Apologizing by email

What is your strategy for apologizing by email?
Your Rant: I screwed up with a co-worker who works in an office in another state. I prefer to apologize to someone face-to-face, but I very seldom get to see this guy. What can I do?
911 Repair,
Your email reminded me of “Teen Buzz,” an invention that was created [...]

How to handle a bully at work

Stopping a feud with a co-worker

How would you end a feud with a co-worker? 
Your Rant: I’ve had a long standing feud with a co-worker. I’m starting to think that it might be time to end it, but I don’t even know where to start. TRUCE
911 Repair:
Your e-mail reminded me of the 22-year-old man who robbed a Vancouver, Wash., Chevron [...]

Job-level feuds. Conflict between bosses and employees

What’s your strategy for class division in the office? 
Your Rant: The “working-class” vs. the “no-class” bosses. I’m tired of all the differences at work. Does anyone else see this? 
DEAR READERS: I recently wrote a column on men and women and the “battle of the sexes” at work. I received a ton of e-mail on the [...]

How to offer criticism at work

DEAR WW: I would like to make suggestions on how to improve things at work, but I don’t want to get the reputation as a troublemaker or whiner. Is there a way to offer criticism and not look like a jerk? CRITICAL THINKER
DEAR CRITICAL:
Your e-mail reminded me of a guy who stole a fire department [...]

How to evaluate a solution

Dear WW: I’m not making much headway on solving a bunch of problems that I’m facing at work. Any suggestions? SOLUTIONLESS
Dear SOLUTIONLESS,
Your email reminded me of Derek Pierson. He’s not a best-selling author, consultant or former corporate executive. He’s just a guy who was trying to rob a convenience store in Shreveport, LA. and was [...]

How to give a successful apology at work

Dear WW: I made a mistake that caused a lot of extra work and problems for one of my colleagues. I’m embarrassed to admit it, and nervous of the consequences, but I can’t keep avoiding this woman: we’re in the same workgroup. I don’t know what to do. EGG ALL OVER MY FACE
Dear Egg,
You know [...]

Coworker combat

What is your strategy for dealing with a coworker with whom you disagree? 
Your Rant: I have a coworker with whom I frequently disagree. We disagree on how to approach projects, how to deal with customers, etc. I have to work with him, what can I do?
911 Repair,
Two Mexican farmers from Jalisco learned the hard [...]

Getting past a conflict

What is your strategy when facing a conflict at work? 
Your Rant: I’ve had a long simmering conflict with a coworker. I’m not sure how I should proceed. Can you outline some options?
911 Repair,
Recently I read about two Arizona nursing home residents who got in a fist fight. Luckily neither was hurt and after they were [...]

Sufficated by conflict and fights at work

What’s your strategy for conflict at the office! 
Your Rant: I’ve been battling with a coworker for a long time. I’d like to end the conflict once and for all. Can you tell me how?
911 Repair,
Your email reminded me of a conflict of biblical proportions that I recently heard about. At the New Salem Missionary Baptist [...]