers

Can staying late look like something bad?

I recently started working in a big company and want to do my best to stay here, of course. I am single and live close to my office so I don't mind staying late at all. I actually like it because the office gets empty and I can be more focused. I…
ranbo
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73
votes
8 answers

How to deal with unwillingness or indifference when asking for help with implementing an API in a foreign language I don't understand?

Preface: I'm still a rather inexperienced junior software developer working at a German start-up company for about 2 months gathering my first experiences of "the real world". I am currently dealing with a foreign contact about implementing an API…
SebinNyshkim
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73
votes
8 answers

Rejected by one team, hired by another. How to approach?

Recently I applied for a position at really great software company, at specific team - let's call it Team A. I've had three good interviews, but I got rejected after submitting a coding assignment. Now I clearly see why is that - I chose to write a…
Julie
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73
votes
7 answers

How should I politely turn down a task that my doctor has advised me against?

My boss (a Senior Sales Representative) has told me to pack up his office and all three bookshelves for an office move. I am his Executive Sales Support; a Print Production client liaison for his account with a major publishing company. I've worked…
Alison
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73
votes
12 answers

Is it possible I am damaging my long-term employability by staying at a company with terrible structure?

I work as a software developer, currently in my first job out of school. I have been working here for about 15 months. For all intents and purposes, our software "department" is in absolute shambles. We have no such thing as quality, or code review,…
pay
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73
votes
15 answers

How to deal with a nit-picky coworker

I'm a self-taught software developer here. I am wondering if anyone has advice about how to handle a coworker (with about 1 month of experience at my workplace compared to my 18 months) who takes every possible opportunity to insistently criticize…
user53774
73
votes
8 answers

I broke an appliance at a company-supplied house -- should I turn myself in?

The company I currently work at offers accommodation to interns, a position I currently have. This accommodation is shared among other interns. It so happens that I broke an appliance at the house. Obviously I did not do this on purpose but it…
Bruno Costa
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73
votes
8 answers

How should I maintain a professional relationship with female coworkers?

I am a recently graduated engineer and have just joined a small software company in India. Our company is divided into project teams that are further divided into groups of three people. My first project is starting soon and I've been assigned to a…
ramdas1989
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73
votes
2 answers

Potential employer is not disclosing any information about themselves without references

I applied to a job via craigslist post. Person contacted me and asked a few qualification questions. My email disclosed my website, and resume and Linkedin. They then proceeded to ask me for job references. I said I would like to learn more about…
Stanley VM
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73
votes
7 answers

Do you pay for lunch during a lunch interview?

If I am invited to a lunch (or dinner) interview at a company, would I be expected to pay for it? Should I at least try to offer and "reluctantly" decline? The company set up the lunch interview, including the location. I was not aware it would be a…
Jon
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73
votes
9 answers

Is it okay for my family to intervene when my boss treats me unfairly in the first few days of work?

I'm an 18 year old student who just started a part time job a few days ago. This was what happened: I went for the interview for the part time job and was told that the boss's wife would give me a call that night to tell me when to start work. She…
user45467
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