Speak free

Blame it on the weather man

Well as you all know the entire country came to a stand still over the snow and ice that we recently experienced. Obviously these are quite exceptional circumstances and we have not experienced weather like this for years. I was busy sunning myself in Australia when everyone got snowed in, in December 2008/ January 2009 so missed all the hype, but this year – Oh my word, what a disaster. Now I live 18 miles away from my workplace and the A road that I take is notorious for fatal crashes at the best of times, so there was no way that I was going to put my life at risk to travel in and most likely write off my car, or even worse – die.

So I call in to work and advise I can’t get there, and that’s all fine, my supervisor advises me to take care and hopes to see me the next day. Yeah right. I can’t even go out of my house for 4 days I’m so snowed in. Unfortunately for me, the supervisors all live locally to work and so can walk in, and the snow was actually nowhere near as bad there as it was in my town, the next county on. Due to this, the patience and understanding starts to grow thin on their part. Oh I’m sorry. Is it my fault? Can I actually snap my fingers and control the weather? Do I have a 4-wheel drive? NO.

Finally on my return to work – 4 days later, I am informed that I need to take this as annual leave or make up my hours. Now I really must say, employers should be a little more humane and sensitive in understanding that no job on this planet is worth risking your life for. What is wrong with this country? Why are we so OBSESSED with being at work no matter what the consequences? Heaven forbid we miss a couple of days because our front door won’t open to 12 foot of snow, lets penalise us all instead - the world is not going to end!!!!!!

I had a chat with my boss about this situation and said I was not happy to take the time off my annual leave allowance, as the adverse weather conditions were out of my control, so it was ‘agreed’ I would make this time up. I asked what provisions are in place should this happen next year, as undoubtedly it will due to global warming and all that, and the answer was none. Fabulous. Well prepared then. She then asked if I could take a bus or taxi the 18 miles to work instead!!! Okay miss, you tell me what buses and taxis are driving that treacherous road then?????? And are you going to pay for the taxi??

I have not long finished making up my hours, and they have been the most exhausting weeks of my life. I’m so tired now I can barely function, so that’s very counter-productive on their part I must say.

Next year I will ask for a 4-wheel drive for Christmas. Failing that a pair of wings so I can fly instead, because there is no way on earth they are stealing my holiday allowance off me.

Failing both of those, I just need to find a man, marry him for a visa and then emigrate somewhere hot. Any offers???