Experts address workplace dilemmas including the challenges faced by internal candidates, refreshing your relationship with work, the difficulties of remote work, and managing an insecure manager.
Addressing pay disparities requires focusing on one's own career and exploring other opportunities if necessary.
When seeking remote work, making a strong case to employers, considering alternative companies, and finding a balance between remote and in-person presence is crucial.
Deep dives
Dealing with a coworker being paid more with less experience
A listener raises the issue of a new coworker being in a higher management role and being paid more despite having less experience and qualifications. The hosts discuss the feeling of being overlooked and offer advice on addressing the situation without seeming petty. They emphasize the need to focus on one's own career, explore the information gap, and possibly seek opportunities elsewhere if necessary.
Requesting to work remotely overseas
A listener in their fifties expresses a desire to work remotely overseas for the final few years of their career. The hosts discuss the importance of making a strong case to the employer and team, highlighting the potential benefits and emphasizing flexibility. They suggest considering other employers who are more open to remote work and encourage finding a balance between remote work and occasional in-person presence for social and professional reasons.
Dealing with an unsupportive manager and negative performance reviews
A listener shares their experience of an unsupportive manager who gave negative performance reviews after the listener invested time and money in professional training. The hosts discuss possible reasons behind the manager's behavior and offer guidance on managing the situation. They advise the listener to assert their loyalty to the organization, seek a collaborative conversation with the manager, and focus on presenting a progressive and inspirational approach that benefits both parties.
Bad bosses, tough conditions and colleagues who put us in the shade; we all have work problems sometimes and Working It is here to help you solve yours. Host Isabel Berwick teams up with Jonathan Black, director of the Oxford university careers service and writer of the FT’s Dear Jonathan career advice column, to help three listeners.
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Presented by Isabel Berwick, produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval, mixed by Simon Panayi. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s head of audio.