Just shoot me.

The boss' wife has been on board now for a few months. I've witnessed my share of family ass chewings. Having worked with my own husband for several years before we were married, I know what it looks like when a husband and wife have been arguing all morning and get to work and she tries to pretend everything is fine, wiping rampant tears away between conversations, and he nips off the head of every other unsuspecting man, woman or child in his path - and in my case barking orders all the way! Tension has been high in the office between them, projecting onto me, I would say us, I'm not the only one that works here - really, but I am the only one here all the time. Kind of a stationary whipping post, while the guys are off driving around all day.



We had to plan a trip to Arkansas to close up the house for the winter. It was pretty time sensitive, seeing as my mother-in-law is moving a thousand miles away November 1st and is the only one we trust (or have enough money to pay) to watch the farm and all the animals for us. I requested to the boss, and his dad, the personnel manager, to take three days off - that I have accumulated as personal time since I haven't called out sick this year. I submitted in writing and never heard back. I sent another request, this time stating my flexibility on the dates, that I would switch weekends, whatever worked best for them. It works best for them if I do not take off. I should have known that to begin with. So this is where the proverbial poo does you know what.



The boss was running around, as usual, no time is ever a good time, and I stopped him and explained my situation, his response was 'you don't need to go there to do that.' End of conversation.



Okay, like I said before I am flexible. Ray drove up and took a buddy of his, he got things in order, I hope. But I haven't gotten over it.



Probably while he was out of town and I was shouldering the responsibility of all the animals, the mother-in-law and the farm, I may have lost my patience.



The two 'others' (non-family members) that work here are always asking me what they get for time off and I refer them to dad, who gives everyone a different answer. One of my first duties, assigned by the boss himself, was to collaborate with 'The mom' on our employee manual, that his wife had lifted from her corporate banking job. Painstakingly, believe me, we went over the manual and made the changes we thought were applicable. I signed the back sheet and gave it to dad for his 'files' and kept a copy for myself. Only now, after I requested days off, am I hearing that we don't have a policy, we are not going by the manual, surprise! So how many days off am I entitled to? Here is my correspondence with the H.R. manager, names removed to protect my precious job;

Sent by me;

"**** mentioned something about needing a certain day off. Can we get in the practice of posting these on our calendars in outlook so that everyone is aware? Also, I refer the supers to 'dad' regarding time off, and I keep track of my own time, but I do not know if/who or how we are tracking this. What is our policy? 'Mom' and I made an employee manual in March ’06 (on ***** server in office folder), but I cannot tell if we are following policy in it or not."

Dad's response;

"Yes, **** did mention wanting a day off. He said he would confirm and I will post. I am keeping track of days off. We did copy the *** manual in March, but never issued it as policy. wife, boss and I are reviewing as there are some items that we need agree on. Currently vacation is 2 weeks after the first year of service. After the first year of service, accrued vacation days may be used prior to the completion of the year."

Me;

"And sick/personal days? I don’t see that someone should be penalized if they don’t get/call out sick?"

Dad;

"That is one of the items we are looking at."

Me;





That's the last I heard, ever.