I work in a very well paid job. I appreciate I am lucky. I do work long hours but some of that is from home/on my phone etc. For context I am a lone parent. My child does not see his father. Its his Fathers choice which is fine as he is an alcoholic.
Most of the time I cope fine but at the moment I feel a bit broken. My son has been ill and now I have caught it off of him. Temperature, extreme tiredness, sickness, cough. Tested a few times and its not covid but now I think its turning into a chest infection for me.
What's making it worse is that in our company generally, but especially within my role we are expected to carry on as things are so busy. No one has time to cover for anyone else. Consequently I can't remember the last time I was sick but didn't have to work even if I had to work from the bathroom. The same with annual leave, there is always emails to forward, phone calls and video calls.
Our policies look great on paper but in real life I am never disconnected. I always have to spend a few hours daily clearing things.
I am on annual leave next week and I am so tired at the thought of having to fit in most of my job round the holiday or it's a nightmare when I return.
I sometimes dream of having a job where I can take a days annual leave or sick and not hear a peep.
Is this how it is for everyone? Once you are at a certain level and paid a certain amount you are just expected to carry on? A case of we pay you extremely well and in return we expect you to keep it all going regardless?
I am not expecting sympathy foe the great pay etc I just wondered if this is generally a thing or its just my company.