DEAR HARRIETTE: I started my current job during the COVID-19 pandemic, and at that time everyone was working from home.
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My supervisor is usually accommodating, but the company as a whole has suffered a bit in terms of sales revenue this year.
I want to ask for a raise, or at least to be compensated for my gas now that a commute is required, but am I being insensitive to the company’s current state?
— Need a Raise
DEAR NEED A RAISE: This may not be the best time to make your pitch, but you, too, are suffering. You can always ask.
Request a private meeting with your supervisor, ask if it is possible for you to have a gas allowance. Make sure you go in with facts: Calculate how much you’ll be spending weekly on gas, and ask for a stipend to cover that amount. That type of request will likely be more welcome than asking for a raise at this time, but if other team members are also commuting long distances, your pitch may not work.
Another option might be to ask for a hybrid arrangement where you work from home a couple of days each week. To help your case, remind your boss of the ways in which you support the team and go beyond expectations whenever asked.
DEAR HARRIETTE: My daughter’s childhood babysitter has stayed in touch with the family over the years, though we haven’t talked recently.
While she was working with our family and long after, she really considered my daughter to be like her own flesh and blood.
My daughter is getting married next year, and I’m sure her former babysitter will expect to be invited to the wedding. When my daughter was graduating from middle school, we made the mistake of not inviting this person to any of the celebrations, and she was crushed. I don’t want to forget her again.
The caveat is that my daughter and her fiance are planning a destination wedding in another country. I don’t believe our former babysitter is able to afford such a large trip. Should I pay to accommodate her travel so that she can participate?
— Part of the Family
DEAR PART OF THE FAMILY: By all means, you should invite the former babysitter to your daughter’s wedding.
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Also, be sure to include her in any local pre-wedding celebrations, such as an engagement party, bridal shower, etc. You may even consider planning a gathering where the babysitter can meet your daughter’s fiance.
People who play the roles of taking care of children are special. They treat our children like precious angels, and we should do anything we can to honor them.
Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.
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