I HATE THIS #@$%^&* WEATHER

[terpkristin]

I HATE THIS WEATHER.
I HATE THE DUMB#%^#&*S AT WORK WHO SAY ON THE INCLEMENT WEATHER LINE "We are open today but we encourage you to use leave or work from home today if you can, as the roads are extremely treacherous." I'm sorry but if the roads are shiat why are you forcing people to come into work if they don't have leave to use? Because as I discovered this morning, the VPN connection to work isn't working and the web-access mail died about 30 minutes ago, so there is NOTHING I can do from home now, and my little front-wheel drive car can't get out of my parking space at my apartment complex, much less drive the craptastic roads to go all of 5 miles to go to my office.

So now, when I have work that needs to be done (we have a HUGE review next week) and no leave hours to take (ok, technically I can go negative on leave, but I'd rather not, especially since I'm taking a week off in the middle of March for my best friend's wedding and will DEFINITELY be in the red then), I'm f^#&*(#)%ing marooned until either a) it thaws enough such that I can get out (not looking good for today given it isn't supposed to get above freezing) or b) I find some other way.

Of course today I also have a doctor's appointment for my hand (I'm HOPING to get this stupid cast off my hand, but I'm not overly optimistic on that) and I don't think I'm going to be able to get out for that, either. A neighbor was kind enough to inform me that I needed a shovel to get out (oh really!?! you know, as a rocket scientist, I couldn't figure that out) but a) don't have one of those, have never needed it before, b) with my hand in a cast, I can't really shovel anyway and c) with the stupid cast I can't put on my real winter coat or wear gloves so I'm already miserable standing outside trying to de-ice my car and kick out whatever ice under my wheels that I can.

I AM SO F%^&*PISSED. Screw you, work and mother nature.

/tk

[SirFozzie]

Holy shit, someone created a "I hate the Weather" thread, and it wasn't me? :D

[KevinNU7]

I hate the weather too, I wanted to get like 36inches of snow today and it looks like my area is getting dusting follow by sleet/rain

[FrogMan]

forecasts are for 12-16 inches, maybe up to 20 inches in some areas around here, starting this afternoon and snowing through the night until tomorrow. The one good news about it is that we should not see sleet or rain up here. The other good news is that I have 24.5 hours of paid leave time accumulated so tomorrow morning won't need to look very bad for me to make the call of staying at home with the boys :)

FM

[wade moore]

I find it funny when people expect their work to gift them a day off cause there's a little bit of snow on the ground, but that's just me.

[terpkristin]

I find it funny when people expect their work to gift them a day off cause there's a little bit of snow on the ground, but that's just me.

If they hadn't added the tongue-in-cheek "[snipped out because it wasn't really in their statement] the roads are extremely treacherous" I wouldn't have minded. It's when they say something asinine like that that makes me go hmmm...

It would also be ok if the damn VPN and web-access were working, but neither are. And a call to Helpdesk has been useless (no response so far).

[added] I have no qualms about working, if I could, but when I can't get my car out (so far 2 tries and no love--at least here where I am the wet snow turned into a block of ice), and the options for working from home aren't working, I'm pissed I have to take leave.

/tk

[wade moore]

If they hadn't added the tongue-in-cheek "be careful because the roads are extremely treacherous" I wouldn't have minded. It's when they say something asinine like that that makes me go hmmm...:rolleyes:

[terpkristin]

Yes wade, I know, I'm whining. And the work thing just irks me because the "other work options" aren't working. I'd almost rather be at work getting stuff done than here where the tv has been bogarted by the president's news conference, but all in all I'm just annoyed that I have to use leave when I would be able to work if the VPN were working (still no reply from Helpdesk, either, ,even the customary "we got your ticket, we're working on it").

And I'm annoyed that I can't get out to go to my doc's appointment. And not being able to wear gloves or a real jacket while spending all the time outside trying to get my car out makes it that much more miserable.

I'm a wuss. I acknolwedge it. ;)
/tk

[KevinNU7]

wade go away

[Toddzilla]

Yes wade, I know, I'm whining. And the work thing just irks me because the "other work options" aren't working. I'd almost rather be at work getting stuff done than here where the tv has been bogarted by the president's news conference, but all in all I'm just annoyed that I have to use leave when I would be able to work if the VPN were working (still no reply from Helpdesk, either, ,even the customary "we got your ticket, we're working on it").

And I'm annoyed that I can't get out to go to my doc's appointment. And not being able to wear gloves or a real jacket while spending all the time outside trying to get my car out makes it that much more miserable.

I'm a wuss. I acknolwedge it. ;)
/tkFWIW, I work in Ashburn, and I have to be at my office tomorrow, so if you are still marooned, let me know and I'll take you to work. :) Cause that's what friends do.

[Pumpy Tudors]

I want to start a petition to get rid of the "rolleyes" smiley.

[heybrad]

I know exactly what you mean. Last night I played basketball until around 11pm and when we were done, it was in the 40's and with the sweat on my shirt, it made it extra chilly for me. Boy, did I have to run quickly to my car. And this morning, UGH!, when I started the car I had to actually run the windshield wipers because there was some dew on the windshield. I mean, who has time for that? It's probably in the 60's right now, but I really prefer mid 70's. And I hear there might be some clouds later today. Fucking clouds.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Hey, Brad.

:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[Fidatelo]

Suck it up princess.

[Flame Eater]

In up-state NY we're standing ass-deep in snow right now with lots more coming. But, hey, at least it's warmed up to 9 degrees. So we got that going for us.

[Drake]

I'm posting this from my cell phone on the plane, while I'm on my way to California to murder heybrad in his sleep.

[Ironhead]

I went to work this morning and the power at my building was out due to the ice. Around 10 AM they announced that a decision had been made to close the building for the day because the power company did not expect power to be on until around 1 PM. I grabbed my stuff and as soon as I walked out of my wonderful carpeted cubicle the power came on in the building. I looked at the person in the cubicle next to me and we both took off running out of the building.

No take back closings for this employee!

[heybrad]

I'm posting this from my cell phone on the plane, while I'm on my way to California to murder heybrad in his sleep.
I had to read this a couple of times. The damn sun is shining so bright into my office window right now. :mad:

[Dr. Sak]

heybrad won't be laughing when Lex Luthor's plot of blowing California into the ocean goes through. He will be treading water while we all move to Costa Del Lex. Luthorville. Marina del Lex. or Otisburg

Miss Teschmacher!!!

[albionmoonlight]

Rightly or wrongly, placing the burden of bad weather on employees appears to be the standard way of doing business that I have seen.

Maybe you could take less than a week for the wedding, and that will make up for the vacation day today.

[henry296]

Just some more venting.

I'm posting this from Logan Airport waiting to get to Baltimore. Hoping the precipitation turns to rain for a long enough period to take off. Otherwise, I might end up being stuck here for over 48 hours. I was supposed to leave at 5:40 last night and my flight is the only one today that hasn't been cancelled yet. As for tomorrow, I might not make it out.

I never should've come on this one day business trip knowing the weather forecast, but was stubborn to think that since the snow wasn't in Boston until late yesterday, that I'd be able to get home last night.

[albionmoonlight]

Just some more venting.

I'm posting this from Logan Airport waiting to get to Baltimore. Hoping the precipitation turns to rain for a long enough period to take off. Otherwise, I might end up being stuck here for over 48 hours. I was supposed to leave at 5:40 last night and my flight is the only one today that hasn't been cancelled yet. As for tomorrow, I might not make it out.

I never should've come on this one day business trip knowing the weather forecast, but was stubborn to think that since the snow wasn't in Boston until late yesterday, that I'd be able to get home last night.

If I had to guess, I would say that Hell is being constantly raped by a bunch of deamons.

I would not, however, be suprised if Hell was actually being stranded at the airport.

[SnDvls]

If it helps we have the AC on here in AZ

[RawIsDan]

I know exactly what you mean. Last night I played basketball until around 11pm and when we were done, it was in the 40's and with the sweat on my shirt, it made it extra chilly for me. Boy, did I have to run quickly to my car. And this morning, UGH!, when I started the car I had to actually run the windshield wipers because there was some dew on the windshield. I mean, who has time for that? It's probably in the 60's right now, but I really prefer mid 70's. And I hear there might be some clouds later today. Fucking clouds.


lol

[finketr]

i drove through a damn blizzard yesterday morning from Chicago to Peoria.. right through Bloomington, IL which had its weather make national news because it was so bad...

however, my VPN stuff was working because I upgraded my employer's internet access in expectation of this and avian flu and other stuff..

[Desmond]

I find it funny when people expect their work to gift them a day off cause there's a little bit of snow on the ground, but that's just me.

As far as douches go, you rank highly.

[rkmsuf]

what better high rated douche or low rate dildo

thanks

[wade moore]

As far as douches go, you rank highly.

You know, I've been staying out of this thread intentionally since I made this comment.

But I've finally given in.

Let's address this seriously. The company loses tons of money if they close for weather. So, they need to pick and choose when they close. The idea that because you work in an office environment so with a few flakes you should close, is just silly.

You'll expect for Target, the grocery store, your favorite restaurant, 7-11, etc, etc. to be open. How come they need to be out there for you but you can't get into your little car and go to your office job?

Sorry. I have been a manager for a place where people had to get in even in bad weather. People would find the littlest of snow and expect us to close. Businesses just can't afford to do that. Sure it's nice for the employee, but the companies are the ones that have to pay for it.

Call me a jerk, douche, whatever - but the sense of entitlement so many people have related to this issue is just out of control.

[Desmond]

You're talking about a few flakes. I'm of the understanding that she's dealing with a good amount of ice, snow and a broken hand. You're devaluing the severity situation to make a completely different point.

Besides, as accident prone as she is, i'm not sure I want her out in this weather either.

[Fidatelo]

I agree with Wade. Where I live we've had a 3 week cold-snap that has consistently had temperatures of -30 celcius and below. When it gets that cold many school divisions have to cancel bus service because it is just too dangerous for little Johnny to stand at the bus stop waiting for it to come (especially if it broke down on the way). But even though bus service is cancelled, the school is still open, and the kids are expected to attend. Not only that, but they likely don't get recess either because it's too cold.

