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10:01
1
Q: Frequently changing responsibilities

VishwamithraI am working in a software product development company. I am leading small team of 6 to 8. As it is a product development, generally we work on some modules and we are good in those modules. My manager is changing the module responsibilities like one week I have to lead and another week somebo...

cvpls
@JaneS What was that in reference to if you don't mind me asking?
10:23
@Lilienthal Just a rather controversial thread that was a bit... challenging to moderate. They always become rather spirited :)
The workplace excels at those I think.
@Lilienthal That it does! We tend to navigate around most of them okay :)
Have a look here and maybe you'll find yourself grateful that you at least don't have to moderate 800+ unstructured comments. :)
@Lilienthal LOL, yes :)
Linking it properly for the rest of chat since it's one of the more hilarious workplace stories I've read in a while: my new company wants me to change my name
10:34
Oh. My. God. This was real???
Oh yes.
I'd say that blog gets more WTF questions than the Workplace does.
Its userbase has been asking for a WTF-Wednesday tag for a while now since those kinds of stories often end up getting posted then for whatever reason.
While they have a Q&A format, they actively encourage comments whereas we tend to use comments for another purpose.
Indeed, it's a blog after all.
Yes :)
It's just one person answering based from her experience.
Incidentally, I often end up poaching from it when answering questions here.
10:42
I hope you reference anything you've used! :)
I'm tempted to quote her as the Voice of Reason sometimes but that kind of deification might offend some people. :)
Of course.
LOL!
In case you want more ludicrous stories (and have a few hours to kill): askamanager.org/search-results?q=wtf%20wednesday
Alas, I don't at the moment but I am bookmarking the site :)
I had better go get a couple of things done before bed. Time zones! :)
Huh, that broke the URL.
Only 7 out of 29 links to that site are from my answers :)
10:48
Well there you go! :)
11:17
It's kind of sad that I've learned to identify an SE user before even looking at his name by the bitter, sarcastic and usually unhelpful comments he leaves across Hot Network Questions...
 
2 hours later…
12:59
-5
A: How can I explain a religious conflict with potential employees of the opposite sex

userThank you, people who provided helpful answers. I had a talk with my new boss, and we did not hire anyone for now. My boss will let me work from home on work days when female customers come in to the work place.

