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Original poster

to wonder why some people are so pathetic when it comes to their cars and the snow

171 replies

Ormirian · 20/12/2010 12:30

I live 2 miles from work. So I walked. The office is half empty. I can understand that for some of the staff because they live in the back of beyond or miles away and the snow was really bad this morning. But the majority of people working here are locals who drove in against all advice on the radio and in the face of common sense, and then panicked and drove back home again in case they got stranded Hmm.

Why can they not get out of their bloody cars and walk! It's perfectly safe underfoot - I walked in OK with a good pair of boots and well-wrapped up.

The factory staff have to work their normal shifts but the office staff have all buggered off when most of them could have found a way of getting in to work safely. I feel ashamed TBH - it's feels as if there's one rule for us and another rule for them.

OP posts:
flippinggorgeous · 20/12/2010 20:26

A skid into a kerb can damage a car- my front wheel needs replacing and I don't dare drive it until it is fixed incase it affects my steering. If I need to go anywhere now I have to walk or get the train. I'm lucky not to have to go to work, I'd struggle if I did, living fairly rurally and miles from the childminder.

lololizzy · 20/12/2010 20:27

I don't agree with what my boss said though. That was nasty. Puts me under immense pressure. I'm not being a martyr (i'm sure some are) but outweighing risk of damage to self/car over not being able to survive if dont get paid...i drive. So i just go v slow and v careful. Shame other drivers can't...now THAT is the biggest problem

swanandduck · 20/12/2010 20:28

I agree roseability. If people want to snowboard into work, cause their family untold anxiety, walk a hundred miles with a sleeping bag on their back well off you go. Just don't keep implying that the rest of us are 'wimps' because we realise we aren't indispensible and can catch up on our work/do stuff from home/come in on Saturday.

As before, not talking about people who provide essential services or who would lose their job if they didn't get in. Just the self important 'snow martyrs'. Absolutely love that phrase.

GetOrfMoiLand · 20/12/2010 20:35

Have just got in. DP came with DD and picked me up from Gloucester, then made our way to t'other side of Gloucester to go home, via Sainsbos.

Bloody lethal roads, covered with snow, even main roads. No grit anywhere. Just skiied round corners.

Scary.

Heroine · 20/12/2010 20:35

yes i know re crash into kerb .. but he didn't damage his wheel... he was just egging it up..

GetOrfMoiLand · 20/12/2010 20:37

And I hissed at DP for trying to go up Leckhampton hill. He said he didn't attempt to go past the Norwood, just turned around and went via Shurdington.

The way DD told me he was freewheeling his way up Daisybank Shock

Heroine · 20/12/2010 20:38

what i love is the people in high(er) performance cars who haven't learnt how to drive them in snow... into first gear, foot down.. skiddy skiddy!! :)

MsSparkle · 20/12/2010 20:44

I'm still wandering what these jobs are that people can just leave for a few days?

swanandduck · 20/12/2010 21:17

I'm wondering what these jobs are that people can't be absent/sick/dealing with an emergency because they are soooo indispensible even though they're not brain surgeons, fire fighters etc. Just people working in an office. What report can't wait a few days, what meeting can't be postponed or go ahead without YOU etc.

MsSparkle · 20/12/2010 21:20

Oh dear. It sounds to me like there are some people in offices that need to be made redundant. . .

lololizzy · 20/12/2010 21:22

i wonder too. There are also some stay at home martyrs (and am not suggesting on here) but of the ilk, 'i will not get paid and have no other money coming in but i'll be damned if i'm leaving the house' brigade

MsSparkle · 20/12/2010 21:33

I know, as if everything must shut down whilst the snow is on the ground. For most businesses, christmas is a vital time and can't just shut down and have to get on with it or go under.

lololizzy · 20/12/2010 21:36

i am in retail and as a result of losing thousands last Christmas (we were snowed up for nearly 2 months) i got put from full time (manager) to part time (so my bosses could take over to try and recoup some dosh..didn't work however) as we never recovered. So i really feel for all small businesses..whatever they are. My bosses nearly lost their house..and i know my small companies in my line of work closed down. Hence i do feel blessed to even be part time now so make the effort.

lololizzy · 20/12/2010 21:37

i meant, small companies..not MY small companies sorry overtired

swanandduck · 20/12/2010 21:40

MsSparkle

Maybe some of us are on top of our jobs and can take time off in difficult situations without the organisation falling apart. Or can work extra hard sometimes to make up for lost time. What happens in your job if you get sick, or have to go to a family funeral?? Does being able to take time off equate with you being redundant??

