At this point, I can't even remember the last time I went on a "real" vacation. 2019, maybe? Who knows?
At any rate, we are getting down to the wire, as far as using up vacation time before the end of the year. And I have a LOT of time to use. Considering The Husband decided to take this week off, I did too - simply to avoid having to shush him while I was working.
The result has been a mixed bag. Yesterday, I worked a "bit" (maybe an hour?) but today? Well, today I have to admit, I worked a good majority of the day.
Generally, when I take time off I can actually BE off for the majority of the time (truth be told, I usually check in just to keep from being overwhelmed when the vacation is over - but for the most part am on vacation). But this time around is different. About two weeks ago, I was "volunteered" to assist the new CFO (the jokes on them...haven't they heard of my dismal mathematical skills?) - to date this hasn't been an issue; he "seems" to be fairly low-key. But he hasn't "officially" been on the team until yesterday. Time will tell.
Last week, I was again "volunteered" to assist the CEO, as that admin had put in her notice - and they foolishly told her to go ahead and go - rather than waiting until the two weeks notice was up and getting a replacement.
I actually really LIKE our CEO - but I knew from the moment I met her that she was a HIGH MAINTENANCE kind of person. Which is one of the primary reasons I did not want that job when it first became available. I knew without a shadow of a doubt, that between the HIGH MAINTENANCE aspect and the extensive travel that position entails that I wanted absolutely nothing to do with it.
And yet, here I am.
Dealing with the very same issues I didn't want to deal with - while on "vacation" no less.
As of this moment, I am juggling four attorneys, two paralegals, two other folks that I'm not really sure what their titles are - but somehow they ultimately report to my "official" boss, a CFO, a CEO and, apparently, somehow in the last year or so, this other random person who has close ties to the "Mother Ship" - so it is in my best interests to "be nice"; and the Go-To Person for various other people who can't seem to get the help they need from their own departments.
Honestly, I don't mind being helpful where and when I can - as most of these people are genuinely nice and very appreciative of any assistance I can offer; but let's be real - ELEVEN people to manage seems to be asking a bit much, doesn't it?
Here's hoping the rest of the week will have more of a "vacation" vibe...although I will be HERE (and NOT at a special destination), with the computer ever present AND contemplating whether or not I should vacuum the rug; etc.
*sigh*
I hope you ask them for more vacation time since you're still working - oh, and a big fat raise for being manager to 11 people, which I'm sure isn't in your job description.
ReplyDeleteOh, I still have LOTS of vacation time and, historically, things around here are dead from Thanksgiving until the New Year; so I expect I'll have a lot of downtime soon - hopefully without the added baggage still in my cart. A raise? HaHaHaHa - never gonna happen.
DeleteThat...is not a vacation. Holy moly, Gigi. I totally understand your frustration. You need a break! Hello burnout :(
ReplyDeleteOf all the things, I really miss GOING places, especially in the winter when we Canadians flock down to warm climates. Who knows when it will happen? I have to hope that it will happen again, sometime.
I SO miss going places, Nicole! As I said, this new wrinkle is supposed to be temporary; let's just hope that the temporary bit comes to an end soon.
DeleteMy husband always checks his email while on vacation to avoid the avalanche on the first day back. It used to annoy me but I finally realized that it aided in his ability to relax on vacation. The fact that you are having to do all of this extra work and while on vacation to boot is very annoying. Hopefully, they will compensate you for your work. Perhaps a big bonus at the end of the year??? :)
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree with your husband - checking emails and dealing with small things on a vacation means that you aren't completely snowed under and regretting that you took the time off in the first place! Bonus? Nope, don't see that happening. But here's the thing, I actually REALLY like the job I was hired to do - this extra stuff is just SO extra...particularly lately.
DeleteSigh. Thanks, pandemic and anti-vaxxers. We haven't been anywhere in ages, either. So not fair!
ReplyDeleteRight?! And yet those anti-vaxxers are just out there like the pandemic is "over;" which is just making it worse for the rest of us.
DeleteI do miss visiting my sister in Florida, but it's such a disaster there that I wouldn't voluntarily travel there. You are definitely in need of a real vacation! Surely it WILL happen one of these days. :-)
ReplyDeleteYou couldn't pay me to go to Florida right now. Things are bound to slow way down next month and then any "stay-cation" that I take will afford more downtime. But yes, I really would like a REAL vacation that means I'm not in my home.
DeleteManaging people, no matter the number, is tiring. I'm sorry your staycation isn't working out as planned. Have you thought about losing your phone for a few days?
ReplyDeleteAlly, for the most part, most of these people fend for themselves (except for that one lawyer that I do not trust or care for); so there's that. Losing the phone wouldn't help; I'd need to lose the laptop...which is hard to do since it's always there...on the dining room table in my house. ;-)
DeleteI hope you are able to use your vacation days in some way to get a long weekend in somewhere or, at the very least, a drive to somewhere new. I haven't been on vacation since the spring of 2019, and I'm missing it.
ReplyDeleteEnter the concept of Sanity Drives. I try to do this several times a week; in fact I just had one today. Where I just get in the car and drive down one pretty road after another looking at the changing leaves and the rural landscape. Surprisingly, it does help a bit when I'm feeling particularly antsy.
DeleteStep away from the vacuum, you deserve a real vacation!
ReplyDeleteDo you feel special that you're always being 'volunteered' for the fun positions?
Oh, Gigi - this stinks. I too vote that they give you additional vacay days. A real vacation would be dreamy, right. I hope you find a way to relax, but I totally get wanting to keep yourself in the loop so you don't get bombarded when you get 'back' - as if you went somewhere.
ReplyDeleteNo fun this.
ReplyDeleteMany are experiencing so.
May we have proper vacations in time, when it is safe to do so.
I hope yours comes soon.
It is the thing I like about the PO, I can't bring the mail home on my day off. But the nightmare of missing packages and delivering at night are never ending. Seriously, I dream about mail failure. I scored a super early rare day today, I got out at 115, and managed to get a ton of stuff done. I was the ultimate adult! All so that I can sit on my butt on Sunday, which they asked me to work, and I happily said, "Hard Pass." I do hope you can find some fun in your staycation that doesn't involve vacuuming.
ReplyDeleteGigi,
ReplyDeleteMy suggestion -- take time out and go to the spa! Spend time getting a full body massage and your nails done. Oh heck, why not go for the facial as well! Then bill the company! That'll teach them and prevent burnout all in one fell swoop! LOL. Mona