Title: A Candid Reflection on Taking Time Off Work
Written on
Chapter 1: A Confession of Absence
I find myself reflecting on a rather embarrassing incident. At this stage in my life, I should know better than to feign illness when I'm not actually unwell. It’s simply unprofessional to leave your coworkers in a lurch. Everyone should contribute fairly to the workload and remain honest about their availability. However, last week, I failed to uphold these standards.
Last week marked the tail end of summer, a period when many software developers might think, “Why not take a day off?” I woke up feeling less than stellar and considered calling in sick. But in reality, my actions were far worse.
Chapter 2: The Unplanned Move
The crux of the matter was that my “sick day” was not spontaneous; I had scheduled my move during work hours without requesting an official day off. This was illogical, considering I had already arranged for a removal service in advance. Yet, I chose to surreptitiously take time from my job.
This choice wasn't driven by any animosity toward my employer.
Section 2.1: Understanding My Motivations
The underlying issue stems from a workplace culture that sometimes feels demoralizing. I’ve often expressed my frustrations about the management here; their inability to lead and their low expectations have taken a toll on my mental well-being. Even for someone like me, who tends to skirt the edges of company policy, it takes more than poor management to justify misusing vacation days.
Section 2.2: Policies That Confuse
One major issue is the lack of accountability regarding sick leave. In my organization, employees are allowed to take sick leave without it being formally documented. You’re expected to provide vacation notice up to nine weeks in advance. I was able to schedule my moving services a week ahead, yet adjusting my vacation plans last minute posed a challenge.
Subsection 2.2.1: The Chaos of Changing Plans
Earlier this year, I booked a week off from Tuesday to the following Monday, planning it months in advance. However, when I discovered cheaper flights for a Wednesday to Tuesday trip, I altered my booking in the system. Despite needing to request approvals multiple times, no one took the time to review the changes afterward.
This led to a cascade of confusion within the team. Questions swirled about my availability, and it became clear that essential information was not easily accessible. As a result, it felt simpler to take a couple of unplanned days off rather than risk further disarray if schedules shifted.
Chapter 3: Self-Reflection and Accountability
I acknowledge that this mindset is troubling, and I don't believe that simply blaming the company is a valid excuse for such irresponsible behavior. Fortunately, after my brief absence, no one inquired about my well-being, as it seemed that little work was accomplished during my time away—nothing much gets done in a few days in this environment anyway.
Section 3.1: A Personal Dilemma
In this case, it seems that my lack of accountability went unnoticed. I find myself pondering whether I was inherently untrustworthy when I first accepted this job or if this attitude was cultivated by the company itself.
In all honesty, I write this blog post while counting down the hours until I can leave work. I eagerly await the end of August, the potential for an improved job market, and the opportunity to pursue new employment.
About the Author
The professional software developer known as "The Secret Developer" shares insights on Twitter @TheSDeveloper and frequently publishes articles on Medium.com.