Monday, December 24, 2018

Who are ‘essential personnel’?



You hear this all the time now. The snow stacks up to an inch and all the teachers and students have the day off… except for essential personnel. The federal government shuts down and employees are furloughed… except for essential personnel who must work for free.
Who are these ‘essential personnel’ folks?
Everyone wants to think their job is important and their work and contribution to their company is outstanding enough for a raise and an office. Unfortunately you may find out today is a ‘snow day’ and all your sweat and toil is deemed ‘unessential’.
Understandably security personnel are essential. What could go wrong with a policeman who is patrolling the streets in dangerous neighborhoods without pay? How many tickets are they going to write? The soldiers spread all over the world, missing holidays and their families, don’t mind getting shot at without pay.
Furloughed employees are basically being laid off without pay, because they are not on vacation, they are not working. Somehow our congress finds a way to give these ‘non-essential’ their back pay; avoiding a strike or a revolution.
There are a lot of people with titles who really don’t seem that essential. Look how many holidays and breaks our elected officials take and still life goes on for the rest of us.
If you think you are so important and a valued employee, take the day off and see if anyone missed you.

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