I hope that you would you leave a message for Maya to help her next steps after reading her story. She will be reading and learning.
Maya couldn’t wait to start and felt lucky to be joining the workforce of this conglomerate. She knew she looked great in her new clothes as she entered the premises. Quite a few co-workers looked unhappy. Why? She wondered. This was the dream job. Plush finishing. Not to mention the contract that offered a sizable remuneration.
A message to Maya
The required two-month training was over. She was ready. There were team meetings and mentoring from senior people. It was interesting that everyone was expected to address others by their first name, no matter the age or position. It was different for her!
Sometimes she heard comments about office politics and unfair reward systems. Still everything was great for now. One coworker had a breakdown and was allowed to stay home for a couple of days. She thought that was a super kind gesture from the management.
What she did not know then was that it was the pressure of work that caused the colleague’s health problems.
Maya’s wake up call
Ah, 6pm. Time to close for the day. It was such a shock when the manager told her that it was too early to go home and to read a document. Maya struggled to understand its contents. Her head was spinning. She realized that people only started leaving slowly at 7.30pm and it did not matter if one had finished tasks or not, one could not leave before then. There were frequent deadlines and reports to complete. She worked on weekends too. Maya understood why people were unhappy and sick, the pressure!
A message…
Three months in, Maya is disillusioned and uncertain about steps to take. Should she stay on? There are frequent resignations. New people join. Could HR help? Did it seem unthankful to want to quit? There are people out there who think that she is lucky to have a job.
She worries about her friends who wrongly think she is ignoring them because of her new status. They do not understand the pressure. Bummer!
Uniquely blessed are the folks doing what they love and have time for rest.
Hereby, perceive we the love of God, because He laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
1 John 3:16
This brings some memories. Goodness me! Work life balance will always bring the best out of everyone.
A good management should understand that.
Emphasis on a good management.. Thank you!
Great of you to share Maya’s story.
I think Maya should begin search for a new job which gives her happiness and balance, and quit this job thereafter.
Life is too short and needs to be lived fully!
So true. Life needs to be lived fully. Thank you for the thoughtful feedback.
Thanks for sharing Maya’s story. I guess we gain experience in such environments. But, as soon as you’ve had enough, you move on to the next job.
You put it so well. Thank you Salome.
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