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This post is for people who have a family, and by family it could be kids, uncles, pets, or anyone you consider to be part of your life in a familial way.
When you have a family, it is always difficult to achieve some sort of "work life balance". By the way, I have no idea what that means, because work always tends to take away from family, so I'm not sure there's really any balance. In fact, I would argue 95% of people working have an imbalance and those who don't probably aren't working. Or at least not working in the conventional sense. Regardless, there are always managers who want you to devote your entire life to the company...even in death. Read on and you'll see what I mean.
My wife related a story to me about a horrible experience with a regional manager for a diabetes pump company, who appeared devoid of compassion or feelings with regards to business. Keep in mind, there are considerable number of these managers out there, ruining the lives of their employees because they want to get ahead. It's pretty pathetic, and tragic as well.
About 10 years ago, my wife's mother passed away and she had been grieving for about two weeks. Naturally, she was compelled to cancel all her speaking engagements, because she was depressed about losing her mom. She called the company's regional sales manager, who had set up the engagement, and was surprised by the reaction. I have paraphrased the phone conversation but it went something like this:
"Hello_______. Unfortunately, I'm calling to let you know that I don't think I'll be able to make my speaking engagement at the end of this month. I'm so sorry that I can't make it. My mother recently passed away and I feel I need to be home to help my family through this difficult time."
"Oh really? I'm so sorry, when did she pass away?"
"Uh...About two weeks ago. My family is still grieving. And I think I need to be here for my father and the rest of the family. I'm sure you understand."
"Two weeks ago? The conference is in 3 weeks. You don't think you'll be over it by then? You see we don't have a back up speaker for this conference."
My wife almost dropped the phone, "Excuse me. I must not have heard you correctly. Did you say, don't you think you'll be over it? Over it? You do realize my mother died. You're not serious?"
"Oh right, right. I'm just concerned we don't have a speaker to replace you, and this puts us in a bind. Can you recommend anyone?"
"I have to say, I'm still a bit shocked by your lack of compassion. Have you ever lost a parent?"
"No. No I haven't. But I did lose my grandmother last year, and I understand it takes a bit of time. But that'll be five weeks, are you sure you can't make it? I'm in a bit of a bind here."
At this point my wife lost her composure. "I can't believe what I'm hearing! I did say my mother died. Did you hear that part? And no, I don't think I'll be able to MAKE IT! And I won't be recommending anyone or speaking for your company ever again. Unbelievable! Goodbye."
"Wait I didn't...."
My wife hung up the phone and threw it into the couch cushions. It immediately started ringing again, she picked it up, looked at it. Dropped it and began sobbing. Through her tears she mumbled.
"Family always comes first...always. How could she not know that? How could she not care?"
My response, "Some people are selfish."
Her response, "Some people are assholes."
Touche...
SFTD
