So glad you're getting a well-deserved break. I have a completely non-related question which I wonder if you could pose to your bloggership? How long should one remain in a work situation with an abusive boss? I'm pretty much at the end of my tether after 15 months. Also, never having gotten a proper contract, do I just down tools and walk when I can finally take no more? Or is it worth it to my soul to 'do the right thing' despite others not behaving the same way? I can't email right now so I had to post this question on your blog - hope you don't mind. Your 'regulars' are an intelligent group, I would value their opinion. Thanks xx

Hmmm... Robert, arguments could be made for both sides as you agree, but if you've done everything you could in the time there and nothing is resolving, you'd be well within your own moral compass to jump ship when you ahve something to jump to. The fact that they haven't contracted you could mean that they a) don't value you enough to consider it necessary, or another way of looking at it is, b)- If you had served your purpose with them and they decided one day that they didn't need you after 5pm. Do you think they'd keep you on regardless?

If you feel that you did all you could to rectify the situation, or if you feel that they wouldn't offer you the same consideration- jump and know that a better standard of living attained from not being in a contenious workplace, will brighten not only your life, butthe people you interact with! (Do it for the good of others... - same reason i eat the company cookies!)
Best of luck!

Thanks, Matt - you make eminent sense. I, too, eat the company cookies, but more often than not I buy them for everyone anyway! I am planning an escape to something better, and in the meantime am reserving the right to tell my boss where to shove it if I reach the end of my tether. In fact, I'm not going to give her any reasons why I'm leaving ... which will ultimately drive her insane, mwahahahahaha.