Work Hard, But Don't Kill Yourself in the Process!
“Mary Jane” has been an excellent employee most of her life. She has worked hard, has gone above and beyond the call of duty, traveled three weeks out of each month to make sure all her accounts were doing great, remembered everyone’s birthdays and anniversaries in her company, and dedicated herself like no other, despite serious health challenges.
I personally know Mary Jane and she is a wonderful person as well. She is kind, genuine and thoughtful.
A few months back Mary Jane went back to headquarters for meetings and other business-related issues. When they broke for lunch, Mary Jane became very sick and ended up in a hospital. When she was well enough to talk, this is what Mary Jane told us:
“Despite the fact I left after lunch, not one person from the group bothered to find out why I hadn’t returned to the office.
“After they did find out, days later, not one person called to see how I was doing.
“Not one person has sent a Get Well card.
“These are people I thought were my friends.”
Mary Jane is currently waiting for a lung transplant. She remains upbeat and optimistic, but will not be returning to a company where no one cares. I don’t blame her.
Mary Jane always put her company first. Now she is paying the price.
Don’t misunderstand me, I do believe in working hard, and being a good employee, but not at the risk of your health and wellbeing.
Killing yourself at work is not the way to go about things.
Work hard, but remember you and your loved ones need to come first. Your time, your health, and your family need to become priority.
Remember, if you’re no longer around, your company will find a replacement. Your family won’t.
Slipstream
You are so right. Companies expect more and more from employees every day. Many expect 24/7 responses to texts, emails, phone calls, and meetings. Even vacation requires being on-call.
I hope this is a wake-up call to those who read this that are under the thumb of their company as Mary Jane was. Your last statement hits the nail on the head. Thanks!
Sanatana
I just talked to a woman today who was responsible for taking care of our company insurance needs. She was let go, without any good reason, after 13 years. She was crushed. She's 61 years old and now she's having a difficult time finding another job in her field. When I worked with her, she was excellent at her job. She wakes up at 2:00 a.m. every night trying to figure out what happened. I told her to get some sleep because she never would. Thirteen-years and they just tossed her away like old trash.
Evangel
Employers like to "weed" out their older employees--as if on the face of things they are ruining their pristine garden patch. That, of course, is discriminatory and illegal. If they didn't show just cause, age may be the reason. Hopefully they gave her a nice retirement package but it doesn't sound likely. She should consult a legal expert.
Evangel
Companies don't have a soul, regardless what their ads or brand marketing slogans want you to believe. A soul would interfere with their profit motive.
Corporate culture is inhospitable soil for personal soul growth. Instead it pats you on the back for detaching from yourself, but you won't see it happening. You're like the frog in boiling water cooking to death unaware.
I hope people remember "Mary Jane" next time they feel confident their colleagues have their back. It's fantasy, despite all the fun social times. They'll be too busy and absorbed in work to care.
Sanatana
You're right, it is a fantasy. Companies care about themselves and themselves only. It's up to us to do what we need to do to stay sane, healthy while working.