Career Success

Q:  I recently started as a manager at a new company where I was surprised to learn the Employee of the Month is perceived as a big joke by most employees.  At previous companies, the award was an honor.  What happened here?  How do we change it into something employees will be proud to receive?

Q:  After working for over a year as a manager at a large company, I was unexpectedly asked to resign.  I was offered a severance package equivalent to a few months’ pay, but there’s a catch.  In order to get the big check, I must sign an agreement –several pages of single-spaced legalese- where I wave all my rights to sue the company. 

 I’m suspicious of their offer.  It makes me wonder if they know they did something illegal and are covering their back side.  Have you heard of this?

By DENNIS NISHI

A month after landing a job as an account executive at a New York public-relations firm, Michael Goon was fired. The company was vague about the reasons why, but the shock inspired the 25-year-old to reflect on how he could have been a better employee.

"I wanted to make sure that I wouldn't mess up again," says Mr. Goon.