From Omar's post history: I had a talk with my new boss, and after discussing it with him, he agreed that to we did not hire a female right anyone for now would be too big of a hassle, and he hired a man of equal or better skill. Disgusting. Bronze age ideals in a first world country. Good to see the "good ol' boys clubs" aren't all gone in the workplace. </sarcasm> Guess he's not so proud anymore, as he's changed his username and edited his offensive self-answer. — Dogbert 25 mins ago
Seems like "educating" that user didn't really work.
This kind of makes me want to track that company down just to report them for gender discrimination. It's kind of sad that his manager apparently condones that sort of behaviour.
13:22
@Lilienthal in a few weeks, "company in trouble for blatant sexual discrimination, how to handle"
One can hope @enderland, one can hope. :)
I'm kind of surprised someone upvoted his self answer, actually
Puppet accounts maybe? :V
Frankly, I'm simultaneously longing for and dreading reaching 10K rep here. I'm already disgusted by some of the vote breakdowns I see, I can only imagine what manner of filth I'll be subjected to when I can see deleted posts and comments. :)
14:21
Hi Vishaws, you have asked this question here before. If you have new information to add to it (it seems the question is the same) please edit the original question to clarify instead of asking new questions, thanks! — enderland ♦ 26 secs ago
@enderland
You already asked this question here. — Lilienthal 6 hours ago
14:36
@Lilienthal It makes me wonder if this was ever real at all, or just trolling.
@JoeStrazzere yeah, I'm not sure what to make of this mess...
@JimG. it's interesting to me everyone is assuming that the OP is muslim, I don't think he's ever clarified
15:00
Who? Omar Saiid?
@AaronHall yeah
Omar, Omer, Ömer, or Umar (Arabic: عمر‎, Hebrew: עומר‎), is a male given name of Arabic and Hebrew origin, mentioned in the Book of Genesis. It is a common name in Arab and Muslim territories and populations in general, as well as in Spanish-speaking countries. In Arabic, its pronunciation differs based on the spoken varieties of Arabic and consequently in its transcription. The name is particularly popular as a male given name among Sunnis. == Given nameEdit == === OmarEdit === Omar ibn al-Khattab, Islamic caliph Omar Bai Chongxi, Chinese Muslim general and former defense minister of t...
No immediate hits on "Saiid surname" but variations appear to be Arabic.
It's funny how a name can shape how people handle you.
@AaronHall yeah. no kidding
might be a given name:
Sa‘id (also spelled Saeed, Saeid, Said, or Sayid, Arabic: سعيد‎, Sa‘īd) is a male Arabic given name meaning "happy". For the female version, see Saida (name); for the Turkish variant, see Sait. The Maltese surname Said, pronounced [saɪt], has the same origin but has been borne by Latin Catholics for over seven centuries. Most Maltese surnames are of Italian origin, but this (with Abdilla) is one of the very few authentically Arabic given names that have survived in the islands as family names. It is a variant of the medieval Sicilian Christian surname Saido, Saito (Saidu) which was derived from...
Also, the OP had quoted a Bible verse on a (now deleted) comment, too, which might be what his perspective is based on (not sure)
15:15
I've met some really conservative Jews here in NYC. I would not be surprised to hear them express that sort of viewpoint. I haven't met a Christian in NYC that I think would state that, though.
I am sure there are some breakoff sects of Christianity that would, but... not even remotely mainstream at all
@enderland I think it's a safe assumption considering the etymology of his name, his migrant status and the limited geographic spread of other religions/sects that would otherwise be prime candidates.
Plus the fact that at the end of the day it doesn't even matter for the question.
Yeah, they certainly wouldn't be living in NYC where, unless you are exceedingly fortunate in your abilities and career decisions or willing to live in near poverty, both husband and wife have to work.
@JoeStrazzere I was hoping it was a troll but those don't usually show up again after leaving a controversial post.
@AaronHall midwest FTW. :)
15:27
Anyone else's comments have been downvotead? (No big surprise there) — Trickylastname 3 mins ago
@Trickylastname Did you mean answers? Comments can't be downvoted after all.
(You're still within the comment edit limit by the way)
/ Heading home /
@Lilienthal yeah, it doesn't matter, but it is interesting since it immediately shows people's assumptions about the asker - that, someone wanting such "no women at all" is associated with Islam
I would say that the name Omar is immediately associated with Islam regardless of the OP's views on gender equality.
His name is much more likely to be a factor imo.
In your professional opinions, which religion seems the most willing to say the most outrageous things?
Are you troll-baiting now @AaronHall ? :)
To quote Billy Connolly: "they should all be fucked and burned in my opinion" :)
(Signing off for real now)
Is that a religious icon issuing an edict?
Oh, he's an actor, so yes.
Who is holier, Matt Damon or Ben Affleck?
15:33
@Lilienthal I was downvoted and when I clicked to see where, it sent me to the comment I posted... I don't really care, but I thought comments couldn't be downvoted... maybe was it flagged?
@AaronHall a Jew wouldn't cite christian scriptures, though. This poster is probably either super-fundie christian or some sort of muslim.
@Trickylastname comments can't be downvoted (and upvoting them gives no rep, either)
Conceivable, given that Christians do exist in the Arabic world.
But they're a persecuted minority without very good education options, so fluent in English and educated enough to get a visa here? I think it unlikely.
@Lilienthal you won't be able to see deleted comments, just posts. Trust me; of the two you'd rather see deleted posts. :-)
I think I'm more of a Matt Damon-ist
15:38
We know nothing about OP's education. Maybe he had access to a privileged education and could apply and get a visa. I could see it happen.
I suppose I should declare a religious war on Affleckites in that case...
I think we know an awful lot about the OP's education. Put on your deerstalker and pull out a magnifying glass.
Or my (nonexistent) Belstaff coat
16:01
hey cool, broke 50k rep today!
@enderland wow, congrats!
@MonicaCellio at this rate I'll catch Joe.. never!
but I am only 6k behind beth now
@enderland it's good to have goals. :-)
Joe posts way more than I do, I can never keep up, he must repcap every day or something
He got Legendary already and while I'm perhaps the next closest I'm still... 63 repcap days away, lol
I'd actually be close to some gold tag badges if I had more answers, I'm over the 1k upvotes in some where I don't even have a silver badge!
@enderland enderland : Joe :: Monica : enderland. :-)
@enderland I know that feeling, but down a level (way over the score threshold for silver but don't even have bronze).
16:12
@MonicaCellio I have a few like that, too, my "united states" is almost 500 but only 17 answers...
16:44
Hi Mike, I made an edit to this to make it more generic and more easily answerable in a general sense. It was picking up some close votes and hopefully this makes it more on topic here. No one can know in your specific case why (except their HR) but there are definitely some good and more common reasons for this. — enderland ♦ 1 min ago
I think that question is totally on topic and answerable but it has a few close votes
17:40
@MonicaCellio Good to know, cheers.
@enderland It's gotten very useful answers but I think you'd have to butcher the question to make it on-topic and searchable. Not that I mind that, but the OP could object.
Congrats on the 50K by the way.
0
Q: Interview Preparation

guestguy12Is it in general best not to "over-prepare" for a job interview? Given a choice between sufficient sleep and preparing (e.g. for a technical interview), what are some general recommendations?

