Would You Go to Work if a Tsunami Were Scheduled to Hit?
If you woke up and saw that the weather forecast indicated a tsunami was on its way toward the east coast would you head to work? What are you looking for, brownie points? All of the brownie points in the world won't save your job if the building and your boss are wiped out by "mother nature".
If you feel like I do, you'd think "Bump that. If the east coast survives the tsunami, I'd have an awesome excuse for calling out!" Am I making light of the tragedy in Japan? On the contrary; I was one of the thousands of folks who walked across the 59th Street Bridge in Manhattan on 9/11. On that day, plenty of employees in the Twin Towers thought they'd win brownie points by obeying the announcements and their bosses when they were told to not panic, remain calm and to await further instruction. Common sense told them to get the heck out of there but they feared that if no harm came to their floor they'd get fired for leaving their posts. I know the feeling. I used to always fear getting fired if I needed to call out due to inclement weather. Therefore, I didn't. I even made my way into the office when I felt ill.
Inclement weather is a very good reason not to go into work. The roads are dangerously slippery, the drivers who got their licenses out of bubble-gum machines seem to come out like a pack of wolves, and it's easier to get stranded somewhere if your car breaks down. I recall a snow storm in 2002. I was working as a secretary for URS Corporation in Center City. I was basically snowed in where I lived in New Jersey. I was relieved when I was informed that I could choose to work or stay home. I decided to remain at home. However, I had to declare it a personal day (I got paid but I lost a day off that I could've used later in the year for some other obligation).
So, who would report to work if a tsunami was approaching? Those who have an obligation to the community most likely would. Firemen, doctors, paramedics, pharmacists, nurses, gas station attendants, 911 operators, etc. would have an ethical responsibility to at least attempt to show up.
When I was in grade school I looked forward to getting that Perfect Attendance award. But, I assure you that no such an award would be worth risking my life or well-being for. There are Japanese workers risking their lives in the nuclear plants to help minimize how much the citizens there are exposed to nuclear radiation. So, my hat goes off to them and to the dedicated workers in our country who make their way to work in rain, sleet, snow, blizzards, heat waves, and potentially in the midst of a tsunami.
Notwithstanding, don't try to be a hero if there is a threat of an earthquake, a tsunami or any other natural disaster. After all, (figuratively speaking) you can't be another person's lifeguard if you're drowning yourself.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IFDZw...
If you feel like I do, you'd think "Bump that. If the east coast survives the tsunami, I'd have an awesome excuse for calling out!" Am I making light of the tragedy in Japan? On the contrary; I was one of the thousands of folks who walked across the 59th Street Bridge in Manhattan on 9/11. On that day, plenty of employees in the Twin Towers thought they'd win brownie points by obeying the announcements and their bosses when they were told to not panic, remain calm and to await further instruction. Common sense told them to get the heck out of there but they feared that if no harm came to their floor they'd get fired for leaving their posts. I know the feeling. I used to always fear getting fired if I needed to call out due to inclement weather. Therefore, I didn't. I even made my way into the office when I felt ill.
Inclement weather is a very good reason not to go into work. The roads are dangerously slippery, the drivers who got their licenses out of bubble-gum machines seem to come out like a pack of wolves, and it's easier to get stranded somewhere if your car breaks down. I recall a snow storm in 2002. I was working as a secretary for URS Corporation in Center City. I was basically snowed in where I lived in New Jersey. I was relieved when I was informed that I could choose to work or stay home. I decided to remain at home. However, I had to declare it a personal day (I got paid but I lost a day off that I could've used later in the year for some other obligation).
So, who would report to work if a tsunami was approaching? Those who have an obligation to the community most likely would. Firemen, doctors, paramedics, pharmacists, nurses, gas station attendants, 911 operators, etc. would have an ethical responsibility to at least attempt to show up.
When I was in grade school I looked forward to getting that Perfect Attendance award. But, I assure you that no such an award would be worth risking my life or well-being for. There are Japanese workers risking their lives in the nuclear plants to help minimize how much the citizens there are exposed to nuclear radiation. So, my hat goes off to them and to the dedicated workers in our country who make their way to work in rain, sleet, snow, blizzards, heat waves, and potentially in the midst of a tsunami.
Notwithstanding, don't try to be a hero if there is a threat of an earthquake, a tsunami or any other natural disaster. After all, (figuratively speaking) you can't be another person's lifeguard if you're drowning yourself.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IFDZw...
No comments have been added yet.
