Q Two questions for you. First, how soon after receiving my redundancy payment can I take up another job, without having to pay it back? Second, during my redundancy notice period, am I obliged to tell my employer about any offers of employment?
MD

As a student, can I claim back my national insurance contributions that I have paid while working just a few weeks of the year?

My manager is paid much more than me, while my junior colleague also earns more than I do. What can I do?

Q I recently gained access to my personnel file at work. I have a name similar to a high-ranking Nazi and I noted that after a recent incident where a member of the public called me "Gestapo", a manager has started to alter my name on internal documents and emails.

My employer won't grant me sick pay and I don't have a contract. Where do I stand?

I am about to be made redundant after working at an organisation for two years. How will my employer work out what to pay me?

I've just moved to the UK and have got a job as a clerical assistant, for which I'm overqualified. When I lived in Canada I accumulated 12 years management experience and have been the director of a small company. How can I find a better job here?

I work for a small charity as PA to the director and am increasingly concerned about the lack of professionalism displayed by my manager.

I work for a young company and, along with other staff, think it may be a good idea to join a trade union to safeguard our future rights. We don't know which one to join or whether it would be a good idea to start up the process. What do you think?

Is it possible to have an ethical career in the London finance sector or do I have to feel like the devil about working in banking?

I have a well-paid business-oriented job and would like to pursue a more art-oriented career. I realise that finding a career in the arts world is difficult and that many jobs are badly paid, but I would love to do it. Do you have any tips?

I'm an NHS manager and although I'm happy at work, I'm restless. I have a high IQ and am sure I have the potential to do well, but with a young family, I don't want to commit to working all hours. Any idea what I could do?

I work in public relations for a local authority. My pay and job title (of assistant) dramatically needs reviewing but there are rumours of possible redundancies. I am keen to move on in public relations and feel that I am going nowhere in my current role but does my current low salary mean I will alway be offered low-paid jobs?

I work as a caseworker in the voluntary sector. My employer has talked of extending my contract, but I would like to negotiate a pay rise. What is the best way to do this?

I'm not much a of career person but I want to improve my job prospects and my pay. Where do I start?

Q I am a single mother who completed a degree in 1998. Four years ago I joined an IT firm as a graduate entrant and was promised a career which would lead to big increases in my salary and company benefits. Since then my salary has gone up by only £12,500.

I am a fine art graduate and until recently I was employed part-time in a nice city administrative job which paid well and allowed me to concentrate on my artistic practice in the remaining time. I am now being made redundant - with no pay - and this worries me.

I am a solicitor with 13 years experience in commercial law, and have just left my job in order to spend more time with my son. I feel unchallenged and would like to change direction, perhaps going into the voluntary sector to do something socially worthwhile. Any ideas?