Dear J.T. and Dale: For the past two years, I’ve been working 60 hours a week to impress my boss. He’s been great, and each year I’ve gotten a 10 percent raise — until this year. I just started a family and want to spend as much time as I can with my newborn son. So I’ve been working around 45 hours a week instead of 60. I just had a performance review, and I got all average marks and only a 4 percent increase. I am really angry at my boss. I think I am within my right to work a normal week and not get penalized for it. What should I do? — Greg Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. and Dale: I was recently at a bar and ran into my (married) boss with another woman. It was clear they were more than just friends. The following week, my boss started being extra nice, getting me a special assignment, and pulling me aside to tell me he was requesting a salary increase for me. I’m no fool — it’s obvious why he’s doing this. I don’t care about his personal life. I’m more worried about him going the other direction and trying to get me fired. Suggestions? — Drake Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. and Dale: My boss is a complete germ-a-phobe. She buys hand sanitizer for all our desks, shamelessly reminds people to wash their hands and even sent a person out of the room for sneezing in a meeting. She is now badgering us all to get flu shots. She asks everyone each day if they got theirs. I don’t want to get one. Should I lie, or should I tell the truth and deal with her nasty behavior? I honestly believe she would treat me differently if I told her I wasn’t going to get one. — Meg Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: At my last job as an assistant manager at a hair salon, the owner asked me to sign a non-compete clause. I applied for a manager position at another salon and was selected. When I told the owner about it, she threatened to sue both me and the person hiring me, so I told her I would not go. A week later, the owner told me she “accepted my resignation,” although I’d made it clear to her that I was not leaving. She said she was doing me a favor by letting me resign, rather than be fired. — Samantha Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I hate, hate, hate my job and the owners and the managers who run the restaurant I work at. I’m about to take a 10-day vacation. I don’t want to go back. Is it really a bad move to not give any notice and just never return, no call and no-show? — Sheryl Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: Four years into my career, I finally figured out what I want: a career in marketing. What I am now doing is completely different, so do I try to make the transition within my company, or start fresh elsewhere? My boss wants me to take over his position in a few years, which is not what I want. I don’t feel comfortable approaching him about changing careers. So a new company seems like the better option. — Roland Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: My company just announced a “no Facebook” policy. It states that anyone found on Facebook during work hours will be terminated. Can they do this? I don’t know if accessing it via cell phone counts, and I’m afraid to ask for fear they’ll add it to the policy. What should I do? — Kayla Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: Ten years ago, my husband joined a start-up engineering firm. The company grew, and he’s now a VP with a department of 25 employees. He and the CEO have frequently clashed. Things came to a head when they got into a rather heated discussion and the CEO claimed nobody likes working with my husband and that he’s not a good communicator. Although he still works there, my husband has been job-hunting for the past two months. He’s been applying to job postings, but with no success. Advice? — Robin Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: Six months ago I was hired as the receptionist for a small manufacturing company run by the owner and his two sons. Even though each of the sons has his own assistant, over time I have accrued many additional duties outside being receptionist. As a result, I must leave my desk periodically. The owner has started calling me out for not answering the phone. I rarely take lunch, work late every night, and I’m so stressed out that I cry every day. Please tell me what to do. — Danya Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I had my annual performance review and was surprised, shocked and floored by this comment: “It is imperative special attention is put on the way some messages are delivered and how it comes across. The tone can sound demanding and harsh.” When I asked for an explanation, my manager stated, “You know what this is about,” and he refused to discuss it. I have not received any reprimands or warnings. Nothing. — Angelo Read the rest of this entry »