What Would Bing Do?

Disinherited From the Family Business. Now What?

Stanley Bing — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:00:03 +0000

Up until two years ago, I was the heir apparent to own and operate my father's company after his death. But due to a conflict between him and my wife, he has changed his trust and will not tell me how this affects my future with the company. What should I do?

Should I Take Sides in a Boss-on-Boss Turf War?

Stanley Bing — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:31:09 +0000

I've recently become aware of a turf war between my current manager and another manager. I believe the other manager wants to muscle my boss out of the picture, and I want to align myself with the right person. What should I do?

Bad Hygiene Isn't an Oversight -- It's Her Strategy

Stanley Bing — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:53:42 +0000

In cubicle-ville, we all find ways to set boundaries. Some use flowers and pictures of their spouses. And there are those who choose to become anathema to their peers. They don't brush their teeth. They shower infrequently. They smell like their cats. Here's what coworkers can do about it.

CEOs and Facebook: What's Too Much Information?

Stanley Bing — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:12:06 +0000

Did Joie de Vivre CEO Chip Conley make a tactical error when he posted shirtless photos of himself on his Facebook account?

Salary vs. Employment Contract -- Should I Sign?

Stanley Bing — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:45:58 +0000

I've been with my company happily for several years on a salary. Now I'm being asked to sign a contract and to switch to commission. Are there ramifications to the employment contract -- i.e., is it easier for them to let me go?

How Do I Fend Off an Exasperating Job Candidate?

Stanley Bing — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 02:11:11 +0000

Dear Stanley, A new job just opened up in my department and I’ve been given the task of interviewing candidates for the position. The issue is this: there’s a woman who used to work here. She left maybe five years ago to open her own operation, and it didn’t do very well. Now she’s [...]

How Do I Hide a Job Interview From My Evil Boss?

Stanley Bing — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 17:13:38 +0000

Dear Stanley, I work in consulting and my boss is well known in the industry but working for him is like working for Vader. I’ve been looking around and found a good position in another firm where my college buddy works. The catch is that the prospective employer used to work with Mr. Vader [...]

Do Employees Disrespect a Funny Boss?

Stanley Bing — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 13:27:34 +0000

Dear Stanley, As a boss with a sense of humor, do you find that making people laugh in the office can make it harder to get them to do what needs to be done? The progressive approach to leadership would seem to be: Be firm but friendly, putting employees at ease with a laugh [...]

Passive Aggressive Boss -- or Sexist Jerk?

Stanley Bing — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 22:22:15 +0000

Dear Stanley, My boss is uber passive aggressive. One day he’s nice as can be, the next he completely ignores me and yells at the slightest mistake. Every day is dependent on his mood. Most days he praises his other employee while completely ignoring me. If he does speak, it’s to tell me I’ve [...]

My Crazy Boss Insults Everybody

Stanley Bing — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 13:06:20 +0000

Is a psycho boss making you and everyone else in your workplace nuts? Here's one of the most important things you can do to ensure a lifetime of happiness in whatever dysfunctional workplace you may happen to inhabit.