Q: My boss hired her daughter to work part time in the office. Before that, I was her only employee.

The daughter is an arrogant, foul-mouthed know-it-all. Most of the day, she surfs the Internet, talks on her cellphone or sends instant messages to her friends.

Although she's supposed to help with general office work, she won't even answer the phone. She does exactly what her mother tells her to and nothing more.

I recently discovered that this girl is being paid almost as much as I am. My boss had told me she was making much less. I find this extremely insulting.

I don't know how to address the issue without creating hard feelings. Until this happened, I really loved my job. What should I do?

A: Your boss is the owner, so it's her money. She's free to give as much as she likes to her child, even if that child is a slacker.

You're smart to keep your mouth shut. Any criticism of her daughter will make your boss feel like both a bad mother and a bad manager. She's not likely to appreciate the feedback.

The good news is that the daughter might not be there for long. Mom probably forced her into this position, so goofing off is her revenge. Eventually, rebellion may cause her to quit.

Since you previously enjoyed your job, wait to see how this plays out. For now, try to accept the situation and view this child's inflated salary as a very large allowance.

MARIE G. McINTYRE

OFFICE COACH

Q: I need to know if it's time to quit my job. I am burned out and not motivated to do my work or support my customers. Because of performance issues, my boss no longer respects me.

Because of all the stress, I am often sick and have anxiety attacks. I keep thinking about quitting, but I can't afford to leave.

A: Perhaps you can't afford to leave, but you also can't afford to continue this way. The health problems are a sign that you've reached your limit. And performance issues may have put your job at risk.

Although a quick fix is unlikely, you'll feel better after you take steps toward a more hopeful future. Start by determining the cause of your burnout. Are you in the wrong type of work? Stuck in a toxic organization? Or simply in need of a change?

If leaving seems to be the right solution, polish up your résumé and start networking. But don't quit until you have another job. And while you're in this one, you must deliver the results expected.

- Marie G. McIntyre is an Atlanta-based workplace coach. Her weekly column is syndicated by Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service. Send questions at www.yourofficecoach.com.