A service of the Human Resources Department. All questions and complaints are strictly confidential.

Letter 63091: I am an assistant file clerk in section 31, department H. Recently I was passed over for promotion to Senior Assistant File Clerk, despite 12 years of dedicated service to Delmarva. I'm really steamed! But I don't want to quit. What should I do?

Loyal But Upset

Dear Loyal But Upset (Real name: J. Ralph Muldoon),

We are quite aware that you are "steamed." I'd advise you to keep a lid on it. Effective immediately, you are on probationary status at half-pay, pending a thorough review of your performance.

Letter 53112:

It seems that no matter how much money Delmarva makes, we never get a raise down here in Waste Products Cataloguing Division (Section K). I think that big shot executives just pocket all the profits and ignore us little guys. What do you think?

Where's My Share

Dear Where's My Share (Real name: Hubert J. Rankle, Jr.)

I think you're fired.

Letter 78436:

When I was hired nine years ago, I was told that vacation time accrued at the rate of one week every six months (after the first six-month probationary period), up to the second year, and then a week-and-a-half every year after that, up to the five year mark. At that point, time off accrues at a rate of two weeks for every six months worked. Also, I was lead to believe that if you don't use it all in one year, it carries over into the next calendar year. I haven't had any time off (except for layoffs, which I understand doesn't count as vacation time) since I started. I figure that means I've got about 14 weeks coming to me. But my supervisor won't approve any time off at all. Am I right?

Overtime

Dear Overtime (Real name: Rupert Darby),

You are quite mistaken. Mandated layoffs most certainly do count against company leave time. Furthermore, whoever sold you that fish story about "vacation" time was not speaking with the authority of management. Our records indicate that, in fact, you have a one week-three day deficit, for which you will be docked. We have taken the additional step of notifying your supervisor to pay close attention to your time-sheets for the next six weeks.