The Occupational Health report! Yes. My place of work received it, and my boss arranged a meeting, and we met, and I was rather nervous because, you know, cuts in pay or working extra hours were both on the table and I didn’t know which was going to come up. I was hoping for cuts in pay, because working extra hours when I already get this bloody tired seemed miserable.
I am well aware we, H and I, are very lucky to be able to take a pay-cut without much in the way of struggle and angst.
However, Boss Lady’s agenda was completely different. Completely:
- She wanted a better understanding of adenomyosis and endometriosis, both generally (she’s not familiar with the details beyond knowing they are gynaecological problem and painful), and of how they affect me. And she did this with grace, humour, and compassion.
- She was also very understanding and compassionate about the whole ‘can’t remove uterus, burn it, and dance on its ashes because we’re still trying to procreate’ thing.
- She was very unkeen on the idea of my taking a pay-cut or working more hours. She felt quite strongly that as I have a legitimate medical condition, I shouldn’t be put in the position of doing more to compensate. There is quite a lot of complicated office politics behind this, including issues around other members of staff with serious health problems, and other members of staff with – ohh, just say it – serious mooching issues. We both assiduously pretended we had absolutely no particular people in mind at all and anyway neither of us had just alluded to that situation at all.
- Also, this is Britain, where we have actual laws protecting workers from discrimination and firing and such because of health issues. At least, we have these laws at the moment (fucking Tories), so I should take advantage of them while they’re still in force.
- Decision taken – we carry on as is, but I set my computer up so I can work from home on days when I am ill and miserable but not catatonic or bathroom-floored. On the strict understanding that I only attempt to do some work when I really am feeling able to and don’t wear myself out or try to code under tramadol.
So there’s that. Currently reprogramming laptop. Onwards.
Oh good! I was afraid she’d said something stupid/insensitive/worthy of a HFF Wifey manure delivery. Deliberate obtuseness is such a popular management technique these days.
I always have the cart loaded and ready. You never know when…
Oo, can I get a delivery next time one of the parents doesn’t bother to give their child medication (said child being capable of violence, and the IEP not having arrived yet since this is a new student and we don’t even know if our class is actually the right placement but every other day being a blow-up whether medicated or not, just the non-medicated day being much worse)?
Sorry for the complete off-topicness, May :-/
I am very ecumenial with the cow shit. No problem!
Yes, it IS me. WordPress hating on me again, the bastard.
Yay! ‘Cause the problems were evidently our fault, because we only had said student for 1 week, and a week of early-outs (because of parent conferences) at that. (The teacher I work with said the parents came in swinging to the meeting Friday–I may not get many hours, but at least I don’t have to deal with parents and paperwork!)
Well, good. I’m glad your boss was sensible about the entire thing!
Oh, that is wonderful news!
Great news. You are clearly valued – which is a lovely feeling.
What a relief, and those sound like sensible answers. Phew.
For once: YAY! A decent, compassionate, far result for May & H.
Let there be many more of them, and soon.
I think having a bash at coding while under the ‘fluence of tramadol would be… highly interesting the next day, when you reviewed it.
Yay!
I am really happy to hear of a sensible person in a position of power – is she available for politics?
Wow, what an awesome meeting! YAY!!
I am so happy your employer was understanding and fair. Hurrah!
Fantastic news!
Your boss is an absolute star, bless her wee cotton socks.
Am still shaking an occasional fist at the sky and thinking of you both more than you know xx
Why is it that we are so amazed and chuffed about someone in a position of authority being nice, sympathetic and what is the word?!… erm… A, yeah, HUMAN?! Shouldn’t they all be like that?
Anyway, very pleased you’ve got one of this dinosaurs as a boss. It surely makes your life easier. Which is nice.
Delighted to hear it. Quite right too! Sending Boss Lady nice thoughts.
How Wonderful is that. i work from home all the time and never in the office (i am contract workers for call centres) and it really does make being sick easier…. kindof. No one tells me I look awful go to bed when I am trying to push myself too far
Wow – I love your boss, and I’ve never met her! (Or at least I don’t think I have, but the library world is quite small…)
I’m so glad to hear this. I hope it makes this one small aspect of your life easier and in turn frees up some emotional and mental resources for all the really big stuff you’re handling right now.
And that is a good manager.
Good.
K x
I was hoping for reduced hours and responsiblities, but it is a good compromise. I’m glad your boss was able to be a nice, understanding human being.
Phew!
Your boss is awesome. Lemme’ adopt my most American nasal Valley Girl twang on this – she is AWESOME. She needs cloning. Amazingly considerate and a brilliant attitude. So pleased for you May.
[…] hurrr?‘ tiresomeness (remember the faffle over the occupational health assessment because I was missing work every month when Cute Ute the Despoiler bursts out in tight purple trousers?). I have saved up most of my leave […]