And I don’t regret a thing. This happened a while ago but I thought you’d all enjoy this story.
My work abused my role as an essential worker (I was a phone operator in the healthcare industry) and demanded 8 weeks notice for any holiday requests, including the amendment or cancellation of previously booked holidays.
I worked weekends only, and we were continually understaffed and overworked. I had booked out 3 weeks holiday for study leave, which I then tried to cancel. This cancellation was refused as it wasn’t in the 8 week timeframe, so I was made to take my holidays. As a result, I used all of my allocated annual leave. The company sent mass begging texts (which I also received) looking for people to cover those weekend shifts.
Summer comes along and Covid has cancelled my university graduation. My friend organised a garden party for us all on a Saturday afternoon to celebrate, and I knew it was likely to be the only celebration we would ever get.
I desperately tried to swap shifts with coworkers, but was denied because I had “essential” training booked in that day (basically e-learning). They said that I was on the rota as having that training, and that they couldn’t possibly change the online system.
I was having a rant to one of the older coworkers there, who basically sat me down and gave me a proper antiwork talk. And honestly, my mind was blown. I was quite naive, and I’d been taught my whole life never to make a fuss or rock the boat. She suggested faking an illness and calling their bluff, because who in their right mind would prioritise work in this situation.
So I did. Just 2 weeks after sending a mass begging email asking for a shift swap, I called in sick and went out and enjoyed the time with my friends. We had cocktails, took pictures in our gowns, ate cake and got the celebration we deserved. I can now look back at those pictures and think “thank fuck one of my coworkers told me to call in sick”. It would’ve eaten me up if I’d sat at my call centre job, knowing that I was missing out on spending that time with my friends.
Fuck missing memories for a workplace that would replace me in a heartbeat. Also, I quit 2 months later to work for a company who requires almost 0 notice for annual leave, instead of this 8 week bullshit. My only regret is not taking both the Saturday and Sunday off sick.