My point is, if little Johnny the 4th grader can suck it up and go to school in bad weather, so can some lazy-ass grown-ups that don't want to get up an extra hour earlier to drive slowly and carefully to work.

[wade moore]

You're talking about a few flakes. I'm of the understanding that she's dealing with a good amount of ice, snow and a broken hand. You're devaluing the severity situation to make a completely different point.

Besides, as accident prone as she is, i'm not sure I want her out in this weather either.

Everyone has a different defition of "a few flakes"...

But even the federal government (which is generally pretty overly friendly in this area) only had a 2 hour delayed opening in the DC Area.

[stevew]

You're talking about a few flakes. I'm of the understanding that she's dealing with a good amount of ice, snow and a broken hand. You're devaluing the severity situation to make a completely different point.

Besides, as accident prone as she is, i'm not sure I want her out in this weather either.

Dude, that's what sick days are for. If you don't have any sick/personal days left in the ole bankerooni, then I guess you just aren't going to get paid.

[tarcone]

Im sitting here on my 2nd snow day because my town got 3 inches of snow. Im bored silly, and to top it off my 6 yr old went down the hill on an innertube in our front yard with her 5 yr old sister and ran into a rock. face first. man i would love to be at school right now.

[Desmond]

Everyone has a different defition of "a few flakes"...

Ok then. My bad.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Speaking of sick/personal days, I have unlimited sick and personal days. That's pretty neat, considering that I had none of either at my job in New Orleans.

[lordscarlet]

You're talking about a few flakes. I'm of the understanding that she's dealing with a good amount of ice, snow and a broken hand. You're devaluing the severity situation to make a completely different point.

Besides, as accident prone as she is, i'm not sure I want her out in this weather either.

I think you devalued your argument here. Her injury has nothing to do with whether the entire company should have been closed. The roads, in general, in the DC Metro area were safe enough to drive on. They can't account for everyone's unique situation (like living in Ashburn with a front-wheel-drive car and an inability to even shovel the car out because of an injury).

[Desnudo]

It's sunny here in Reno. Yet I'm in Reno...

[lordscarlet]

Speaking of sick/personal days, I have unlimited sick and personal days. That's pretty neat, considering that I had none of either at my job in New Orleans.

I get 10 sick days. It sucks. 10 vacation and 10 sick. Who the hell gets sick 10 days a year??

[terpkristin]

Everyone has a different defition of "a few flakes"...

But even the federal government (which is generally pretty overly friendly in this area) only had a 2 hour delayed opening in the DC Area.

Actually the uber kicker is that we're supposed to be following Fairfax County Gov't which also had a 2 hour delay but the message at work said on time, blah blah. Again, whatever there. Truthfully my company probably wouldn't have lost much money if it had closed down for a day to get their parking lots clear and stuff, but I can see Wade's point and yeah it's valid. Of course Johnny 4th grader (whoever said that) wasn't at school today and they've also already closed schools in my county for tomorrow, but that's another matter. They make the VPN and the web-access so that if for some reason you can't go to work, you can still work. Everybody has the ability to get it, which I wholeheartedly agree with and find progressive for the company. But that wasn't working, either (still haven't even gotten the confirmation that Helpdesk has received my ticket), so the options were to go into work (if I could get my car out) or call it a day. If it were as simple as not getting paid, that might have even been ok, but the way my company does it, nothing would have been "simple" (I need 2 supervisors to approve LWOP and then it has to get processed in Chandler, AZ, where our accounting is). In the end, I was whining, I have no qualms in saying that. When I couldn't get my car out, I was really left with one "option."

That said, on the 3rd try for moving my car (one at 7:30/8 a.m., one at 10, and the final one at 11:30), it took 30 minutes, 2 very nice guys who both looked like they were former football players pushing my car, and about 20 tries going back and forth but my car finally was freed such that I went to the doc and he removed my cast (but he still thinks there's something else wrong with my hand but ignorance is bliss on that to me). Have I mentioned that I think I'm going to buy a truck? ;) (Well, I am looking to replace my car, but I don't think I'll go with a truck)

I guess we'll see how getting out is tomorrow. This time I parked in a slot that wasn't on the side where the plow plows you in and hopefully it will be better (and thanks for the offer, Todd).

/tk

[lordscarlet]

Seriously? Fairfax County Schools get off if it rains or the sign is too bright.

[FrogMan]

Speaking of sick/personal days, I have unlimited sick and personal days. That's pretty neat, considering that I had none of either at my job in New Orleans.


what do you mean, you get unlimited sick days where you get paid?

For comparison, I "receive" 30 minutes of leave time per week. I can take this leave time for any sick day with little notice to be given and for anything personal, as long as I give 5 days notice. The 5 days thing is pretty much up to my boss though and I've take time off from my bank of time on very little notice. It's quite useful in the case of a kiddo that gets sick and I have to leave work in the middle of the day...

FM

[Toddzilla]

I didn't think you were allowed to live in Loudon County if you didn't own a truck of some sort....

[Pumpy Tudors]

what do you mean, you get unlimited sick days where you get paid?
This is correct.

