COLUMNIST and trained counsellor Fiona Caine answers another set of reader dilemmas.

I’VE GOT A JOB BUT MY HUSBAND STILL EXPECTS ME TO DO ALL THE COOKING AND CLEANING

I have been married for 25 years and had three wonderful sons, all of whom have now left home or are at university. With this in mind, I got a job last year with a local IT firm; I enjoy it and it’s gone well. It’s challenging work involving quite long hours, but I am being quite well paid. In fact, I am earning about the same as my husband and sometimes more.

ALSO READ: Agony aunt advice to couple after betrayal

So far so good, but the issue of housework is threatening to undermine it all. When I wasn’t working, I was happy to do most of the heavy-lifting. However, now that I am doing long hours and often getting in after my husband, it galls that he still expects me to cook the evening meal and clean the house.

FIONA SAYS: TIME FOR A FAMILY SIT-DOWN

Have you told your husband that now you’re working you can’t do all the domestic tasks you used to do, and that they should be prepared to do a share of them? I believe it’s time for a family get-together, where you point out that now everyone in the house is working, everyone needs to take on a share.

Explain how you are feeling, make a list of all the jobs that need to be done, and then create a rota for doing them.

MY COLLEAGUE IS BEING TRICKY SINCE I GOT PROMOTED

I work for a major supermarket chain and six months ago, I got bumped up to section head. I had worked hard for the promotion, putting in lots of extra hours and always going the extra mile to get things done.

Most of the people I now supervise have accepted me with good grace, including some that had worked in the section far longer than me. However, one man is doing all he can to undermine me.

Should I talk to my boss? I have been reluctant to do this so to date for fear of appearing weak, but what else can I do?

FIONA SAYS: A CONVERSATION COULD BE THE BEST PLACE TO START

I’m glad you’re doing well. Sadly though, as more women reach senior positions, other people can feel threatened when a woman is put in charge. That may be the case here - as I think you believe it to be - or it may be something else entirely.

Rather than resort to any kind of formal procedure, perhaps try having an informal chat with this man first, if you haven’t already?

If you have a problem, email Fiona by writing to help@askfiona.net for advice. All letters are treated in complete confidence.