Have you got a work-related problem? In this series we invite you to send in a short description of your predicament – so that other readers can offer solutions

I am a woman nearing 40 who recently left academia for a job on an entry level paygrade in an industry where my talents seem to be going to good use and I am doing some good for the world. My heart is really in it, but my pay continues to stagnate and I am less senior than I should be. They are getting a big bang for their buck and just tell me to be patient. I cannot seem to get another job to improve my negotiating power. I have days where I feel so worthless. Should I threaten to quit unless they promote me?

• When leaving a message on this page, please be sensitive to the fact that you are responding to a real person in the grip of a real-life dilemma, who wrote to Working It Out asking for help, and may well view your comments here.

• If you have a problem at work, this is your chance to get some advice. Email your dilemma to Working.It.Out@theguardian.com (up to 150 words, please; no attachments), or set it out below. Every fortnight we’ll ask readers to advise on one of them. We’ll also print some of the best suggestions in G2 every other Wednesday. And don’t worry about your boss: we won’t use your name.

• Submissions are subject to our terms and conditions: see http://gu.com/letters-terms