222
votes
Accepted
When working remote due to COVID-19, should we communicate in writing or using video?
I have been working remotely for the last five years. And I can say that the last week was totally different from any week before.
First of all, personally: Although I am an experienced remote worker,...
- 3,631
193
votes
Accepted
How soon do I need to tell my future employer that I won't be able to work for them?
I suggest that instead of telling them you can't take the job you tell them the problems you're facing. Ideally, you would have some proposed solutions as well.
For example, are their people all ...
- 153k
172
votes
Accepted
Can a UK employer force you to wear a face mask?
Short answer: yes.
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act, section 7, you must cooperate with your employer to protect yourself and others. See http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1974/37/section/7
...
- 14.7k
129
votes
Among the first ones to be laid off temporarily due to lack of projects. Should I ask my manager for explanation? Is it time to find another job?
Update your resume and look for another job.
No matter the reason, you've been put in the bottom 10% of employees, and deemed to be expendable.
If it's not by department, not by project, or anything ...
- 160k
123
votes
What motivates software companies to hire locally?
The disadvantages of an employee located in another country or even another continent are myriad. Some of them may be imaginary, but that doesn't stop companies considering them:
paperwork and taxes. ...
- 153k
102
votes
Accepted
My manager has scheduled a face-to-face lunch meeting. Am I out of line to refuse?
My manager has scheduled a face-to-face lunch meeting. Am I out of line to refuse?
You are not out of line to refuse given the current situation. If the purpose of the meeting is to discuss work, ...
- 79.6k
94
votes
I haven't been doing my job for weeks. I don't want to lie to my boss about it or get fired. What should I do?
You should absolutely worry. You should also get your butt in gear and get cracking on some of your deliverables. You can stall your boss, but don't ever lie to them. It's one thing to have an ...
- 23.1k
92
votes
Accepted
Are there significant additional risks in changing jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic?
I have two interviews lined up, but I'm concerned that stagnation of the economy could lead to redundancies in any organisation, and as the "new guy" I'd be the first out the door if it came to that. ...
- 110k
88
votes
Accepted
How to avoid a company survey that is not anonymous
If they are requesting a 100% participation with attributable results, then give the sorts of answers that you would give when called on in a meeting in front of management. If that means saying ...
- 34.8k
88
votes
Accepted
Employee asking for 2 weeks unpaid leave for travel quarantine
This is one of those situations where it's nigh-on impossible for everyone to "win" - as you've said effectively doubling the absence time is a big hit for you and it's not so much about it being paid ...
- 110k
87
votes
Accepted
After getting laid off, should I wait for the corona pandemic to pass before applying for a new job?
I can't see the advantage in you waiting - if you've been laid off, you presumably want to find new work as quickly as possible. As you say, company A (or any other company) may well not be ...
- 34.8k
79
votes
Accepted
New employer postponing my start date by three months due to COVID-19
My current employer asked if I'd like them to reconsider my current salary
It means your current employer values you significantly – it takes significant time to train new employees and allow them to ...
- 7,773
76
votes
Accepted
How can I assess my recession risk as a software developer?
I work for a small startup and want to figure out whether they are likely to survive this crisis. How would I conduct that analysis?
Check their product and their customers. Are they still open and ...
- 146k
69
votes
Accepted
Should I be concerned about a voluntary pay cut scheme (Due to COVID-19)?
It's never a good sign - and I think you're correct to be concerned, but it doesn't necessarily reflect particularly on your current employer. Many companies the world over are struggling or facing an ...
- 110k
65
votes
Accepted
How can I ask/negotiate to work permanently out of state in a way that both conveys urgency and preserves my option to stay if they say no?
I would have the discussion with the boss with no mention of potentially leaving. That is a given. Any time there is a negotiation or discussion involving such matters there is an implication that ...
- 224k
62
votes
Is it reasonable to ask to work from home when I feel unsafe due to the risk of catching COVID on my commute and at my work?
Snows answer is good. I just want to outline a potential risk.
You have only been there 2 weeks, so a lot may hinge on your performance in that time which isn't very long. You were aware of the ...
- 224k
58
votes
Can a UK employer force you to wear a face mask?
No, of course they can't force you to wear a face mask.
However, as the other answers have pointed out, they absolutely have a right to require this to work at their company, and if you choose not to ...
- 7,947
58
votes
Accepted
Should I notify my manager that a coworker has been taking a lot of cough drops over COVID-19 concerns?
I'm going to disagree with everyone and not give you a flat "no". I think you should do something. It's possible your co-worker has some other ailment, and perhaps they even have good reason ...
- 5,239
54
votes
How soon do I need to tell my future employer that I won't be able to work for them?
How soon should I inform this employer that I cannot begin working for
them? Is there any etiquette or legal guideline I should follow?
The proper etiquette when your situation has changed is to ...
- 387k
54
votes
Accepted
How can I guarantee that an internship offer involving international relocation won't be revoked?
No, they will not agree to that, because even they can't predict what is going to happen.
Your best course is to talk with the recruiter/hiring manager directly and try to get a feel for what is ...
- 10.2k
51
votes
After getting laid off, should I wait for the corona pandemic to pass before applying for a new job?
No, as you don’t know how long this will last.
There are estimates that predict this will last 18 months. Find a place to wait out the storm. There could easily be a stampede of applicants as jobs ...
- 47.9k
51
votes
Can a UK employer force you to wear a face mask?
Yes, they can. And it has nothing to do with COVID-19. Your employer can make you wear whatever they consider a good fit for the job. That can be a branded shirt, or a uniform, or a special hat, or ...
- 146k
47
votes
Offered 50% pay cut or redundancy due to coronavirus. What are my options?
At this time of coronavirus it's valid for a company to look at alternatives to keep afloat, reduced hours is one, redundancy is another, shutting the company completely is yet another.
It's ...
- 2,022
47
votes
Should I delay a salary increase because of the coronavirus outbreak?
I could get by for awhile on my prior salary, but it would be hard and
not sustainable long term.
Should I offer to delay the raise?
Don't do it.
If the company is willing to share the ...
- 59.3k
46
votes
Should the stipend be paid if working remotely?
By the spirit of the agreement, they cover your cost of living and flights. So you won't "make" any money or get rich, but you don't have to take on another job during that period either. At ...
- 146k
40
votes
How can we handle work-from-home requests from trainees/freshers in this coronavirus pandemic?
You should allow it, and I have two reasons.
For one, you risk that somebody will get infected, and the whole company is shut down, without having time to set up WFH.
And as a second reason, with ...
- 979
40
votes
Workplace email says Coronovirus Tracking App is mandatory for work, despite Government saying it's optional
The news this morning reported that it will be made illegal to force employees to download the app, under the privacy provisions and the Biosecurity Determination which govern the use of the app and ...
- 27.5k
40
votes
Accepted
Etiquette of wearing a mask to an interview
The mask is an additional measure on top of social distancing. Presumably, the meeting will take place in a meeting room where the social distance can be maintained.
Having partaken in an interview ...
- 19.8k
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible