DEAR ABBY: I have worked with the same six women and three men for 19 years. Each time one has a birthday, we have a small office party with lunch, cake and ice cream, and a gift in the $50 range, and the birthday person gets the remainder of the day off. This is done for everyone except me.
Although it hurts my feelings, I’ve never said anything about being excluded, and no one seems to have noticed the omission. I did inquire (twice) if anyone had dined at a restaurant my husband will be taking me to for my birthday, but no one picked up my hint that I’m also a part of the staff.
Should I politely continue celebrating other people’s special days or proclaim, “Hey! I’m here, too!” — INVISIBLE CO-WORKER
DEAR INVISIBLE: As the saying goes, “The squeaky wheel gets the grease.” Could you have inadvertently been omitted from a list of employee birthdays? By all means, speak up before it’s time for you to retire.
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Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
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