DEAR ABBY: The ground I work on has a cluster of places of work surrounding a central kitchen space. Fifteen of us share the home equipment, together with a sizzling water reservoir with a faucet.
The constructing is previous and has lead pipes, so a service brings in giant plastic bottles for a water cooler. Normally, whoever arrives first within the morning fills the tank on the water heater from the cooler, and all of us use it to make sizzling drinks in the course of the day.
I simply came upon {that a} new worker has been filling the tank from the contaminated faucet! Once I requested her about it, she mentioned that the microplastics within the water jugs are extra harmful than the lead within the pipes. She’s very dedicated to this concept and isn’t going to budge.
I don’t assume that is proper. I’ll warmth my very own water any further, however how ought to I warn the others within the workplace?
The supply of our tea water looks as if a foolish factor to start out an workplace tiff over, however I additionally assume individuals must know their water is unsafe.
— NOT DRINKING IN NEW YORK
DEAR NOT DRINKING: I agree the staff in your workplace ought to learn about this. No less than they are going to be on discover about which “poison” they’re consuming. Report this to HR or your employer, so the announcement can come from on excessive and you’ll keep out of the road of fireplace.
DEAR ABBY: I’ve spent 40 years serving the general public and my nation, placing different individuals first and feeling responsible if I didn’t. Nevertheless, I’m turning into resentful of the calls for for my time.
I’m retired, and my husband nonetheless works. We’ve got at all times cut up the bills 50-50, though I make lower than 40% of his earnings.
As soon as I retired, my share of the family chores and errands elevated from 75% to 90%. I wished to make life simpler for my husband, however now he expects me to run private errands for him, too. All the damage and tear and gasoline utilization is borne by my automobile, which is significantly older than his.
I’ve a good friend and strolling companion who has been having completely different points she wants assist with. She has at all times talked concerning the shut associates she has recognized for many years and sees commonly. All of them stay about 20 minutes away and are retired, in good well being and in a position to drive. I provided her my assist prior to now; now she and her associates assume I needs to be her go-to individual since I stay nearer to her than they do.
I’ve my very own schedule and routine now. I like having some days free to do what I really feel like and never have to meet calls for from others. How do I let individuals know my time is efficacious and discourage them from anticipating me to assist them?
— TOO NICE AND HELPFUL
DEAR TOO NICE: It isn’t a criminal offense to inform somebody you don’t have time to do what they need you to do.
It’s time to join some assertiveness coaching so you possibly can learn to say no. (No, I’m not kidding.) For those who do as I recommend, it would even enhance your marriage. Your physician or medical health insurance firm can refer you to somebody certified.
Pricey Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, often known as Jeanne Phillips, and was based by her mom, Pauline Phillips. Contact Pricey Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Field 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
