Q. I have a co-worker who hates to do any work. I continually have to cover for her. Now, to make things worse–and it does–she’s having an affair with the boss. He thinks no one knows. They’re both single so they’re allowed to do whatever they want, but the aggravating part is she uses her insider’s connection to her advantage and brags about her special “friendship” with the boss. It’s demoralizing to work under such conditions. I’d like to turn them both in to the higher-ups. May I? Can I? Just this once?
A. No, no and no. I assure you the higher-ups already know but obviously don’t care about the effect on the rest of the staff. Don’t let her bragging get to you. Instead, treat her with the utmost courtesy and professionalism. And stop covering for her–in the long run, her poor performance will hasten her exit despite her relationship with the boss. Trust me.
Q. I’ve enrolled in a communications course. But I will have to leave before 5 p.m., the time my workday officially ends, in order to make the class. I don’t want to say I’m taking the class because it’s not related to my job, and the company will know I’m planning to leave. I hate to fib but I can’t afford to lose my job.
A. You don’t have to fib, but you do have to change courses. Most courses that cater to working people are held in the evening or weekends; find one of those instead. You need a communications course that fits in with your work schedule–and there are plenty of them.
You might also consider checking out accredited on-line Internet courses. Then your hours would be completely flexible.
Q. My employer pays a lot of money each month for health benefits. I don’t need the coverage from my employer because my husband’s coverage is more than enough. Can I decline these benefits and ask instead that this sum of money be added to my monthly income?
A. All you can do is decline the benefit, as do many workers in dual career marriages. But you won’t get the money added to your salary. I can’t imagine that any employer would ever do that. The expenditure for health care comes out of a different area of the company’s budget from payroll and you have no claim to it. But what an interesting idea.
Q. I work for a non-profit agency that advertises itself as helping people in trouble. But ever since I returned to work from being very sick and on disability leave, the executive director treats me as if I did something wrong. I’ve gotten bad performance reviews and all kinds of hassles. I’m afraid I’m about to be fired–and I really need my job and my health benefits. Have you ever heard of a non-profit agency treating an employee this way?
A. Unfortunately, I have heard of it. Being a non-profit charity doesn’t mean its largess extends to its staff. You need to talk to an employment lawyer because your days of working at your present job are limited: When the boss doesn’t want you there, you’re out. An employment lawyer can help you negotiate a proper exit with some money to make up for the insult and a letter of reference in hand. And a lawyer can tell you if you fall under the protection of the Americans with Disabilities Act–so get one right away!
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Carol Kleiman’s column also appears in Sunday and Tuesday’s Business sections. Watch her Career Coach segments Sunday and Tuesday mornings on CLTV. Send e-mail to [email protected].