[Toddzilla]

Seriously? Fairfax County Schools get off if it rains or the sign is too bright.Yeah, it seems they're pretty hyper-sensitive about the weather, but in their defense, a great deal of the county (in area, not population) consists of some very small roads and other byways that aren't easily accessed by big snow plows, etc. The county, by law, cannot selectively close some schools and leave others open, therefore everyone gets the day off when some places are iced under and won't be safe to travel on for a few days.

I live in Burke, and the road outside my hose was plowed 5 times before 7AM, so buses would have had no problem getting through. The same can't be said for Clifton.

[FrogMan]

I agree with Wade. Where I live we've had a 3 week cold-snap that has consistently had temperatures of -30 celcius and below. When it gets that cold many school divisions have to cancel bus service because it is just too dangerous for little Johnny to stand at the bus stop waiting for it to come (especially if it broke down on the way). But even though bus service is cancelled, the school is still open, and the kids are expected to attend. Not only that, but they likely don't get recess either because it's too cold.

My point is, if little Johnny the 4th grader can suck it up and go to school in bad weather, so can some lazy-ass grown-ups that don't want to get up an extra hour earlier to drive slowly and carefully to work.

I'm not sure I agree with your point here. It's not really Johnny who has to suck it up, but mostly his parents who will have to find a way to get him to school without a bus service. Then, once Johnny is at school, he's laughing cause he doesn't have to freeze his butt off since they don't get recess anyway...

Honestly, I've never heard of a business closing for bad weather, but you know, I live way up north, so we're geared to deal with that stuff. I've heard of plant closing, or allowing employees extra break during "extreme" heat in the summer. Remember that extreme heat for us is about 95F. :)

To each is own I guess...

FM

[FrogMan]

This is correct.

wow, any need to justify the absence or anything?

FM

[Toddzilla]

This is correct.That is a very progressive, and very smart, policy on the part of your company. Companies that have no restrictions on sick days report fewer days lost due to sickness as a whole than companies who have limits. Employees are more likely to stay home when they are sick thus avoiding getting other co-workers sick. Good for you, Pumpy.

[lordscarlet]

what do you mean, you get unlimited sick days where you get paid?

For comparison, I "receive" 30 minutes of leave time per week. I can take this leave time for any sick day with little notice to be given and for anything personal, as long as I give 5 days notice. The 5 days thing is pretty much up to my boss though and I've take time off from my bank of time on very little notice. It's quite useful in the case of a kiddo that gets sick and I have to leave work in the middle of the day...

FM

My fiance also gets unlimited sick days. If she's sick, she calls in. There is no tally. In comparison, though, far fewer sick days are taken at her company than mine. With 10 vacation and 10 sick (they get like 20 vacation and unlimited sick) people fake sick all the time. It should just be 20 "days" that can be used as vacation or sick, IMO.

Yeah, it seems they're pretty hyper-sensitive about the weather, but in their defense, a great deal of the county (in area, not population) consists of some very small roads and other byways that aren't easily accessed by big snow plows, etc. The county, by law, cannot selectively close some schools and leave others open, therefore everyone gets the day off when some places are iced under and won't be safe to travel on for a few days.

I live in Burke, and the road outside my hose was plowed 5 times before 7AM, so buses would have had no problem getting through. The same can't be said for Clifton.

I spent every year of school in Prince William County schools. It border Fairfax and is (especially back then) far more rural than Fairfax. However, we saw far fewer snow days than Fairfax ever did.

[terpkristin]

Seriously? Fairfax County Schools get off if it rains or the sign is too bright.

Yeah but Fairfax County Government...well, I don't know what to say about them other than that I live in Loudoun county, so I know nothing. ;) And that they had a 2 hour delay this a.m.

/tk

[wade moore]

Seriously? Fairfax County Schools get off if it rains or the sign is too bright.

I think she meant Fairfox County Government, not Fairfax County Schools - I'm pretty sure they operate differently and the Government isn't as liberal with dolling out snow days as the School System. In fact, I'm 99% sure I looked this morning and Fairfax County Schools were closed, not on a 2 hour delay.

I didn't think you were allowed to live in Loudon County if you didn't own a truck of some sort.... I'm With Stupid.

That is a very progressive, and very smart, policy on the part of your company. Companies that have no restrictions on sick days report fewer days lost due to sickness as a whole than companies who have limits. Employees are more likely to stay home when they are sick thus avoiding getting other co-workers sick. Good for you, Pumpy.

My company too. Essentially the "punishment" is that if you abuse it, you will end up getting fired. There's not a direct policy on it, but if you abuse you get put on a performance plan, and then if you continue you get fired. In addition, you have to get all kinds of doctor's stuff if you miss more than 2 days in a row.

I agree with Todd, I think it's a smart policy as long as you are smart about enforcing policies in place to avoid abuse.

[Pumpy Tudors]

wow, any need to justify the absence or anything?
Other than a phone call to your supervisor to say "I'm sick," no, there's nothing required. I was really surprised to hear this when I was being hired, but it seems to be the case.

Basically, as long as the boss knows about it and is OK with it, every absence is paid. The only place where it would hurt me is in my overtime, as I normally work about 46 hours per week. If I take a day off, I only get paid for 8 hours instead of the 9+ that I'd normally be here. It's still a good deal, though.

