A number of my friends and family have shared difficulties they have had with their workplace now that they are facing illness (physical or mental) and it’s shining a light on the ugly core of capitalism. Why are the low points of your employees’ lives such an inconvenience? Why is supporting your employees through struggle so hard?
Because it impacts the money being made.
It’s true, isn’t it? The money comes first. Whatever and whoever makes more money is prioritised. That’s the focus of the company, even if it’s not a standard for-profit company.
This breaks my heart because I am a caring person. Call me naive or whatever, but I don’t think money should come before everything else. Most definitely not above the welfare of your employees or the people under your care.
I was once told when I was 21 that struggling was adulthood. I went to my manager with my anxiety and was basically told go stop acting childish and grow up. I wish I was the only one. I wish this wasn’t prevalent, but it is.
Our lows are an inconvenience and hindrance to the money mill
Made to feel guilty for being unwell
What’s the evidence for this? Reduced or strict sickness days and coldhearted interviews warning you about absences. Yeah, sure, some people take the mick and abuse the kindness of others. But they aren’t the majority and they shouldn’t be the stick with which everyone is branded. I know people with real medical evidence to support their claims and yet they are still treated like a problem.
If we can’t support people at their lowest, what are we? Where’s the humanity?
You are not alone if you feel the pressure to attend work when you’re not well enough to do so.
Chronic illness, pain or disability should not be used against an employee. Reasonable adjustments should be put in place to help them to do their job safely and effectively. They should not, ever, be made to feel like an inconvenience or hindrance.
Don’t forget: these things could happen to you.
Made to feel guilty for having other priorities
Whether you are a parent, a carer to a family member, or someone with other pursuits, if you show that you’re not treating the company as top priority, you’re punished for it. Work is just work for a lot of us. And that’s okay. The top 1% make the big bucks while we grunts grind to get it for them. You can’t expect us to sacrifice our children, our family, our dreams for you when we don’t reap the rewards.
Capitalism is a pyramid. It works on slave labour, carelessness, individualism and ignorance. Do whatever it takes to make more money for the few on top, while more and more of us are crushed on the bottom. We are distracted by in-fighting and pointless arguments so we don’t see the real enemy.
Don’t ever forget that it’s normal, good and right to put your family and the things you care about over a heartless company that would replace you in a heartbeat and forget your name in a week.
A message to employers
Remember that no one truly wins when you treat your staff this way. As if their problems are something to shame them for and erase rather than support and reduce. The stress of knowing your job may be in jeopardy on top of whatever other health or life difficulties you’re going through is just too much. It’s cruel. When your staff are struggling, provide real help and support. Not paperwork that looks like support, but actual time and care.
You could face legal action if you don’t. This is disability discrimination. A breach of worker’s rights.
And you win in the long run if you have a happy, healthy team. They will stay loyal to your company. They will show up at their best. They will trust you, respect you, provide for you.
If someone is sick, injured, undiagnosed but struggling everyday or generally not having a good time, they won’t be working well. Simple as that. So why force them to try? It will just mean their ailments last longer, they could infect other people, or they could push themselves so far that the illness escalates and they are hospitalised or worse.
Dramatic? No! I’ve seen it.
Instead, you help them to feel better or work under supportive conditions then they will continue to perform and stay around.
Win-win, right?
A message to employees
You’re not the only one. I felt motivated to write this post because I’m hearing and seeing more and more people being treated unfairly or made to feel guilty about going through lows in their life. No one should be made to feel that way. When life is going wrong, we should feel supported by those around us, not judged, criticised, or bullied.
There’s help out there if you think you’re being treated unfairly.
- Know your rights and where to find support
- Citizen’s Advice UK – free advice and support on work related issues
- Human Resources department – go above your boss if needs be
- Access to Work applications
- Reasonable adjustments
- Carer’s leave and support – check your company’s policy on time off specifically for those who are registered carers of family members (don’t use your annual leave)
- Employment support for the disabled
Take care of yourself, guys, because the company won’t. Unless you’re making them more money, making things easier, or being a yes-man, you won’t be a priority for them. And sadly, in this late-stage capitalist system of the West, you’re a cog in a machine. You’re a tool. And if the tool is no longer effective and pliable, they will find one that is.
Don’t let that happen to you. Fight against capitalism and cruelty. Against corporations putting money above humanity.
And never, ever, feel guilty for being human. You’re not weak or a failure or a loser. You’re not alone. It’s the system that’s broken, not you.
Sincerely.
S. Xx
S. R. Crawford 