DEAR ABBY: I am experiencing significant anxiety over losing another co-worker. I am happy for her, but I’m also sad because all her responsibilities will again be dumped on me.
Our department consists of three employees. I’m the lowest-paid administrative assistant in the office and division. Our department is required by federal law to be trained on several software applications to support our students. However, our director refuses to complete her training, which means she has lost all access to the applications.
Her main concern is doing things she was not hired to do, such as homecoming, promoting Greek life to get students to pledge, etc. I am tempted to quit because I can’t handle doing my job as well as someone else’s. Unfortunately, I can’t do that because of bills and student loan debt. On top of this, I am trying to deal with the death of my favorite uncle.
I am not myself right now, nor am I in the mood to train someone new who will be earning more than me again. What advice can you give? — ANXIOUS IN THE EAST
DEAR ANXIOUS: The time to talk to your employer about a raise is NOW. That you have been forced to assume the workload of two employees and be paid less than the one who has left is unfair. It shouldn’t happen again. Your employer needs you and likely can’t afford to lose you. However, if your request is refused, be smart. Start searching out other job opportunities that may pay better. (This may have been what led to your former co-worker leaving.)
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Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