[SnDvls]

(I need 2 supervisors to approve LWOP and then it has to get processed in Chandler, AZ, where our accounting is).
/tk

I live in Chandler so let me know if I need to stop by there and tell them to hurry up and get their act together ;)

[sabotai]

I woke up this morning with my car completely (well, nearly completely) encased in 1 inch thick ice. Scrapping that off was fun.

[Clark]

I get 10 sick days. It sucks. 10 vacation and 10 sick. Who the hell gets sick 10 days a year??

I work for the State of Wisconsin. We get 16 days of paid sick leave per year. I would say 20% of my coworkers use all 16 days. It's like three extra weeks of vacation for them, it's ridiculous.
We also accumulate our unused sick leave. Right now I have approximately 146 days of sick leave I can use.

[st.cronin]

Every time I see this thread, I think of James Joyce's short story The Dead.

[terpkristin]

Where I work, I accrue a smidge over 4 hours of leave every 2 weeks. That's what we get, leave, to be used however we need/want to. Under normal circumstances, I'd probably not have too many issues banking it, but this past year was frought with visits to various doctor's appointments and 2nd opinions and other things related to my hand and ankle (I'm talking 2006, where I broke my hand somehow and doctors wanted to either do joint replacement or other weirdness, so I was running around trying to figure out what was going on, getting all sorts of scans, etc, not talking about this most recent break), had a death in the family, 4 different "family memeber in the hospital, need to stay at my parents' house to help out for a few days" events and I also took one day off to go to Hot Springs, AR to visit my brother and his wife. Under normal circumstances, leave wouldn't be a problem, but because of all the stuff that came up last year, I'm right at the 0 mark (actually very slightly under).

Oh well.

/tk

[CamEdwards]

So I'm at work this evening and not looking forward to the 16 mile drive home. It's already icy out there, though the drive in wasn't bad. Sorry to hear you couldn't make it out of your driveway, though part of me wishes I had that same problem today. :)

[terpkristin]

So I'm at work this evening and not looking forward to the 16 mile drive home. It's already icy out there, though the drive in wasn't bad. Sorry to hear you couldn't make it out of your driveway, though part of me wishes I had that same problem today. :)

Drive safely, Cam. :)

/tk

[st.cronin]

To tk and/or wade moore, I'm just wondering what you're expected to do in cases where the town/city doesn't plow your road? I live in a remote area, and there have been numerous days this winter where the road to my home was literally impassable, unless you had a team of sled dogs.

[Fidatelo]

To tk and/or wade moore, I'm just wondering what you're expected to do in cases where the town/city doesn't plow your road? I live in a remote area, and there have been numerous days this winter where the road to my home was literally impassable, unless you had a team of sled dogs.

Why should you get paid to sit at home because you apparently live in secluded area and don't own the sled dogs required to get you out of your driveway? This is not Company Z's problem, this is YOUR problem.

[st.cronin]

Why should you get paid to sit at home because you apparently live in secluded area and don't own the sled dogs required to get you out of your driveway? This is not Company Z's problem, this is YOUR problem.

Well, if that's how Company Z sees it, Employee st.cronin will soon be working for Company X. That's just an absurd attitude.

[Dr. Sak]

Why should you get paid to sit at home because you apparently live in secluded area and don't own the sled dogs required to get you out of your driveway? This is not Company Z's problem, this is YOUR problem.

I really hope you aren't a manager because if you are I bet your employees hate you.

[st.cronin]

I halfway think he was joking.

[Brillig]

You people crack me up - do any of you actually live in the real world? It's an employee's responsibility to figure out how to get to work - not his manager's. Now a reasonable manager will make allowances for unforseeable circumstances (accident, death in the family, etc.), but if you live in a rural area without snowplows and heavy snowfall in the winter, that's a forseeable circumstance, and you'd better have a plan to deal with it.

[st.cronin]

You people crack me up - do any of you actually live in the real world?

I do, in fact, live in the real world. And when the big storm came through in January, me and my woman stayed in a hotel in town. But I would not work for somebody with your attitude for even a single second.

[Brillig]

I do, in fact, live in the real world. And when the big storm came through in January, me and my woman stayed in a hotel in town. But I would not work for somebody with your attitude for even a single second.

That's cool, there are no end of qualified people willing to work for me. I don't need anyone with such a tenuous grasp of reality.

[Fidatelo]

You people crack me up - do any of you actually live in the real world? It's an employee's responsibility to figure out how to get to work - not his manager's. Now a reasonable manager will make allowances for unforseeable circumstances (accident, death in the family, etc.), but if you live in a rural area without snowplows and heavy snowfall in the winter, that's a forseeable circumstance, and you'd better have a plan to deal with it.

Thank you, this is what I was trying to say, only you did a much better job of it.

[st.cronin]

That's cool, there are no end of qualified people willing to work for me. I don't need anyone with such a tenuous grasp of reality.

That's cool, I've never had a problem finding human beings willing to hire me.

[Groundhog]

Other than a phone call to your supervisor to say "I'm sick," no, there's nothing required. I was really surprised to hear this when I was being hired, but it seems to be the case.

