Asking someone to share holiday might be a lifesaver

Dear Full of Gratitude: Please accept my sympathy for the tragic loss of your brother. Isolation can be a killer, and inclusion can be a lifesaver. Bless you for what you are doing.

I hope other readers follow your example.

Dear Abby: I have been working as an intern at a company for about 18 months. During the summer, I completed a test I needed to become fully licensed in my field.

Yet I’m still working as an intern, although I have repeatedly requested a meeting with my employer to talk money.

He keeps saying that he doesn’t have time and that we will discuss it later. He even agreed to a time on a certain day but failed to show up. Should I continue to press the issue? Call him? Email? Or just look for other work?

Dear Concerned: You have done enough. The ball is in his court. Start quietly looking for another job — at a place where your skills will be appropriately compensated.

Dear Abby: How can I tactfully tell an elementary school teacher in whose class I assist that she uses poor grammar and words that aren’t words (i.e., “I boughten this yesterday” or “Her and me went to the soccer game.”)?

I’m fond of her but think she is doing a disservice to her pupils. She is otherwise devoted and energetic.

Dear Tactful: Children model adults in their behavior. That a teacher consistently says what she says in a classroom is shocking. How could she have become a licensed educator with such poor English skills?

I don’t think that, as her subordinate, you should take it upon yourself to correct the woman. But you should discuss the matter with the school principal.