Mrs A has to go back to work today. She is trepidacious (oh, go look it up) about returning, since she had to take a medical leave, and the doctor is only allowing her to work 32 hours a week. She is also afraid they will have just left all the work for her when she returns, plus the idea that they may just tell her to take the rest of her life off.
She has been with her present employer for over 21 years, and has seen them go from a couple of quanset huts to a six story building that they own. During that time they have also gone from a customer friendly business, to a cold all business organization. I have seen the same happen here at the lazy B.
It's all a part of the "Lean Model" that is so popular in business lately. Ebenezer Scrooge would be proud.
Lean models work very well with Manufacturing. They work like crap in human models. People are very seldom machines, although I have known a few that I wondered about.
Basically, they have kept adding and adding responsibilities until it is impossible for her to be successful at her job.
I am reminded of an experiment performed on rats in the laboratory. There were three groups of rats. They were all set up in cages with levers in them. In one group nothing happened when you pushed the lever. In the second you recieved a piece of food when you pushed the lever, in the third you would receive either an electrical shock or a piece of food at random. The first group lost interrest, the second pressed the lever fairly ofter, got fat and lazy, and voted Bush into office. The third, because they had no idea what the punishment/reward system was, pushed and pushed and pushed the lever until they were half crazy, and ran off and joined ELF (Environmental Liberation Front).
It appears management has studied this model and is now applying it to Personnel.
I told Mrs A. to be assertive, and don't let them get around the doctors orders. Let them know that it is impossible for her to successfully do her job, and let them know that THIS rat is mad as hell and won't take it no 'mo.
She also put in an application for work at someplace other than her current employer.
This concludes my regulalrly scheduled rant.
10 comments:
Been there, done that. You tell the Mrs. to stick to her guns. Her health is NOT worth their greed.
(Rant over)
Sue: I'm all over it. I sent her an ancouraging e-mail this morning. So far what feedback I am getting is positive. (Crosses fingers).
Al, I have to say that your title sent me into hysterics, which I sorely needed, what with being home on the couch sick. That is an awesome line and I appreciate that someone else uses it randomly like I do, let alone knows the joke! (You do, right?)
As for Mrs A, I wish her lots of cojones and luck. Rats bite back, and she shouldn't be afraid to do so, is all I'm sayin'!
Sarah: Yes I know the joke behind the line. A lot of times I get funny looks when I use it because people don't.
Sorry to hear you are not feeling well. Get well soon!
As I'm sure you know, if The Company does NOT comply with medical orders (she was on Short Term Disability, no?), they are in for a real headache.
If The Company doesn't follow the restricted leave to a "T", Mrs. A should immediately contact her doctor. The doctor should immediately a) fax the list of can/can't dos b)inform the Powers that Be that Mrs. A. must leave immediately or c)convert her to Long Term Disability, compliments of the Company.
Restricted, "less than 40" leave should be line-itemed by the doctor, and y'all should keep a copy of the list on the fridge at home. Just in case The Company 'loses their copy'.
Best of luck to both of you!
Renn: Know exactly what you are talking about. My brother is the local city attorney, and my sister is the local Teamsters Contract Negotiator. If they take one mistep, our mortgage will be paid off, and I can retire.
But thanks for the advice.
Wow...that sucks for Mrs. A.
It's a shame when that happens to companies. They start out all "mom and pop"-ish...they appreciate their employees and treat them great....but then they get too big for their britches and it all goes to hell in a handbasket.
Sounds like you have some "heavy" weight on your side if they get nasty with her...
Here's hoping they behave and she is feeling better soon.
PQ: She's doing better now that she is only working four days a week, with every Wednesday off, and a little help. That's such a civilized schedule. Work two days, get a day off. Work two days, get two days off.
Sue: Everything is smooth sailing so far. (Crosses fingers)
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