MsSparkle · 20/12/2010 21:43

My dh is a small business owner and has to get on with it and he relys on a small team of staff. The staff have all been wonderful getting in to work, I think working for an independent small business makes them care more as well, and they haven't complained at all. They will all be getting a well deserved christmas bonus, which dh does on merit rather then duty, because they really are gems.

swanandduck · 20/12/2010 21:48

That does not negate my point that there are lots of areas where people can take an odd day off here and there without bringing the organisation down. Saying they are obviously redundant is unfair. They are just efficient, have helpful colleagues and work in a well resourced company.

MsSparkle · 20/12/2010 21:52

Swan I was going on your 'just working in an office' comment and speaking of your work like your not very important in your last post.

If someone is really not that important in the office then why do they need to be there at all?

I come from a world where you can't just take a few days off and not be missed. Where everyone's work is vital as past of a team. Where you start work in the morning and do a solids days work without morning tea breaks and afternoon tea breaks, which is how it should be.

If dh is sick, he is sick. If still has to work.

swanandduck · 20/12/2010 21:58

I did not say some people in offices were not very important, I said they weren't indispensible. The nature of many jobs, including office jobs, mean you're not always sailing close to the wind and can pace yourself differently on different days. eg a shop assistant has to work at the same pace every day but someone conducting research or producing a marketing report or devising a PR campaign or developing a public service policy can go like the hammers one day and put in extra work and take it a bit easier the next day. Neither job is more important than the other, some people canjust pace themselves differently. My point was that those people do not need to make a big production out of skiing twelve miles into work and then making people who decided the office could survive without them for a day feel bad.

Original poster
Ormirian · 20/12/2010 22:01

It's not a question of being a 'snow martyr'. What an offensively trite little phrase btw. It's a question of taking your responsibilities seriously. And there are many people who could get into work if they accepted that it is possible to move from A to B without sitting behind the wheel of a car. Would the company fall apart without me....no...would there be serious difficulties if I, or someone who can stand in for me, was not available to fix a problem when it arose. That's what they pay me for.

And there is a principle at stake - certain people in my organisation have to be there as their roles require them to be - if the factory staff have to fight their way in but the office staff mysteriously can't manage it, it doesn't do much for for morale. If 80% of employees live within a few miles of work, it isn't unreasonable to assume that all of the them who are able-boied should get themselves in to work.

OP posts:
gapbear · 20/12/2010 22:04

I'm another Cheltenhamite (Charlton Kings, Limara Grin) and it has been really frightening walking round. Cars couldn't get up the Cirencester Road, they kept slipping back down it, the London Road is shut, and I've seen numerous people falling over.

I've tried to explain to mum that I might not be able to drive to Essex on Weds, but I don't think she understands how bad it is. I think she thinks I'm being unreasonable :(

lololizzy · 20/12/2010 22:08

'Snow martyr' is horrid. Shouldn't have to be criticised for being conscientious and loyal. If for eg you work for a very small, family run business, you just wouldn't want to let anyone down if you could help it. I am glad some people do have the means/cover etc to be able to stay home.
However..and this is ONLY my personal view so please don't 'yell' at me!..i would feel horribly guilty if i worked for a big company and got paid to not come in because of weather. Unless of course could make up the time another time. That's honestly not me being martyrish(and i do realise it sounds it) but more that have nearly always worked for small businesses and that is my own personal work ethics and what was / is expected. And i don't think it's a bad way to be...

swanandduck · 20/12/2010 22:09

Ormirian

And you don't think 'pathetic' or 'wimps' are offensive to people who could not make it in during the snow? Yes, there are people who will take any excuse, but there are also people who don't feel comfortable about going in, are on top of their work and are fed up of smug colleagues calling them wimps, making assumptions about their ability to make it in etc.

Original poster
Ormirian · 20/12/2010 22:14

THanks for 'smug' Hmm I didn't call anyone a wimp, for the record. I think that people are 'pathetic' for thinking they can't get anywhere without using a car.

OP posts:
MsSparkle · 20/12/2010 22:17

I can understand the point you are making swan. But not all office jobs are like that as some office jobs require people to give a service to the public. I am sure people reading your 'just working in an office' comment quite offensive if they work in an office and their job requires an efficient service.

With sick pay, if employers didn't pay out for the first 3 days then payed ssp or the equivalant of, you would be amazed at how 'sick' people really are.