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 have been working for a private sector company since September 2014. At the beginning, I was really busy and very motivated. However in January my company employed someone who is less qualified to do the same job.
The workload is only sufficient for one person, so I am only busy about 20% of the time. There are days, like today, when I don’t have anything on. I have spoken to my manager and highlighted the situation, yet to no avail. The response I got was: “There is nothing we can do to raise your workload.”
I have done online courses during work time. I am a writer and teacher, so I have written novels and developed teaching materials for a student I tutor from home, but this doesn’t fulfil me and of course I shouldn’t be doing these things at work. In short, I feel guilty and bored.
I have applied for other jobs and have interviews lined up. However, this was a job that I once really loved and I don’t want to leave as I like some of the people and the environment. It’s also hard to leave a permanent job for a new, less secure position.
Furthermore, I have to confess that I have begun to dislike the person now doing what was originally my job. It’s not her character and I can be nice to her face. But I feel angry when she makes mistakes and proves herself less qualified.
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.
