Karla Miller

2 months ago | washingtonpost.com | Karla Miller

Reader: I’m a retail area manager for a company tied to a larger company that’s declaring bankruptcy. My colleagues and I are often expected to use our personal credit cards for business expenses — there’s no corporate card, stipend or direct billing option to ease the burden. My situation has spiraled out of control. I have been coerced into opening 13 personal credit cards to manage work-related costs and have fronted more than $70,000 in business expenses.

2 months ago | washingtonpost.com | Karla Miller

Reader: I work as a hostess for a restaurant. Although I generally enjoy my job and co-workers, the proprietor believes that he can run the establishment any way he sees fit because it’s his. For instance, shortly after a co-worker tried to get me to promise something I knew was impossible, I overheard her saying she “wanted to slap the [expletive] out of” me. She denied the comment was about me, and the proprietor told me that “company policy” required him to believe her.

2 months ago | washingtonpost.com | Karla Miller

Reader: I’ve been at my company for several years, with a good reputation and a few promotions. Last year, after my team supervisor resigned, I filled that role for a few months until we hired someone. The new supervisor is personable, and their expertise is filling a much-needed gap. It seemed to be going well at first. But now, something is off — we don’t seem to be on the same page, our work styles are very different and both of us are clearly frustrated.

Mar 3, 2025 | washingtonpost.com | Karla Miller

If you were to ask whether employers should offer people of all backgrounds equal opportunity to prove their worth at work, most respondents would probably say yes. But when you ask if they’re in favor of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, the idea is often seen as shorthand for “unqualified people getting unfair advantages because of their minority status.”So let’s look at a group that everyone would agree is entitled to some privileges: Veterans and military families.

Feb 24, 2025 | washingtonpost.com | Karla Miller

Reader: Are people who were hired under military preference or military spouse preference considered DEI hires? I’m the spouse of a Navy retiree. I became a federal civilian early in his career and was hired under the military spouse program. I know a lot of people who were hired because they were veterans. I’m hoping they will not be impacted by the current administration’s actions.