Today I called out of work (kind of) for the first time in my life. I'm a hairstylist at one of those chain salons that are on every corner. I've been working at this specific salon for a little over two years and am the assistant manager. On Sundays, two people are needed to cut hair, but three stylists is preferred since Sundays are super busy. Well, like everywhere else we're short staffed and only had two people schedule ( me and peggy) for today. The way the salon works is no matter how sick you are, you show up unless you get it covered.
I have ptsd (domestic abuse), anxiety, and depression but I function very well. No one would ever know I have mental issues. Last night I had a terrible episode, didn't sleep and tried to get my shift covered, but no one would take it. I show up to the salon and cry as I count the money. Suddenly, an extra person, Eric, walks through the door. For some reason he got sent to our store to help out. So I ask them if it's okay if I leave, and they say yes so I leave. Not even 15 minutes into my drive home, the area manager is blowing up my phone for not getting my shift covered, even though there's enough people to work the salon. It's also frustrating because the last two Sundays I worked by myself (which is very unsafe) because of other people being sick. I'm trying to get my therapist to write sick note.
TLDR: I've worked in unsafe conditions to keep this salon afloat, but when I'm mentally unwell and there's coverage, suddenly I'm a terrible employee.