Twice a week we publish problems that will feature in a forthcoming Dear Jeremy advice column in the Saturday Guardian so that readers can offer their own advice and suggestions. We then print the best of your comments alongside Jeremy’s own insights. Here is the latest dilemma – what are your thoughts?
At my last appraisal my boss commented that I “always seem to leave work on time”. We have defined start and end times to our working days. He said he would “expect a senior member of staff such as myself to work additional hours”.
In fact, I do start work early and have worked extra hours when projects have required it, for example, to fix a problem or meet an urgent deadline. However, mostly I expect to be able to do my work within my working hours – the hours I am clearly and contractually paid to do.
I don’t want to get trapped in what appears to be the macho culture of who can stay latest, particularly as my home life is important too. Are my values reasonable and how else can I appear committed to my boss? In short, do I have to work late to look good?
Do you need advice on a work issue? For Jeremy’s and readers’ help, send a brief email to dear.jeremy@theguardian.com. Please note that he is unable to answer questions of a legal nature or to reply personally.
