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 full-time for a small business - an architecture practice with 10 staff including three directors. They let go of their office manager during the recession and now a freelance accountant looks after anything financial.
She comes in for a few hours every week and does not answer emails. I have been working for them for 15 months and I have not been able to join the staff pension scheme, even though it was in my contract that I could join after three months. When I ask the accountant she says she has to find out what the latest rules are. When I ask the directors they say they will ask her … but I have not heard anything.
I took the job because although it is not well-paid, it is a permanent position with (supposedly) a pension! As I am the main wage earner in the family I feel like I have to stay in this job and I don’t want to threaten to leave over something like this. I am desperate to have some security in the future, however. What should I do?
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.
