Karla Miller

2 months ago | washingtonpost.com | Karla Miller

Reader: I’m a site manager for a health-care company. One of my direct reports gives gifts no one asks for and dabbles in messy office drama. She has bought chrysanthemums for the fall, beverage cups filled with candy and socks for Valentine’s Day, and a candle and decorative initial letter for my desk on one random occasion. Whenever a male driver makes a delivery or pickupat our office — which is staffed entirely by women — this employee ensures she’s the only one to interact with him.

2 months ago | washingtonpost.com | Karla Miller

Work Advice: With age comes experience — and discrimination (washingtonpost.com) Work Advice: With age comes experience — and discrimination By Karla L. Miller 2025033111000000 Reader 1: I'm applying for jobs adjacent to, but not directly related to, my current field. I do have relevant experience, but it's (mumble mumble) years old. Is it okay to put it on my résumé, even though I am told not to go back too far?

Mar 24, 2025 | 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.

Mar 17, 2025 | 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.

Mar 10, 2025 | 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.