1. Should I ask my staff to use sick time for doctor’s appointments?
Reader’s question:
As a new manager, I'm trying to figure out how to handle sick time. We’re a 100% remote team, and aside from our weekly meetings, I don’t require any detailed tracking of daily work. If an employee needs a few hours off for a doctor’s appointment, is it fair to ask them to use sick time, especially if they haven’t specifically logged it as such? While I know they’re making up the hours, I’m torn between flexibility and enforcing company policy.
Green’s advice:
First, assess whether the employee is meeting their work expectations. Are they completing their tasks? Are they working flexible hours to make up for the time away? If they’re on top of their work, it might be counterproductive to ask them to use sick leave for something as small as a doctor’s appointment. In many cases, showing flexibility in these situations will encourage a more positive, productive atmosphere in the long run. However, if they’re not meeting expectations, that changes things. In general, lean towards generosity, especially with something like sick leave, which should be there when someone is actually sick.
2. Can I ask colleagues to pick vegetarian-friendly restaurants on business trips?
Reader’s question:
I’m a vegetarian, and while it’s usually fine for me to eat separately if we’re at a restaurant that doesn’t cater to my dietary needs, it becomes a real issue during business trips. If everyone’s going to the same place, I don’t want to end up eating something that doesn’t work for me. Is there a way to suggest vegetarian-friendly options without seeming rude?
Green’s advice:
It’s best to do some research ahead of time. By finding a few vegetarian-friendly options in the area, you’re showing initiative and offering alternatives. When the group discusses restaurants, you can say something like, “I’m a vegetarian, and I can’t really eat there, but I found a couple of good options nearby. Would you all be open to one of these?” Try to offer options that are equally quick and affordable to the fast food alternatives people may prefer. This way, you’re not only addressing your dietary needs, but also being considerate of others' preferences.
3. What should I do when I accidentally pass along incorrect information from a co-worker?
Reader’s question:
In my role, I often get information from co-workers that I need to pass along. Occasionally, this information turns out to be wrong. For example, I might say something like “The furniture will be moved by two inches” or “There’s downtime tomorrow,” but later find out these details weren’t accurate. If I relay incorrect information, I’m often told, “You said X, but that’s not true.” How do I handle these situations, especially when I can’t fact-check the info, like with shipping dates?
Green’s advice:
First, try to shift your perspective. Rather than framing it as someone lying, think of it as a mistake. People make errors all the time—perhaps the furniture wasn’t moved, or the downtime schedule changed unexpectedly. When this happens, own the miscommunication and address it calmly. If you’re questioned about an inaccurate detail, respond with, “Jane told me that, let me follow up and see what happened,” rather than making it about accusing anyone. Also, the tone in your workplace seems a bit adversarial—approach these situations with the assumption that everyone has good intentions, and encourage others to do the same. It’s all about finding solutions, not pointing fingers.