Office politics

I feel fortunate to be employed at the age of 58 but, after being in the same industry for more than 30 years, I’m without benefits. I’ll work until the day I die.

The company I work for realises this and while I’m considered a “key employee” they’ve refused me annual increments. At my age it’s difficult, if not downright impossible, to get alternative employment. This is despite the fact that I don’t take unnecessary time off, am loyal and hard-working, and I’m willing to learn any new skills.

These days older women are excluded from the work market when their skills, loyalty and experience could benefit a company. No maternity leave required and no days off because the babysitter didn’t arrive! How I wish I could find employment in a company that appreciates these qualities. BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE, EMAIL

SMy husband works for an international company in Gauteng. The firm has a compulsory provident fund which doesn’t abide by our religious beliefs. He asked if he could move to a fund that did comply and the answer was no.

Where’s democracy in the workplace? How can a company choose what to do with your money?

All religious and cultural beliefs have to be accommodated where possible. There appears to be no valid reason for the “no”. This type of discrimination should not be allowed or tolerated in the workplace. NURIAH ABRAHAMS, PRETORIA

SIn our open-plan office are four women of various shapes and sizes. One feels the heat more than the rest of us. Soon after arriving at the office she puts the air-con on and very soon we find ourselves trying to work in a decidedly chilly atmosphere (pun intentional). When we venture to say we’re feeling the cold she basically says, “Get a jersey.”

This is so inconsiderate but I’m fairly new in this office so I take the lead from the others and keep quiet. Should one of them timidly mention they’re getting cold, I’m quick to agree – but this still has no effect on the oh-so-selfish-one. I really feel like hiding the remote until next summer and letting her suffer a bit too. COWARD, EMAIL

Both have beds on her desk, her office is filled with stuffed toys and there are often cages filled with abandoned baby birds she’s bringing up before release. ANDREW, BRONKHORSTSPRUIT