Basically, as long as the boss knows about it and is OK with it, every absence is paid. The only place where it would hurt me is in my overtime, as I normally work about 46 hours per week. If I take a day off, I only get paid for 8 hours instead of the 9+ that I'd normally be here. It's still a good deal, though.

A friend of mine has the same policy where he works. When I first heard it I assumed that people would abuse it, but according to him people don't take any more or less sick days than anywhere else he has worked.

Where I work we accrue unused sick days annually, and I currently have 31 sick days saved up. This is thanks largely to the dodgy method of reporting sick days that we used to have in the first couple of years I was here, causing around 2 years worth (at 10 a year) of sick days to not be subtracted.

[wade moore]

To tk and/or wade moore, I'm just wondering what you're expected to do in cases where the town/city doesn't plow your road? I live in a remote area, and there have been numerous days this winter where the road to my home was literally impassable, unless you had a team of sled dogs.

From my prespective - I'm not saying a business should never shutdown. I'm saying they have a decision to make about whether to open, and if they feel it should open then it's your responsibility to get in. I'm guessing that the times when your road was impassible it was a lot harsher conditions than what we're talking about in VA yesterday. Again, I used the gauge that the Federal Government, who is generally pretty liberal with this, only had a 2 hour delay.

So, I'm not saying a business should never shut down, but that when they don't then a "liberal leave" policy is completely fair.

[KevinNU7]

Other than a phone call to your supervisor to say "I'm sick," no, there's nothing required. I was really surprised to hear this when I was being hired, but it seems to be the case.

Basically, as long as the boss knows about it and is OK with it, every absence is paid. The only place where it would hurt me is in my overtime, as I normally work about 46 hours per week. If I take a day off, I only get paid for 8 hours instead of the 9+ that I'd normally be here. It's still a good deal, though.
I don't get OT but my company also does unlimited sick days. And the company that bought us out also does it too. I would imagine most of the Fortune 500 does it too since the research says unlimited = less sick days overall for the company.

[KevinNU7]

I think eveyone is missing the point of the inital rant. Her company said "roads are extremely treacherous" but her working from home option is not up and running.

[Butter]

I know exactly what you mean. Last night I played basketball until around 11pm and when we were done, it was in the 40's and with the sweat on my shirt, it made it extra chilly for me. Boy, did I have to run quickly to my car. And this morning, UGH!, when I started the car I had to actually run the windshield wipers because there was some dew on the windshield. I mean, who has time for that? It's probably in the 60's right now, but I really prefer mid 70's. And I hear there might be some clouds later today. Fucking clouds.

Hey, enjoy that next earthquake.

[stevew]

Why should you get paid to sit at home because you apparently live in secluded area and don't own the sled dogs required to get you out of your driveway? This is not Company Z's problem, this is YOUR problem.

Yes, it's definitely a YP, and not an MP.

[Dr. Sak]

You people crack me up - do any of you actually live in the real world? It's an employee's responsibility to figure out how to get to work - not his manager's. Now a reasonable manager will make allowances for unforseeable circumstances (accident, death in the family, etc.), but if you live in a rural area without snowplows and heavy snowfall in the winter, that's a forseeable circumstance, and you'd better have a plan to deal with it.

For the most part in the professional world people are required to put in "casual" overtime. Sometimes up to 8 hours a week in some instances. Yet when situations occur like this one where an employee can't get to work on time (due to snow or other infrequent circumstances) management totally forgets about the casual overtime put in, because they are too busy looking at the bottom line.

This is a great downfall ofa lot of corporations these days. They think employees should have some huge debt of graditiude to work for them. And like you so eloquently put it in your one post, there are an endless supply of people qualified to work for you. So you have no problem treating them like you, but someday this will all come bite you in the ass.

I work at a place just north of Pittsburgh that had the same attitude that you did, and they could do it because they were really the only big engineering firm that was profitible the past 5 to 8 years. Every year they started taking stuff away from the employees because they knew we couldn't do anything about it. They knew most of us were unwilling to move out of the area to get another job.

Now that another company is doing good and hiring engineers by the 100s each year they are scrambling to undo everything they've done to the employees the past 5 years. It is too late because most of them are jumping ship because of this bad taste in their mouth. We are also hiring too but unlike before where we could pick and choose who we want, we are having a hard time being competitive enough to get people to come in here.

[heybrad]

Quick update... I made it to work ok today, but as I was coming through the canyon on the toll road, the sun was just coming up over the hill and it nearly blinded me. I had to put my visor down.

[lordscarlet]

I think you people that think there are managers that don't think that way are saddly mistaken. They can't account for every person's personal situation. If most of the company can make it in during inclement weather, they can't shut down the office for the guy that decided he wanted to live on top of the mountain. You make your choice where to live and work knowing there are these chances. I know I'm reiterating what others have said, but it's the hard facts of life. I now live in walking distance of my office and could pretty much make it in no matter how much snow we got. When I lived 60 miles away I had a jeep and could also make it into work unless there was an excessive amount of snow.

[watravaler]

I'm glad my employer doesn't consider me a slave. There are things you can control in life, the weather isn't one of them.

