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Working With People Doesn't Equal Knowing Them
Q: I am a sales representative who meets and gets asked out by clients. Since I'm not married, I would like to go, but friends say I should not date clients. I think this is the best way to date because I already know them through work and don't …Read more.
Admirable Effort to Support Neighborhood Business
Q: I am a small business owner who depends on and am grateful for every customer I have. A small cupcake shop opened down the street, and I like to support local businesses, so on my way to get coffee, I thought I would stop in and buy a couple of …Read more.
Defending Oneself Is Always Worth the Effort
Q: A former supervisor falsely accused me of things in order to fire me, so I resigned before she had the chance. She had no proof of any of the accusations, and she did not report anything to the authorities. That was five years ago, and I have had …Read more.
Dressing Appropriately Shows More Than Style
Q: I started a new job after being unemployed for some time. While I was unemployed, I gained weight and can no longer fit in my work clothes. I can't afford to buy new things right now. I need to catch up on my bills. I did buy new jeans and a pair …Read more.
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Know All the Facts Before NegotiatingQ: I work for a small successful company. I have to drive there and back because there is no public transportation. On my way home, I drive a few miles out of the way to take the mail and packages to the nearest mailbox. My boss will not reimburse me, and the gas for the extra mileage is adding up. This is my personal car, but I think he should pay me for the extra gas it takes to do the job. A: Because the nearest mailbox is miles away from the company and from your home, it sounds as if you live in a minimally populated area, where jobs and employees are limited. Your boss probably thinks of these trips to the mailbox as small favors, but they are business-related. You are entitled to renegotiate this issue with your boss, but before you do, you need to know who has the upper hand. Chart the exact number of miles the trip takes you out of your way plus the extra time you spend. Also, call your auto insurance agent to explain the situation. See whether the fact that you use your car for these trips changes your rates. Then ask yourself whether your salary fairly compensates you for this additional task. If jobs are limited and you could be replaced easily, your boss may have the upper hand in negotiating. If good employees are hard to find in the area, then you may have the upper hand. Explain that although you like your job, the drives to the mailbox are business, not favors, and that you can't afford to keep making them. Include the information you receive from your insurance agent if the drives affect your policy and your rates.
Math Abilities Concern Insurance Job Applicant Q: I am interviewing for a job as a field agent for an insurance company specializing in supplements to the elderly. I have a diagnosed learning disability that limits my ability to do math in my head. I easily can do all the math required using a calculator. Should I tell the interviewer of this disability in the beginning interviews or if I am made an offer? A: Not to make light of your learning disability, but many adults without learning disabilities, such as dyscalculia, need calculators to solve math problems, and many can't solve math problems even with calculators in hand. In your interviews, ask whether the insurance agents are ever in situations in which they are not allowed to use calculators. If you have to complete math tests for licensing and calculators are not allowed, then you should explain your learning disability so the company and licensing body can make an accommodation for you to use one. A learning disability such as yours easily is accommodated without extra cost to the company, so relax if you need to present the information to the interviewer. The state licensing requirements may determine the outcome. Please send your questions to: Lindsey Novak, c/o Creators Syndicate, 5777 W. Century Blvd., Suite 700, Los Angeles, CA 90045. E-mail her at LindseyNovak@yahoo.com, or visit her Web site at www.LindseyNovak.com. She answers all e-mails. To find out more about Lindsey Novak and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com. COPYRIGHT 2009 CREATORS SYNDICATE INC.
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