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?
I work for a small charity doing a job I love for a cause I am passionate about. I feel this is my vocation and until recently it was one I felt I excelled at.
Around four months ago I got a promotion to director, but since then I have been struggling to cope. The role has far more responsibility than I have ever had, and as the charity is so small I have had to take on managing the whole team - which includes all the HR, recruitment, budgeting etc. I am finding it incredibly stressful and constantly feel I am doing a bad job.
I also have a very demanding boss who piles on the pressure. I work late every night and often work weekends as well just to catch up. I have tried to talk to my boss about it, but he just says I need to learn to delegate and deal with the pressure, which to an extent I do agree with, but I don’t really know how to do these things.
I don’t want to have to leave because I care about what I do so much and really believe in the cause, but it means I can’t really have a life outside of work. Should I look for something else or just try and make the best of the situation and see it as good experience?
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.
