At the start of each week, we publish the problems that will feature in this Saturday's Dear Jeremy advice column in the Guardian Work supplement, so readers can offer their own advice and suggestions. We then print the best of your comments alongside Jeremy's own insights. Here are this week's dilemmas – what are your thoughts?
Problem one: Our boss hired a relative who has poisoned the atmosphere
We are a group of four colleagues who are desperately unhappy in our employment. Our office used to be a friendly and relaxed place to work, until our boss decided to employ her sister-in-law in an admin role. After just three months the sister-in-law was promoted to office manager – a role that had previously not existed – and has since done everything in her power to force us out of our jobs.
Having been a mother and housewife for the past 16 years, our new office manager seems ill-equipped for the role. She has no formal qualifications and no idea how to speak to people properly. She is threatening and aggressive if any of us offer an opinion that differs to hers – even when discussing issues that are not work-related – and is very manipulative.
In a recent meeting, two of us were told we may face redundancy. However, the following day our boss assured us this was not the case. Our office manager has now forced us to fill in time sheets so she can monitor how much work we do, and always brings up the subject of redundancy if she thinks we are not working hard enough, or if she hears us chatting. She has also brought in a dress code, but changes her mind on what is acceptable in an attempt to catch us out. She is now issuing verbal warnings to those who do not wear the correct attire.
We believe these tactics are simply a form of control, but how are you supposed to deal with a situation that is impossible? We cannot report her behaviour to our boss because of the family connection, but we can't go on like this.
Problem two: Am I overqualified for a photography job?
I have had a semi-successful career as a photographer for the past 12 years – I have travelled the world, photographed some amazing places and people, and been published in magazines and shown in galleries. I'm pretty good at what I do – not amazing, but certainly better than many.
However, the past three or four years have been very tough. At one point I had to move back in with my parents as I didn't have enough work to pay my rent. Things are still hard and I am relying on benefits to get by. I am in my late 30s and this is not how I thought my career would turn out.
I have been applying for full-time positions in the photographic industry, working at agencies, galleries, studios etc, but I haven't had any luck. I have now failed to get about 100 jobs, but I think my CV is strong – perhaps I look overqualified?
What are your thoughts?
• For Jeremy's and readers' advice on a work issue, send a brief email to dear.jeremy@guardian.co.uk. Please note that he is unable to answer questions of a legal nature or reply personally