Maybe I should just create a reference question to direct all these different prep questions to, because there doesn't seem to be one.
"I've been invited to an interview, what should I do to prepare?"
Or better yet: "How should I prepare for an interview?"
17:57
@AaronHall But now the thing is, the point on which I had resigned is solved, and am given future assurance that it will never happen again. Plus they are matching the amount of the new employer - claiming very confidently that the level of work done at that place is beneath us. I talked to 3 of my colleagues (and good friends), all of them say stay here. It would be foolish to leave for a new job without any raise.
And its not US, its India.
Well if your mind is made up, give the other firm as much notice as possible that you are unable to work with them. Take careful note of the hiring manager you are flaking out on, and hope he/she doesn't remember you in the future.
@user1502 You know your own situation, company and prospects best. All we can say is that accepting a counter offer is generally a very, very bad idea, for a number of reasons.
India's job market is also all sorts of broken, as I understand it
A month ago I never anticipated they would even ask me to stay, I was so convinced of leaving. But now its the exact opposite.
Yeah, and get it in writing.
18:01
24
Q: When does accepting a counteroffer make sense?

AdelI just read through a few career articles, all saying that once you apply elsewhere it's better to stick to it. And that in general, accepting a counteroffer is a bad idea (over 80% of those who do, end up out within 9 months anyway). But what are the exceptions to this? On this article titled ...

Like an irrevocable contract.
Worth reading if you haven't already.
yes, had read that the first day :)
That misuses the term "Counteroffer."
Yep, its just an offer, if I refuse this one, then it would be a counter offer if any.
18:02
"an offer made in response to another."
Does it?
I think my company probably would nearly never give a counteroffer to someone in a situation like this
are you from india @enderland?
no :P
Just making a random observation :)
@enderland and I are the resident experts on Indian culture
18:04
or so I've determined from chat anyhow :)
You seem to know a lot about India :P
so maybe self-titled experts
I have worked a lot with people in India
And am generally interested in people/culture
that's great
To me, the "Western vs India" culture gap in companies is really fascinating
workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/55211/… @enderland thanks for the edit earlier enderland. been away from the computer and the popular question algorithm strikes again :P i noticed now there were some things i wasn't clear/detailed enough on so i went back and added them.
@AaronHall Half the internet seems to be using the term though so I'm not sure who is misusing it....
I also find it funny when people in India talk about their raises vs Americans, like "only 8% raise this year :(" and all the Americans freak out saying "wow that is really good!"- not realizing that inflation in India is way higher
@MikeFoxtrot no problem, I think it's still a bit borderline on topic but I think it's good (I answered it, after all :P)
What I can tell the other firm is - I have some new responsibilities on this project that I need to finish, cannot betray and leave in between, so I won't be able to join in near future. How does it sound?
I think in this case there are enough general ideas that are the same regardless of company/etc and so it's answerable
18:06
"an offer made in response to another" + "between two parties" - fixed
are you suggesting I make them(current employer) an offer?
@user1502 I'm done suggesting anything further on the matter to you.
wow, this is horrible
cotton production in Uzbekistan is important to the national economy of the country. It is Uzbekistan's main cash crop, accounting for 17% of its exports in 2006. With annual cotton production of about 1 million ton of fiber (4%-5% of world production) and exports of 700,000-800,000 tons (10% of world exports), Uzbekistan is the 6th largest producer and the 2nd largest exporter of cotton in the world. Cotton's nickname in Uzbekistan is "white gold" (oq oltin). The industry is state-controlled on a national level. Over one million public servants, employees of private businesses and children are...
> Because cotton is so crucial to the national economy, forced child labour in cotton production is a problem in Uzbekistan, and the Uzbekistani government have long employed children as young as 9 in the industry.
> From a very young age, children are reared to look forward to harvest time, known as "pahta" and to enjoy harvesting the cotton as an "opportunity for them to contribute to their nation's prosperity". Many farmers are forced to produce cotton but the state reap the profits for exporting itIf government workers and professionals refuse to work they can be penalised with a lower income and the child workers can be beaten.
imagine the questions we'd get if any of these poor people found there way here :(
18:13
seems like a situation for which I have to choose a path myself.
"You Are Old, Father William" is a poem by Lewis Carroll that appears in his book Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (1865). It is recited by Alice in Chapter 5, "Advice from a Caterpillar" (Chapter 3 in the original manuscript, Alice's Adventures Under Ground). Alice informs the caterpillar that she has previously tried to repeat "How Doth the Little Busy Bee" and has had it all come wrong as "How Doth the Little Crocodile". The caterpillar asks her to repeat "You are old, Father William", and she recites. == Text == == Provenance == Like most poems in Alice, the poem is a parody of a poem then...
thanks for you inputs, @AaronHall and @Lilienthal you guys are awesome!
You're welcome @user1502, as you say you're best placed to decide what path you want to take in your career, we can't make your choices for you after all.
I wonder if I'd get more or less upvotes if I used my degree after my name on SE sites.
18:28
@AaronHall probably less, and more downvotes :)
What about on Money SE?
I use my degree on Linkedin.
Aaron Hall, MBA
oh, maybe? idk, the Internet is not the most accepting of people flaunting titles ;)
I used to be in an industry that used degrees and certifications everywhere. I suppose the reason is to establish credibility, since a high school dropout could be licensed in insurance and investments.
everyone's an expert on the internet though! :P
2
My first boss at my current firm didn't even graduate college. He was an SQL wizard.
18:33
Wasn't it 50% of people on SO or something that didn't have tertiary education from some survey?
But of course, degrees are a questionable signal in tech too.
I wonder if I would have had an easier time if I had simply been anonymous.
stackoverflow.com/research/developer-survey-2015 "48% of respondents never received a degree in computer science. 33% of respondents never took a computer science university course. System administrators are most likely to be self-taught (52%). Enterprise level services developers are most likely to have an industry certification (13%). Machine learning developers and data scientists are 10 times more likely than any other developer type to have a PhD (15%)."
But I really don't know how to be anonymous.
I used to post in forums anonymously, actually, in financial services.
I used an aspirational handle.
1
Q: How professional/ethical is it to verbally accept a job but want to interview and work elsewhere?

