W FOR 'WORK'.. WHAT'S IT ULTIMATELY?

It was the closing hrs of shift. As I prepared to leave my place, the Boss called..

"Come to my cabin. Want to discuss with you!"

I was fuming..

"What's this? Can't I go after 8 hrs work?"

The Inner Voice reminded me..

"You got to give all that overtime at work, a few times for no additional remuneration too except for a subsequent time off!"

I soon finished the day's task and came back home expecting long relief the next day being Sunday when the phone rang up..

"The Customer wanted deliveries by Monday. Plan yourself to report to duty at 8 AM sharp tomorrow. Rest we'll talk!"

My spirits of enjoying the Sunday were washed off at one stroke and I was feeling dull for a while..

The Inner Voice cheered me up..

"Working overtime could be demanded on the following weekly off and ensuing holidays too if any up to the number of days as specified in the Factory's Act. The next day to that alone is your real holiday!"

No need to say it was the busiest Sunday and Monday till we delivered the required but in the end, the Boss said..

"Our other Customer Rep is visiting tomorrow and certain deliveries pertaining to them have to be taken care of. Plan for staying overtime today and finish everything!"

I dragged on thus that Monday and Tuesday evenings too, brought the whole situation under control and decided to go on leave on Wednesday..

"Sorry dear, no leave! The next 2 days are crucial for us!"

Said the Boss coolly and I was at a loss..

The Inner Voice again reminded me..

"Leave is the privilege given and not a right to be enjoyed except for discharging certain social responsibilities and meeting sickness!"

I, not knowing how to get off from the situation, decided to pretend sickness and thus go on sick leave for few days..

The Inner Voice cautioned me..

"Do you know? One of your Colleagues did a similar thing a few times in the past and got a reply from the GM..

'Why don't you apply for Medical Retirement?'"

I instantly dropped all those thoughts, did all that is required at my work and felt that I'm safe when

The Inner Voice further cautioned..

"The hold on your job whatever be the number of years of experience is just that 1 to 3 months as per the Contract of Employment beyond which the Boss can always say..

'I don't want you!'

for a reason which he/she should justify to his/her higher-ups but never to you!"

I got shocked and asked,

"Even if I produce and deliver quality work in time?"

The Inner Voice was in all smiles..

"Yes.. In spite of you doing the best from your end some times, the customer may not have enough monies to place order on you or the competitor may quote less and grab your promised order in time!"

I am participating in the Blogchatter A2Z Challenge 2021 starting on April 1st 21, and this is my 23rd Post in that context..

#BlogchatterA2Z - 2021
https://www.theblogchatter.com/

Keywords:
WORK, #BlogchatterA2Z