When we think of work, we think of getting out of bed early, working long hours, ungrateful bosses ,who expect too much of us, work we probably don’t enjoy, but need ,to make ends meet, it can be draining to go to work. Especially those of us who do a day’s work before we leave the house, getting kids ready for school ,lunches and of course listening to the kids argue over what television programme they like to watch while eating breakfast before there day begins at school, sound like a typical household?
Recently I took three months off work, a much needed break and a few things going on in my life, I thought at the time I wouldn’t return to work for I felt unwell and drained, stupidly I presumed that no one would really miss me. I got on the phone to my boss after some considerable time summoning up courage to call her to tell her I was leaving due to ill health. Dials the number, she answers so sweetly , nervously I blurted out my plight to her and rambled for a bit, then anxiously waited for her reply, after a little pause, where I suppose she was assessing the situation and what I’d just told her , she said, well why don’t you take unpaid leave and when your better come back. MY goodness I thought ,I didn’t expect that answer, bosses are supposed to be uncaring and not worry about their workers, so I said, sure I’d love that”, all the while thinking, that’s amazing she didn’t want me to leave.
The very next week I was sitting there feeling a bit blue, when a knock comes at my door, in comes my boss with a pink plant dressed in a ribbon my colleagues had all pitched in to buy me, with a beautiful card, again busted’, here I was thinking no one cared and no one would miss me at work.
In poured the text messages and good wishes from everyone. The most common being hurry up come back we miss you.
I ventured out shopping after a few weeks had passed by and ran into clients of mine they would tell me how much they missed me and again when are you coming back to work?
So that really blew that theory out of the water.. some people really do value others input into their lives and care. some work places really cherish there workers and team leaders can be compassionate and understanding, as is my boss. sometimes we get sick or our family members get sick it’s just life or sometimes respite is needed, it’s nice to know that available.
It is hard getting to work someday as kids are needing our help and attention, but I try to remember when I walk out the door I take my mother’s hat off and my work that goes on, there are other people who are relying on me..
Have you ever noticed how the week flies when you’re at work and how much more you enjoy planning your weekends, you know why? cause your busy and your doing something worthwhile that’s makes you feel proud and happy.
So if ever I thought I was in a thankless job or felt what I was doing wasn’t worth while I certainly have changed my mind.
It was beautiful to see a couple of my clients jump up and down with excitement and joy to see me back at work and in that instance I thought this is what it’s all about, making people happy ,including me, being at work is the best thing I’ve ever done,
It helps us to grow as people, to learn to be a team player and value others opinions and respect what others have to say as their ideas maybe different than ours but never the less valuable. so the moral of the story is, if you’re a worker who gives to the best of your ability then you’ll be given back tenfold in your hour of need, cherish your work and if you have a good boss then let them know so they don’t feel they are in a thankless job.
Your boss should be applauded, she could have easily accepted you were leaving and hired someone else.
A nice story.