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 know a colleague has used £50-worth of services, paid for by our employer, for their own personal use. I believe (but am not entirely sure) that my boss is unaware. Do I tell my boss? I have an excellent relationship with him, but a strained relationship with the employee, and I worry this might be making me biased about whether or not to drop them in it.
Our organisation is not-for-profit and the money was spent benefiting the business of the employee’s spouse. The loss will probably be swallowed up in general overheads; however, if our boss becomes aware, which is a possibility if he queries the invoice, he may ask me about it.
I think staff at our organisation are treated fairly. The employee, however, feels unsupported and sidelined, and has justified their actions by saying they have done unpaid overtime – but it was only unpaid as they did not submit a timesheet.
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.
