Weather-related vent

[pistolchick]

I just need to vent. I will begin with a disclaimer:

I am very aware of what a "cake" nursing job I have with regard to hours, holidays and weather. I worked in a hospital for years and we trudged to work in whatever weather we had - we had no choice. We had to go to work.

Right now I work in a multi-specialty office. I LOVE my job and I LOVE my co-workers. I also love the docs with whom I work and I consider myself very lucky.

I live about ten minutes away from my office. This is not an accident - I choose to live just outside the city where I work, and I choose to work in this setting, where the pay is considerably lower (I took a pay cut to take this job). My husband and I were aware when we bought our house that we could get a LOT more house for the same money if we moved 30 miles away in any direction - but we really wanted to live here in town.

I live closer to work than any nurse in my office. Some of my nursing colleagues live as far as an hour away. They are great nurses, and very responsible individuals. They will almost always attempt to come to work, even in bad weather. Very rarely have any of them not at least ATTEMPTED, even in very bad weather.

My office manager, also a nurse, also lives far away. She is very sensitive to the dangers that this winter weather can bring, and is quick to release people to go home if the weather turns when we're already at the office. Furthermore, she'll tell people not to come in at all if we're looking at heavy snow or ice the next day.

Naturally, it's the people who live furthest that are the first to be dismissed. This makes sense; and I wouldn't have it another way. I have high regard for the safety of my co-workers who have long, dangerous distances to travel. It's just that I feel that no one has any regard for ME.

Recently during a snowstorm in which the snow came down hard and fast, I overheard my manager tell another person: "I've sent everyone home who was anxious to go. No, there's no one still here who is really worried about driving."

Nobody. Ever. Asked.

I'm not saying I'd put myself in front of someone who had to drive dozens of miles further, but I don't appreciate the presumption that just because I live relatively close to work means that

1. I don't mind driving in treacherous weather or

2. I can't possibly spin out/get into an accident/DIE on my way home

In fact, I DID spin around on the road on my way home from work that day. I felt very fortunate that nobody was close enough to hit me.

To reiterate, I feel very lucky to work in an office environment - sometimes if the weather looks like it's going to be impassable, we will reschedule everyone in advance and close for a day. This has happened only once, but I appreciate that they consider it in light of very dangerous weather.

I just never want to get painted with this, "Oh, she doesn't mind," brush just because I live close. I live close on purpose; I have a tiny house because I live close; I have a little child and a husband whom I'm not ready to part with, and I can STILL have an accident on my way to/from work, even if it's only 10 miles.

That's all.

[ktwlpn, LPN]

YOU have to make your feelings known. Don't be passive/aggressive, tell them you expect the same consideration. I read somewhere that a large percentage of fatal accidents occur during short commutes (I can't remember where I got that info)

[pistolchick]

I'm not sure how I'm being passive aggressive. In fact, unless venting anonymously on the 'net counts as PA behavior, I know I'm not. It seems to me, if I were to mention this, I'd start getting sent ahead of my long distance co workers. Not only do I not want that, that would create bitterness, and ultimately probably lead to PA behavior... Towards myself.

[Nurse ABC]

I get you! Yes it's inconsiderate. Could you maybe approach your manager privately and say that although you live closer than others you feel as if your somehow getting punished for living close because even though you don't have as far to drive it's still very slippery and makes you nervous when the roads are bad so next time would she please ask if you feel you need to leave early. She's obviously just assuming since you live close you'll be ok. I'd also mention you did spin on the road last time so now you want to not wait as long to leave if possible.

[ktwlpn, LPN]

I'm not sure how I'm being passive aggressive. In fact, unless venting anonymously on the 'net counts as PA behavior, I know I'm not. It seems to me, if I were to mention this, I'd start getting sent ahead of my long distance co workers. Not only do I not want that, that would create bitterness, and ultimately probably lead to PA behavior... Towards myself.

I think if you don't say something that's passive aggressive behavior because it clearly causes you concern. I didn't think you meant you wanted to get sent home before anyone else but simply at the same time, why should they keep the office open as long as they can because they have you available to take advantage of? And that is the very definition of " taking advantage." Certainly asking for the same consideration shown to everyone else won't cause a problem with your co-workers and really, who comes first? Your family or them?

I'm just showing you some support. We see too many threads on here illustrating extremes-we either are bullies and pushing everyone around or we are door mats.I don't think there is a thing wrong with looking out for ourselves and out own interests and I agree that you are NOT being treated fairly.I'm curious to see what others have to say..

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Nothing wrong with telling the culprit that her comments made you feel discounted and less valued than your co-workers. I'm sure it was not intentional. People are not mind-readers.