I am pondering of quitting over this new rule at work

DEAR HARRIETTE: It looks as if, except for inflation, the world is nearly again to pre-pandemic order.

A number of the modifications that got here with COVID-19, like carrying masks and dealing from house, appear to be much less necessary to some individuals.

For the previous two years, my job has been hybrid, working 4 days within the workplace and in the future at house. General, firm efficiency has been stellar.

Regardless of that, the higher-ups are saying that they need us to work in-office 5 days per week, which I feel is thoughtless to the staff.

We get in the future at house to get a break from commuting, get an additional hour of sleep, run an errand on our lunch breaks — and nonetheless work! Why have they got to take that away if the corporate remains to be doing nicely?

I do know the job market is hard, however do you assume it is a legitimate purpose to go away my job?

I wish to be someplace that acknowledges that there’s extra to life than simply work, however I’m undecided if that really exists wherever.

— In-Particular person Worker

DEAR IN-PERSON EMPLOYEE: I’m sorry to report that many firms have been making an attempt to determine learn how to get their employees again to the workplace full-time. When the US authorities required each federal worker to rejoin the workplace workforce full-time, many different firms fell in line.

Ought to this new rule ship you in search of a brand new job? I don’t assume so. As an alternative, open a dialogue along with your supervisor to see if there’s any wiggle room for a four-day week — if not each week, possibly typically.

You possibly can hold your eyes open for distant job alternatives, however it’s clever to simply accept that the way in which the individuals work is ever-changing, and you will have to be prepared to be adaptable.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I feel I’m nonetheless in love with my ex. Is it attainable it simply wasn’t the correct time for us?

He and I bumped into one another for the primary time in a very long time at a celebration again in December, and it’s as if we picked up the place we left off. There was some delicate avoidance at first, however he checked on me all through the evening and insisted that he drive me house afterward.

I at all times appreciated how he would deal with me.

Because it was just one evening, I made a decision to not make it greater than it was. I didn’t wish to kick off some on-again, off-again sample.

Then final week he reached out and invited me to see his music group carry out — one thing I used to do after we had been in a relationship.

All these reminders of the previous are stirring up emotions I had for him, and it makes me marvel if I’m nonetheless in love with him. In that case, ought to I act on it?

— Proper Timing