Look people, I am the same as the next worker, I hate nothing more than people that come to work without the intention of actually working, or who spend their whole day trying to find a way out of their tasks. Yet, that's only when these individuals actually show up for work. At least when they show up, they get one of their jobs done while trying to kill time and trick people into thinking they're busy.
That's not to say that calling out is a bad thing, things come up, bad things happen, and life goes on. I'm referring to the abuse of calling out that many specific types of people engage in. You'll know who they are instantly. These people, when put on the schedule, have everyone holding their breath, wondering if/when they'll show up for work. They call out weekly and always have a new reason, and when they are at work, they rarely do it.
Anyone who has worked with people that do this, know how frustrating it can be. Maybe you've been the person that's been left alone to pick up the extra slack, or maybe you're the one being called in on your first day off in months. Yet, the real kicker is knowing that no matter how much everyone complains and rolls their eyes as that phone rings before each shift, these people never get into the true trouble the reliable ones would get in. The unreliables can call out on a whim, be complained about, but never punished. The reliables always seem to get the crap and their reasoning is usually challenged.
Cue my main reasoning for my vent. Someone explain to me how someone potentially calling out because they overslept or because their boyfriend made them sad is perfectly fine, but calling out during a hurricane is unacceptable! What's frustrating is that I just started this job, so I'm sure they'll pin this betrayal on my clothing as the mortal sin it is, but seriously?! It's a pretty good reason. That's to say, of course, that the hurricane is actually in my area. It is frustrating for people to have me call out, but I'm in training mode anyway, so it shouldn't be that big of a deal.
Here's the story. It's a hurricane, I drive a sports car- flooding water plus rear wheel drive plus driving through water in a low car equals bad things, and potentially, no car for a while. I can ford the river, but I only have one oxen and I'm not wasting it like that. So, my dad agreed to bring me in his truck, which works out fine, but then morning came, out road is only being used for emergency vehicles and various parts are blocked off for utility vehicles picking up road debrise, and this freaking storm hasn't even officially started at this point.
At this point, I was getting angry and frustrated that he wouldn't bring me in to work, because I knew, being new and all, despite the situation, I would look like one of 'those' people I mentioned earlier. As we looked at the damage outside of our home, I went back inside, asking every few minutes, 'So we can't go?', over and over. As it got closer to the time when I should've been leaving, I was getting anxious. Then I heard the news reports saying that the storm wasn't really even here yet and that it would be closer in a few hours or so, which gave me an idea and understanding of what was going through my dad's head. Even if he somehow managed to get me in, he wouldn't be able to get me out.
I had no one to call, I don't have phone numbers, since I'm too new and didn't think about asking, and it's the weekend so no one will be answering the phones. That meant I had to wait about 20 mins until I was due in. I made the dreaded call, and let me tell you, I was even angrier when I hung up the phone. I made my story short, but the same as what I said before, that I couldn't come in because my ride wouldn't take me and my road was being blocked by payloaders going in and out picking up stuff, and I couldn't drive my car in either. A. because my parents said no, (so I'd be stranded if anything happened) and B. It's brand new, I've made two payments on it in all and I'm sorry, but I'm not tempting fate to make it in for one shift and ruin my car so I can't many it in to work for the rest of the month or more.
The response? Basically he didn't believe me. How don't you believe me? I live 10 minutes from work on a good day. The weather isn't that much different. Unless my road is the only thing hit. To be honest, I'm putting my life at stake to vent about this idiot since half of the tree outside already fell off and just missed hitting this room. 'How can there be trees down, it's not even windy'. What an ass, hope you're having fun in your little world sir, hope a tree doesn't crash through your little bubble. Seriously, if you're going to be annoyed, keep it to yourself at least and be rude when you hang up the phone, don't be snarky, tell me the weather is lovely, and then hang up on me.
I worked at my last job for three years, and I didn't call out once, so calling out isn't something I do often, only when it's really windy
