HOW IT WORKS:

1. Read the letter below asking for advice about work.
2. Click on a dollar sign to give your advice.
3. View the voting results in this box. Repeat.

Dear Anyone,

One of my colleagues has terrible spelling and grammar. Despite running his documents through the spell check, they’re usually still a mess. He uses awkward phrases, run-on sentences, strange vocabulary, etc. He has asked me to help look over his docs before sending them out, and I used to agree to help once in a while. But now my colleague is running memos and reports by me all the time. I feel bad saying no, but proofreading his work is affecting my productivity and making him look good. He’s a nice guy, and has taken me out to lunch a few times for my help, but I don’t want to do his work for him any more. I’m in an awkward spot because he’s been grateful, but I really feel like he’s passing too much stuff my way. Can I say no to helping him, or would that make me a jerk?

Unpaid Editor in Louisville

WHAT'S YOUR ADVICE?

	A:	Cut down on your help. You’re entitled to tell your colleague once in a while that you’re just “too busy.”
	B:	Stop the editing. The more you help, the more he’ll use you as a crutch.
	C:	If he’s buying you lunch, then it’s a fair trade. You can’t just decide to stop helping.
	D:	Stop editing his docs, buy your colleague a couple of books on writing. He needs to stop eating your fish and start fishing.

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