There Is A New Woman At Work Who Dresses In A Very Inappropriate Way

 

By Jeff Johnson And Paula Forman

 

NUNYA

 

Dear Short Answers:

 

There is a new woman at work who dresses in a very inappropriate way. The problem is that she dresses TOO WELL!! I work in a casual work environment and she dresses in fancy designer suits and expensive shoes. She’s making the rest of us girls look like slobs. How do I tell her in a nice way to tone it down?

 

Jeans Girl

 

 

 

Dear Girl:

 

You can choose your own clothes, but you don’t get to choose hers.

 

DOUBLE INDEMNITY

 

 

 

Dear Short Answers:

 

I talked a friend into going on a “sun” vacation with me and it turned out to be a pretty crappy time. Cold and rainy all week long. Nothing to do but drink and no interesting people to talk to. Since it was my idea in the first place (and I picked the location), do you think I should pay my friend back for at least part of the trip? She hasn’t brought it up but she’s been pretty cold and distant since we got back.

 

Still Cold & Miserable

 

 

 

Dear Miserable:

 

Of course not! You’re not responsible for the weather nor are you responsible for anyone else’s good time … and don’t you ever forget that!

 

WE COULD WRITE A BOOK ON THIS ONE

 

 

 

Dear Short Answers:

 

A woman at work just had a baby (her first) and decided that she wants to come back part-time. Actually, I think she’s getting paid full-time, but she works part-time from home. I think this is massively unfair and if one person can work from home, we all should be able to work from home. Am I justified in making an official complaint about this to HR? I don’t want the new mom to be punished. I just want the rest of us to be treated the same way!

 

It’s About Fair

 

 

 

Dear Fair:

 

We hear you. Culturally, we are in an adjustment period. Now that it has been massively documented that working mothers operate at an extreme disadvantage, some companies are bending over backwards to accommodate their needs. Think of it as affirmative action for moms. Until the workplace adjusts to the needs of people, not just parents, there are bound to be inequities. About making a complaint … we think that is ill-advised. You don’t have all the facts. A better approach is to inquire about the policy concerning work from home. And don’t be too surprised if there is none.

 

THANKS FOR YOUR CONCERN

 

 

 

Dear Short Answers:

 

What do you think is going to happen to all those gay people who are getting married when they get older? If they don’t have kids and their families have disowned them, who’s going to take care of them when they can’t take care of themselves?

 

Family Man

 

 

 

Dear Man:

 

We have every confidence that “all those gay people” will manage their elder care as well as any of us — and better than most. And good luck with your own expectations.

 

BACK IN THE SADDLE

 

 

 

Dear Short Answers:

 

What’s the right amount of time to start dating again after a very nasty break-up? My friends tell me to slow down — but I think I’m ready!! (It’s only been a couple of months). What do you think?

 

Ready to Roll

 

 

 

Dear Ready:

 

The right time is whenever you think it’s right — go girl!

 

 

 

Life is complicated. “Short Answers” isn’t.

 

 

 

Send a question about whatever is bothering you to [email protected] or go to www.shortanswers.net and a psychologist and sociologist will answer. A selection of the best questions will be printed every week in KonkLife.

[livemarket market_name="KONK Life LiveMarket" limit=3 category=“” show_signup=0 show_more=0]