[lordscarlet]

I'm glad my employer doesn't consider me a slave. There are things you can control in life, the weather isn't one of them.

Your preparedness for the weather is. The snow we're talking about would be laughed at in a town like Buffalo or even Cleveland.

[Mateo]

I'm with HeyBrad. This is particularly hard to decide what to wear. I mean, I don't want to dig my summer wear out, but it's often too warm to wear my winter clothes. What's a guy to do?

Take this morning, I went into the coffee shop and ordered a hot triple mocha espresso and when I got into the car, I accidentally spilled it on my bare legs because I was wearing shorts. Fucking weather.

[heybrad]

I'm with HeyBrad. This is particularly hard to decide what to wear. I mean, I don't want to dig my summer wear out, but it's often too warm to wear my winter clothes. What's a guy to do?

Take this morning, I went into the coffee shop and ordered a hot triple mocha espresso and when I got into the car, I accidentally spilled it on my bare legs because I was wearing shorts. Fucking weather.
Let's get together and talk this over lunch. If we go early enough we can probably get a spot out on the patio.

[Mateo]

Let's get together and talk this over lunch. If we go early enough we can probably get a spot out on the patio.

Hopefully we can find a patio with umbrellas. Last time, I was almost nailed by the seagulls who were trying to steal fries off my plate. Fucking sea gulls.

[heybrad]

Hopefully we can find a patio with umbrellas. Last time, I was almost nailed by the seagulls who were trying to steal fries off my plate. Fucking sea gulls.
As long as it's not too close to the beach. I've had it with the rollerbladers whizzing by as I'm trying to eat. Fucking rollerbladers. :mad:

[Mateo]

As long as it's not too close to the beach. I've had it with the rollerbladers whizzing by as I'm trying to eat. Fucking rollerbladers. :mad:

I don't mind the bladers, especially the ones with big jubblies. It's the 80-year-old men wearing dolphin shorts and black socks, wielding their metal detectors like geriatic gladiators fighting over who found the knock-off Rolex watches in the sand. Fucking dolphin shorts. :mad: :mad:

[heybrad]

I don't mind the bladers, especially the ones with big jubblies. It's the 80-year-old men wearing dolphin shorts and black socks, wielding their metal detectors like geriatic gladiators fighting over who found the knock-off Rolex watches in the sand. Fucking dolphin shorts. :mad: :mad:
Dolphin shorts? Get real. You'll freeze your knees off. :mad:

[Mateo]

Dolphin shorts? Get real. You'll freeze your knees off. :mad:

No sweat. I'll wear my UGG boots and we'll find an outdoor patio with a heater. Deal?

[Butter]

heybrad and Mateo would've continued with this witty banter, but they were both wiped out by mudslides and a flash forest fire. At the same time. Crazy, I know.

[vtbub]

25.3 inches here, woot!

My wife had to workv second shift last night and the person that came to feed me dinner had to stay the night, luckily my wife made it home.

[st.cronin]

When you have people working for you, there is no such thing as THEIR PROBLEM. Every one of their problems is your problem.

I have worked with and for people who think they can manage people like Fidatelo, and I have generally found them to be despicable shitheads that I wouldn't piss on if they were on fire.

[lordscarlet]

So the company should just give you free days off because you decide to live in a climate/location that you are unable to manage?

[st.cronin]

So the company should just give you free days off because you decide to live in a climate/location that you are unable to manage?

I don't have much imagination, but even I can think of plenty of other options besides that.

[Mateo]

heybrad and Mateo would've continued with this witty banter, but they were both wiped out by mudslides and a flash forest fire. At the same time. Crazy, I know.

Actually, we were stuck behind a massive car accident, when an ice cream truck collided with a truck filled with Coopertone. Fuckin' traffic! :mad:

[wade moore]

When you have people working for you, there is no such thing as THEIR PROBLEM. Every one of their problems is your problem.

I have worked with and for people who think they can manage people like Fidatelo, and I have generally found them to be despicable shitheads that I wouldn't piss on if they were on fire.

FWIW, did my more detailed explanation of my position at least partially make sense to you? Not sure if you saw it in the midst of Fidatelo, heybrad, and mateo ;).

[terpkristin]

Alas.
Had problems getting out today, luckily somebody was around who could push me and I got to work on time to discover...they hadn't taken any care of the parking lot. Apparently yesterday it was even worse, but they hadn't even salted or shoveled walkways. That strikes me as somewhat irresponsible. Going back to the Target analogy, at least they would be cleared out, because they would like to avoid a lawsuit from someone slipping in their walk. I'm surprised work didn't shovel or salt, as it strikes me it'd be workman's comp if someone got hurt, but either way.

I'll probably have problems getting out tomorrow, too, hopefully there will be someone who can give me a push.

/tk

[DaddyTorgo]

see now that's just wrong. if they were expecting you all to show up to work they should have taken care of the parking lot/walkways.

[st.cronin]

FWIW, did my more detailed explanation of my position at least partially make sense to you? Not sure if you saw it in the midst of Fidatelo, heybrad, and mateo ;).

I don't neccesarily take anything anybody says literally, so no worries.

