NaBloPoMo, xii

My office is actually open today, despite, you know, it being a state and federal holiday and the courts being closed and all. Which it turns out was okay, because guess what, I learned my two week maternity leave was raised to three months. You might think it was due to my amazing powers of persuasion, but in the spirit of full disclosure, I must admit my only persuasion was something along the lines of ... Hahahahahaaaaa, did you say TWO weeks? Heheheeee. I must of misheard because I swear you said you wanted me back at work two, as in one, two, two weeks after giving birth. Wicked persuasion. It must have been my hysterical laughter. All kidding aside though, I do, honestly, believe my employer had every right to stick with the two week offer and that I am lucky that the head honcho changed his mind. Although now that he is up to three months? Done! Sold! Deal! No take-backsies!

Recently I've heard multiple stories about people having horrible work/maternity leave issues. But even as I was starting to become a member of that crew, the whole my-employer-kicks-puppies-and-pregnant-ladies crew, I would still find myself getting annoyed at people's bitching about their jobs. Ironic? Maybe. But here's the thing. Your office/job/company/employer? It doesn't owe you anything. If you don't like the conditions in which you work, or the policies of your employer, then you can quit. Does it suck? Sure. But you're not entitled to a job. You're not entitled to some mythical amount of time off. When I was facing a two week maternity leave, I had to decide what I was going to do about it. It was on me. I had to decide if I wanted to look for a new job now, quit after I have the baby and find a new job when I was ready, or wait it out and see what happened. Obviously the latter option worked for me and I didn't have to wait it out very long. But the point is, my employer owed me nothing. Yes, I've been here for over five years. Yes, I have an impeccable work record (frivolous prisoner grievances aside). Yes, I think it is the nice thing to do, to let someone take time off after having a baby. But no, I don't think my employer has to do it, or even that it owes me.

I realize that there are laws that govern big(gish) companies. I researched those very laws so I would know what my options are. So I do realize that in certain situations, the laws dictate that your employer does in fact owe you something. But for the most part, not so much. It really irks me when people whine about life not being fair. Life's not suppose to be fair. Pull up your pants, tuck in your shirt, and grow the hell up. Instead of waiting for someone to give you something, to do something for you, get it yourself, do it yourself. Maybe they have different laws in Notamerica or Utopia or Stickistanvlackia. If those laws are so great, those places so fabulous and friendly, then go there. Leave. Buh-bye. Actually DO something for once instead of whining about how someone should do something for you. Geesh.