Dear Eric: I agree with your thoughts to “Overworked,” the high school student who was juggling work and high school. As a workforce development specialist and school-work-consultant here is an additional suggestion. In this era, work-based activity is increasingly being recognized in the K-12 arena as a valid way to gain high school and even college credit. “Overworked” might want to also talk to a school counselor to see if they have work-based learning opportunities. (Learn and Earn, in some states, is actually one of several graduation pathways). Thanks for letting me chime in.
—Other Ways to Earn
Dear Other Ways: Thanks for this suggestion. A work opportunity that also helps the letter writer achieve academic goals is an ideal solution.
Dear Eric: Last year my father’s funeral was ruined at the local cemetery because of a rude and disrespectful security guard employed by them, who yelled at and became belligerent with my family for no reason. Subsequent complaints to management resulted in frustration with the cemetery boss sticking up for the guard. At no point did anyone from the cemetery apologize to me or my family.
Soon after, the cemetery also completed the grave picture wrong, and another manager refused to listen, raised her voice and was nasty when I inquired about it via phone. More recently, my father’s vase flowers were desecrated with construction material, but the cemetery again denies any wrongdoing, saying it’s just regular wear and tear. It’s an outdoor mausoleum. Cemetery management has been disrespectful and hurtful since day one. I would like some advice, please.
—Grieving Son
Dear Son: I’m sorry you’re going through this while trying to navigate grief. It’s surely frustrating and painful. Document what you can through photos and saved correspondence and file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau (bbb.org). I should warn you that this isn’t an instant cure-all. The BBB can’t force a business to make things right with you, but many businesses do respond to complaints filed with the organization.
Also, if it’s feasible, consider saving up to move your father to another cemetery so that you don’t have to deal with this one in perpetuity.
(Send questions to R. Eric Thomas at eric@askingeric.com or P.O. Box 22474, Philadelphia, PA 19110. Follow him on Instagram and sign up for his weekly newsletter at rericthomas.com.)
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