Your Work Pain and Suffering...

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*Violated

*Gypped in New York


Dear Doc.,
I am in quite a predicament. I work for a restaurant as a hostess. I have worked there for a year and a half. This last Saturday my manager came in drunk on his day off. He came up to me and hugged me a little too closely and touched my arms in an affectionate manner. This gave me chills! He is not only old, ugly, and ignorant, but he is my manager! What am I to do? I love my job!
-Violated in Virginia

Dear Violated,
I have one suggestion, start dressing really sexy. Get this guy horny. But never allude any interest in him. You got to make him make some improper offers or threats. Because as it is you have very little basis for sexual harassment as the situation stands. I recommend notifying your coworkers and another manager of what happened. Then tell your manager how his actions made you feel uncomfortable. Make sure people know the situation so you have leverage if anything else occurs or he claims that you are lying. You may even consider looking for another job. Nothing is worse than working in an uncomfortable atmosphere day in and day out.


Dear Dr. Joe,
I don't get paid crap! I took the first job I could find out of college and did not even think about negotiating my salary. Recently I found out a guy (lets call "Damien") hired at the same time as me received $4,000 more not to mention a signing bonus. I am barely getting by on my measly salary. I didn't go to college to eat ramen! What can I do? I only have a year experience but my work quality far exceeds that bastard's.
Gypped in New York

Dear Gypped,
You live and you learn. Try approaching your supervisor and asking for a raise. They know how hard you have been working and they also know how much "Damien" is making. This should be sufficient merit for a raise. If you don't receive one, consider looking for a new job. After a year of experience and good references you are very marketable. Changing companies almost always results in at least a 10% raise in salary. Then once you have the new job, tell your boss he can go eat ramen!