DEAR MISS MANNERS: My friend got me a job at the company where she works -- a temp job for a few months’ time. It was a real help for me, and I don’t know what I would have done otherwise.
My friend is acting as my boss, and she is generally very nice. However, she told me that although she is my boss, I make more than her, and she feels pretty bad about it. I told her I was shocked to hear that and that they should pay her more, but I didn’t know what else to say.
Now I’m feeling terribly guilty and have an impulse to send her money, but I’m afraid if I did, it would be a passive-aggressive move. Is there anything else that can be done? I will be out of here soon anyway, and unemployed again.
GENTLE READER: Well, that should make her feel better.
There are so many things that are exceedingly wrong here and all for different reasons: that a temp would get paid more than a boss; that your friend would think it necessary to mention that to you; that you would feel that any of this is your fault -- and especially that you would think it your responsibility to send her money to make up for it.
Miss Manners finds the last one more confusing than passive-aggressive. Your best course would be to be supportive of your friend: either in her asking for a raise -- or helping her to find a better job.