raining hailI have been offered a job at a company I interviewed with today. They want me to start next week. As I am on unemployment, I have no right to decline the job because of the conditions of unemployment benefit. If I did not accept then I lose the benefits and if I attempted to hide the offer it w...

This seems like a good question but could probably use an edit to trim the fat. I thought it would be a duplicate but I've only found related questions, no real matches.
Here's a strategy for getting into financial advising: wealthmanagement.com/forums/rookies-trainees/…
ACAT is an asset transfer system whereby one can move stocks and bonds (and other investments) from one firm directly to another.
An SMA is a Separately Managed Account, it's like a mutual fund except you own the underlying investments directly and can have better control of buying and selling for tax purposes.
With Mutual Funds, you can easily have a down year and still owe taxes.
19:01
TMI?
19:18
There tended to be a lot of harsh words on those forums: "Thanks for making my point. The other firms wouldn't talk to you because you are a loser and only losers would sign on at WR. You're not here for the truth. You're here for information that will support your stupid mistake."
WR is Waddell and Reed.
Anti-confirmation bias was a big deal on those forums.
BUT IM RIGHT PLZ CONFIRM IT
wow. someone sent me a really touching random email thanking me for being awesome (basically)
> Thanks for the brilliant suggestion! I am inspired by your drive to find more efficient processes and make small changes for an overall better experience. I’ve noticed it in your Yammer posts and comments, and I am excited to watch where your spirit of innovation will take you in the company. [company] is very lucky to have you; keep up the great work!
Yammer?
basically Microsofts business version of Facebook
19:41
I never thought I'd see the day where people take their frustration with their own country's bullshit legal system out on my post, but apparently that's today:
yeesh! I take it you"ve never seen how job seeker's allowance works in the UK. the unemployment office will set you up on a job they feel you are capable of (which may be nothing to do with your experience or interests), you need to attend, try and get the job and accept if offered, no matter how low the salary/rate is or you are cut off from benefits. I was in a similar position when made redundant by a bank at the height of the downturn. I had to sign off to avoid being forced into becoming a management trainee at a carpet retailer at 25% of what I earned previously.Downvoted — The Wandering Dev Manager 50 mins ago
@Lilienthal sometimes people surprise you ;)
Well at least it's not surprising that it came from WanderingDev
I've been pretty surprised how popular this answer was on meta too, speaking of being surprised - meta.workplace.stackexchange.com/a/3337/2322
I wrote it with quite a bit of frustration that I thought was going to be obvious (and pick up flak)
@Trickylastname did you downvote an answer there? that costs 1 rep :)
Ah, problem solved then. Thanks! =D
Also don't let that 1 rep for downvoting discourage you from downvoting bad answers... :D
Nah, it would take a lot more to discourage me XDDD
I wonder what percentage of my downvotes are on answers, and not questions
 
2 hours later…
Air
Air
22:28
I don't have an expletive sufficient to express how I feel about the utter inability of the State of California's various HR growths to do their jobs correctly.
Rant, rant, rant. Thank god I have an interview tomorrow, but I really don't want to take a job for no other reason than needing to leave this one. I hope the interview is exciting.

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