Dear Dr. Mimi- New and Naive

Dear Dr. Mimi:
I am starting a new job in a new city and would like to get to know my co-workers better. Are there any questions that I can use as conversation starters that would not be considered too personal?
—New and Naïve

Dear N and N:
It is good that you want to build a relationship with your new co-workers. To avoid getting too personal, ask work-related questions, like what attracted you to work here? Tell me more about what you do here? What was your first job? What led you to this career? What energizes you at work? As much as it is important to ask the correct questions, it is even more important to listen to their answers.
—Dr. Mimi


  • Dear Dr. Mimi – Backup

    Dear Dr. Mimi,My boss favors another employee and schedules them for more shifts. We are on the same skill level and have had the same training, but I am being treated like a “backup” for them. I am afraid to bring this up to my manager for fear that they will reprimand or even fire…


  • Dear Dr. Mimi – Overworked Student

    Dear Dr. Mimi,I am a working college student, and my company is supposed to be accommodating to students’ schedules. However, my boss keeps asking me to come into work at times she knows that I have classes or study groups. I have tried to make this issue known to her, but she keeps dismissing me.…


  • Dear Dr. Mimi — Frustrated

    Dear Dr. Mimi,I trained a new employee about a month ago, but they still don’t seem to be getting it. They mess up almost every task I give them. What can I do to fix this? Should I just fire them?—Frustrated Dear Frustrated,It can be tricky working with new employees. If you think they are…