[BishopMVP]

I have worked with and for people who think they can manage people like Fidatelo, and I have generally found them to be despicable shitheads that I wouldn't piss on if they were on fire.Urinating in public is just wrong. Except during the million man march, when protestors lit our urinals on fire and I used my stream of justice to put the hate out.

[Fidatelo]

When you have people working for you, there is no such thing as THEIR PROBLEM. Every one of their problems is your problem.

I have worked with and for people who think they can manage people like Fidatelo, and I have generally found them to be despicable shitheads that I wouldn't piss on if they were on fire.

2 things here:

1) I never said that's how I would handle something as a manager. I just believe that when push comes to shove, getting to work is part of your job.

2) I'm glad you would not piss on me if I were on fire, I think that would just add humilation and degradation to the already painful process of burning. I will continue to be a dispicable shithead if being pee'd on is the type of treatment I would otherwise receive.

[lordscarlet]

Alas.
Had problems getting out today, luckily somebody was around who could push me and I got to work on time to discover...they hadn't taken any care of the parking lot. Apparently yesterday it was even worse, but they hadn't even salted or shoveled walkways. That strikes me as somewhat irresponsible. Going back to the Target analogy, at least they would be cleared out, because they would like to avoid a lawsuit from someone slipping in their walk. I'm surprised work didn't shovel or salt, as it strikes me it'd be workman's comp if someone got hurt, but either way.

I'll probably have problems getting out tomorrow, too, hopefully there will be someone who can give me a push.

/tk

I completely agree with you here. If the office is open the parking lot and sidewalks should be cleared. I don't know if your company or the owner's of the building are at fault. If it's the company, you should be pissed. If it's the building owners you should be pissed, your company should be pissed, and your company should have hired their own crew to clear it and billed the owner.

[finketr]

Alas.
Had problems getting out today, luckily somebody was around who could push me and I got to work on time to discover...they hadn't taken any care of the parking lot. Apparently yesterday it was even worse, but they hadn't even salted or shoveled walkways. That strikes me as somewhat irresponsible. Going back to the Target analogy, at least they would be cleared out, because they would like to avoid a lawsuit from someone slipping in their walk. I'm surprised work didn't shovel or salt, as it strikes me it'd be workman's comp if someone got hurt, but either way.

I'll probably have problems getting out tomorrow, too, hopefully there will be someone who can give me a push.

/tk

For what it's worth, in Illinois, property owners are not liable for people slipping on snow and ice on their sidewalks and parking lots because they are obviously there.

however, it might not be workman's comp but a short-term/long-term disability if you're injured walking into work...or anywhere else for that matter.

[Mateo]

I'm not leaving this thread until I see someone piss on someone...

[heybrad]

http://members.optusnet.com.au/alphawolfau/Smileys/monkey_pissing.gif

I'm not leaving this thread until I see someone piss on someone...

[Mateo]

http://members.optusnet.com.au/alphawolfau/Smileys/monkey_pissing.gif http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y193/Heymateo/Animated/FIREdevil.gif

Awesome. Now I can go....

[lordscarlet]

In Virginia (at least some jurisdictions) you're liable if someone slips on the sidewalk in front of your house.

[Mateo]

Man, it's already like 75 degrees outside, and the Santa Anas are kicking up.

Can you say earthquake weather?

[terpkristin]

Oooh and it looks like there will be some more fun!!
WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM SUNDAY TO 4 AM EST MONDAY.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STERLING VIRGINIA HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM SUNDAY TO 4 AM EST MONDAY. THE WINTER STORM WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.

SIGNIFICANT ICE ACCUMULATION LIKELY FROM EARLY SUNDAY MORNING THROUGH THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT.

[lordscarlet]

I don't know if you're familiar with it, but Capital Weather (http://www.capitalweather.com/index.php) is a great resource.

[terpkristin]

I don't know if you're familiar with it, but Capital Weather (http://www.capitalweather.com/index.php) is a great resource.

I was not aware of it. Thanks for that. And according to that, I'm in the region for 1" snow + ice. Snow alone would be fine. But ice?!
Ew.

/tk

[terpkristin]

I guess there's one good thing about this icky weather: Oz is more interested in it than in trying to play with my stitching.

http://kristin.seidelmann-owners.com/oz/Oz-Snow_small.jpg

[CamEdwards]

No ice for us today, which is good since my wife's driving back from BWI, but we did get about six inches of nice wet snow. Easy to shovel, and great snowball material. This is the kind of snowstorm I like.

[Izulde]

14 inches of snow and it's still snowing.

It's not bad, though. High 30s and little wind, so it's all good.

[Easy Mac]

It was 70 today, although it did rain later in the afternoon. damn weather.

[Young Drachma]

I'm sure it'll snow here in April or May to make up for the fact that it's not right now...

[terpkristin]

Well I'm thrilled that we ended up with about 4-5" of snow and then rain came (not the freezing variety they were forecasting), guess it got warmer than they expected and I'm totally OK with that.

Ended up going out and buying a shovel, though, highway robbery at $9.44 for a plastic shovel that will probably break the first time I use it, but at least I have a shovel in case I need it...

/tk