Raw End of the Deal

I was really enjoying my days off. I was just resting and taking it easy. Or should I say I really enjoyed my first day off. Then on Monday I woke up at about 4:00 a.m. to a really sore throat. It got to the point where I was having trouble swallowing. As a result I was dry heaving. I got to the point where I almost wanted to vomit in the hopes that it would help. So Tuesday I was concerned that it would continue. I woke up and was relieved that I could swallow again. However, I was really congested. I knew that work was going to be really busy as we had been closed for the holiday the day before. And I wanted to at least try to make it through the day. So I stumbled off to work. I went through a pocket pack of Kleenex before lunch. My eyes were watering and I felt lousy. People wanted me to stay away from them so they didn't get sick too. For most of the day I was debating whether or not to call in sick on Wednesday.

At the end of the day I asked the supervisor about the ramifications of calling in sick. We are no longer doing the in class training so one would think that it wouldn't be as serious if I missed a day. The answer shocked me. He threatened to give me a written warning if I called in sick. Now that seems a little harsh. His claim was that in orientation we all would've received the equivalent of a verbal warning. Now I realize that the contract does not allow you to miss more then 16 hours while in training and if you do then say goodbye to your job. But so far they haven't held to that. The supervisor even admitted to me that he is behind on handing out disciplinary action. Last time I checked it was supposed to be done in a timely fashion. If he gave me a written warning though that stays with you and it means no chance of promotion. All that because you missed one day.

I have a couple of problems with this. First of all, no one else was given a written warning. Brian had showed me the letter he received after missing a day. It was a verbal warning and not a written one. So I'd like to see them try to give me a written warning. I'd be having a few words with HR if that happened.

The second problem I have is that in over 6 months I had not missed a single day of work. Had I still been on the old contract nothing would have even been said to me. Had I gotten sick a week later nothing would've been said. But because it was while in training I am being severely penalized for it. Something just doesn't seem completely fair there.... It's not like I wasn't legitimately sick either.

I must say I am not a big fan of their attendance policy in general. After 6 months you start earning 1 sick day per quarter. Maybe it's just me but when I get sick it's usually for more then 24 hours. So instead of really being able to recover you have little choice but to return to work. I get that they don't want so many people using up their sick days right at the beginning of the year.... especially since some of them may not be around all that long. But as anyone that has worked in a call center can attest to when one person gets sick it spreads like a wildfire. It's not like they pay us enough to miss any time. Definitely not an environment that promotes health and well being.

But getting back to my own illness here... Tuesday I got home and just got progressively worse. Didn't take long before I had a fever of something like 100.5. It was at that point when I made the decision that despite the threats I was not coming into work the following day. I called the sick line that night. It was not terribly reassuring when they couldn't find me in the system. Is this Office Space? I'll be moved around randomly and just not be paid for my work? Then I had to call the actual supervisor and leave a message. Pretty sure I was rambling at that point. Then off to bed I went and slept for 12 hours. I went to my doctor on an unrelated matter and he said that it was viral and to get better it was going to take fluid and rest.

So today I was back to work. In an ideal situation I would've taken today off as well to rest. But had I done that I would've been guaranteed a written warning and would've been out money. So back to work I went.

Update: I am sure you are wondering why there is an update when I hadn't even posted it yet. Well I wrote most of it before leaving for work since I couldn't sleep and was up early this morning. I had been told that if I wanted to be paid the sick day then I would have to tell a supervisor that I wanted to be paid. Now why does it have to be so complicated? Can't they just assume that I want the money and pay the day? But no... They seem to love making things difficult. I should point out that the answer did not come from anyone official and I actually have not received an official answer. But first I was told that I hadn't been there long enough. Okay so they didn't realize that I was on a different contract and was switched over. Then I was told that it wouldn't be paid because I was in training. No one ever told me that there were stipulations. Finally, I was told that I would need a doctor's note. Now I was at the doctor's yesterday. I did not get a doctor's note. I did not think I was going to need one. And it costs me $10 to get a doctor's note. Furthermore, if I want to see my doctor I have to book the appointment well in advance. Plus my doctor is out of town. What do they expect me to do? This time okay I can call the office and get a doctors note since I was there... but in future.... Once again I feel like I am getting the raw end of the deal here. I feel like I have to jump through hoops to get something that they promised. Not like that seems to be anything new. And someone admitted to me that the company makes their own rules. So will I get paid for the day.... who knows. Nothing I can really do about that now since I already took the day off. I just feel like I am getting screwed again...

Shock Doctrine

Normally I wouldn't do a book review... especially for a book that I haven't even read. So I guess this really isn't a review. I am looking forward to the release of Naomi Klein's new book called "Shock Doctrine." Back when I was in university I read the book No Logo for one of my classes.

In a nutshell it challenges the idea that democracy and the free market actually go hand in hand. The argument is made that politicians exploit times of crisis and disasters to pass bills that might not get passed otherwise. It's called disaster capitalism. It's hard to argue with some of the examples that are provided. Take for instance the aftermath of the Tsunami that hit southeast Asia. Immediately following the beaches were auctioned off to tourist resorts. There are many examples following Hurricane Katrina. Housing projects wiped out. Corporations capitalizing on the plight of others.

Free Gift With Purchase

As you may be aware I really like Yahoo news. And some days I come across some real gems there. This one left me scratching my head. It seems sales are soaring at a Missouri car dealership where they offer a free handgun with purchase. Customers can choose either a $250 credit at a gun shop or $250 for gas. Seems all but two people have opted for the gun. Maybe it's just me but I don't get the connection between a car and a gun. Is that for road rage?

Okay I have been to Missouri and I must say that there was a gun shop on every corner. It was a bit of a culture shock for me. After all here in Canada I'm not sure I've ever even wandered by a gun shop. I mean I probably have but it wasn't as prominent. Their gun shops are like our liquor stores. Definitely a different culture and a different mindset. Apparently one that sells cars.

Early Mornings Do Not Agree With Me

I realized today that I am missed... and people notice my absence. Now that to me seems a little odd since I am right here. I am still online. Or can be reached by phone. But my Blog has not been updated and my status on Facebook has been non-existent. So in many ways it is like I don't exist. But don't worry I haven't completely fallen off the face of the earth.

I would like to be able to say that a newfound relationship has been taking up all my time.... But that is more wishful thinking. More like those super early mornings really do not agree with me. Let me tell you at 5:45 am I do NOT want to be getting out of bed and preparing myself for the long walk to work. The job really doesn't help that but that's a whole other story.

I have now recovered from working midnights, I think. Took quite a while but now even on my days off I am up in the morning. Maybe not quite as early as before work but still in the morning. I'm sure a few people are now wondering if I have a fever since I was always the one going to bed late and waking up late. Not any more. I guess I did a good job of resetting my sleep patterns.

Other then that my life has been pretty uneventful. Getting plenty of exercise walking to work. Had a friend suggest that I join the military. Not sure how he figured I was going to manage that with the Fibromyalgia or with the thought of carrying 50+ pounds on my back. Or even the fact I'd be without Azrael for an extended period of time. Somehow I just can't see it.

Speaking of Azrael I have an addict for a kitty. I am back to having catnip all over the floor at the moment. I put down the bag of catnip instead of putting it away. So he got into it. And now I really have nothing else to say. Enjoying the peace and quiet and am about to go back to it.