I work in advertising for an agency. If you have also worked at an agency, this won’t surprise you.
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Me six months ago: Hi guys I have some news. [Family member] is terminal and has been given six months. I’m okay to work now but I am also caretaking so I will need to reduce my hours as it gets closer.
Work: I’m so sorry. We will do everything we can to support you.
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Work three months ago: Hey OP your performance is falling, what’s going on?
Me: Hey sorry, I’ve been struggling heaps with my situation both emotionally and mentally. Caretaking has been so difficult. As I’m the only person in my role I have been unable to take much leave, what can we do?
Work: So sorry to hear, yes we are trying to find someone but the market is so tight (it is tight but I hear they just threw a job up on Indeed and refused to get a headhunter or recruiter)
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Me two weeks ago: hey guys, the time has come. I need to take leave. I can’t do any work. I need to spend all my time at work. I’m so busy with caretaking.
Work: Ok but we don’t have anyone except you. We need you around, you can’t just leave.
Me: Ok well I quit. You don’t understand she is DYING. I told you six months ago.
Work: YOU CAN’T. How could you screw us like this? What can we do? How can we find someone else for your role who doesn’t exist?
Me: I am entitled to leave and I am taking it. If you don’t like it, fire me.
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I have just put on an out of office and have been taking leave anyway (I have 3 paid weeks in my contract) because I can’t handle it and they keep ringing me at the hospital.
Fucking hell.