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 recently started work in a very small office – there are only five of us working for a sole director. I was keen to work in a smaller company after years in the financial sector.
The problem is regarding the boss’s attitude to his staff. In my first week I learned that the longest-serving member had only been there for 14 months. Nine people had left (or started and left) during the past year, and three of the remaining staff had been reduced to tears.
We all start on a six-month probation period, during which we can be let go on one week’s notice, there is no pension and no sick pay. I should have checked the terms and conditions more carefully before I started, but I was unemployed and worried about being out of a job for a length of time, given my age (54).
It’s clear that I can’t remain for the longer term, but everything has come to a head this week when a member of staff I felt particularly close to was sacked. I’m torn between handing in my notice, too, and listing bullying as a factor, or staying put until I can find somewhere else to move to. I don’t feel remotely motivated to work at this company, but am worried about how it would look to recruiters and future employers if I left after a month.
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.
