Unlimited leave for the employees

‘Did you read this news? A software company has announced unlimited leaves to their staff,’ Hubby asked.

‘One more fancy HR idea, I suppose,’ I replied.

‘Alas, it is being implemented now. How I wish, it was allowed during our working days,’ he rued.

‘I thought you did not take even the leave you were entitled to, so how would “Unlimited leave” help?’ I asked.

‘I meant for you, my dear,’

‘Hmmm. I need to evaluate both sides of the coin, to know if unlimited PTOs, I mean Paid Time Off are better,’ I told him.

‘There are so many reasons, I was better off in the office than at home. On the other hand, there are multiple reasons to work in the office than be at home,’ I thought aloud.

‘My dear, these two are the same side of the coin,’ he gently reminded. ‘Like saying I either eat Kela or Banana every day.’

‘Do you remember, your cousin’s sister-in-law- Jaya? Her brother’s son’s marriage was held in Delhi. We did not attend the wedding giving the excuse that I did not have any leave. You would have to cook some other excuse if they knew I could take unlimited leave,’ I began.

‘That was a good excuse, we used it multiple times,’ hubby agreed.

‘To tell you truthfully, if I was slightly unwell, I preferred going to the office and taking rest there rather than be at home,’ I confided.

‘Don’t say that! You are implying that even if you are not well, you had to work at home?’ hubby sounded hurt.

‘Not exactly, but in the office, you could avoid working or do some light work. That was not possible at home.’ I pacified him but continued.

‘I remember in August 1986, I was running a fever and had viral-like symptoms and decided to consult our family doctor.’

 You then said ‘I am glad you are going to the Doctor. Go around noon, when the rush is less.’ I drowsily nodded my head.

As you were leaving for your office, you told me,’ Will you please drop the electricity cheque in the dropbox? It should not be a strain as it is just 2 buildings away from the clinic.’

’Did I do that?’ Hubby asked scratching his head.

As an afterthought, he added sarcastically, ‘If you remember the month and the year when this incident happened, you may be remembering the date also. It must be the last date of paying the electricity bill. Every month, I dutifully go and make the payment. Once I asked you and you throw that at my face after 35-36 years.’

‘It is not over, you please hear me out,’ I said.

‘Taking the electricity bill and cheque, I was leaving for the clinic, when your mother asked me to get a coconut and flowers from the South Indian store.

‘Why is there any puja, that I missed? I asked her.

‘I have prayed for your quick recovery and wish to break a coconut for the Goddess Durga tomorrow,’ she said.

‘Thank you, Attaiya. (MIL) Nice to know you have prayed for my quick recovery (though I knew why she wanted me to get well soon!). But why do you want me to buy the coconut today? I will go to the doctor now, take his medicines and hopefully get better in a day or two. So, we can get these items the day after,’ I told her, as sweetly as I could muster.

‘I am sure, you will be fine tomorrow. The doctor’s medication and my prayers will work wonders and make you fit and fine by morning,’ she said. ‘So, I need the coconut and flowers for tomorrow.'

'The Store is open only till 12.30 pm, so please buy that before you go to the clinic,' she added, as I left home, muttering under my teeth.

‘You are not appreciating how kind and understanding my mother is.’ Hubby commented.

Deciding to veer away from a delicate topic, I continued.

That afternoon, when the children returned from school, they were so happy to see their mummy at home.

As MIL was sleeping, I had to serve lunch to the children. In the evening, after making coffee for MIL and me, I was planning to lie down for some time, when our dear little daughter, came and touched my forehead to check my fever.

‘Oh, I am so lucky. My baby loves me and is so concerned! I thought, a little prematurely.

‘Mummy, your fever is gone!’ she declared.

‘Yes, my Dear,’ I lied happily.

‘Mummy, I have a Hindi test tomorrow. Can you make some nice snacks, so I can concentrate on my studies? Then you can take my lessons.’ Dear daughter requested.

I was about to find an excuse, when she added,’ Mummy if you teach me Hindi, I will get full marks.’

Falling into the trap, I made some snacks for everyone-MIL, children, you and then took her lessons.

I even made a special dinner, as I was on leave and sitting at home!

Thankfully, MIL’s prayers and the medicines worked wonders and I ran to my office the next day!

‘So, now you understand, why I preferred going to my office, so long as I could somehow manage to reach there.’ I spoke. ‘Moreover, in the office, there was a room with a bed where we could rest for a few hours.'

‘Come to think of it, I agree, a woman is better at the office than at home,’ hubby said. ‘There are many repercussions of a wife at home.’

‘Really? I thought you men preferred a wife at home.’ I retorted.

‘My friend’s wife had resigned from her job, to attend to the children and their studies. When my friend would reach home and casually ask his wife, ‘how was your day?’

She would reply,’ Fantastic!  I enjoyed the view of our home. When I turned left, I noticed the blue walls of our bedroom, then I turned to view the other side. This again showed a blue wall with a calendar and the clock being the highlight of that side. Then I travelled towards the bright stove in the kitchen room.’

‘My poor friend. He rues the day she took VRS.’ Hubby told.

‘Another colleague, Guptaji looked so tired and drained on Monday mornings. When we asked him, he told us that every weekend, he had to take his wife and the children to a hill station or a party or his in-law’s house. The poor man got no rest. Monday to Friday in the office and weekend outdoors.’ Hubby said sympathetically.

‘That woman also needs some change. The whole week she is toiling in the kitchen and home, so some entertainment and relaxation are needed for her too, is it not?’ I retorted, supporting Mrs Gupta.

‘I always thought women found the leaves insufficient. You and my lady colleagues were always complaining,’ he said veering back to the topic.

‘Yes, But, we know how to manage our leaves, thank you!’ I added.

‘We always found ways to take leave, if we wished to, depending on the occasion and the exigency.’

‘And which type of leave to take for attending to which work.

For example, if a lady had to take leave to look after her in-laws, she would apply for at least 3 weeks’ leave.

‘Sir, I have to look after my mother-in-law. I know there is a lot of work at this time. So, though I have applied for three weeks’ leave, you may sanction me for just one week. I will make some arrangements for my dear MIL.’  She would tell with deference to the Boss.

’That gave a good impression on the boss, who sanctioned one week’s leave to his understanding employee. On the home front, the lady would tell the family members that due to office exigencies, she was sanctioned only a week’s leave. A good way to collect brownie points at home and in the office,’ I chuckled remembering how many friends had tried this time-tested ruse.

‘But, if a woman wishes to take time off and relax in her maternal home, she would apply for sick leave and stay there for even a month. Giving a medical certificate was not an issue. And then there was the MTP leave and family planning leave in Government offices, that was utilised for emergencies.’

‘My friend worked as a secretary to a senior official in a government organisation. Every time, her boss went on an official tour, she would also sit at home and manage the movement of the files with the help of a peon. I first saw, the work from the home concept from her.’

‘So, managing leave, when to take, how many to take, which type to take, to take or not take, are all well researched and kept handy,’ I ended proudly.

‘OMG! ‘Hubby dear was stumped.

Ruminating over the unlimited leaves concept, I continued.

‘It is fraught with danger. Suppose, I applied for 4-5 weeks’ leave and the boss realises that he can manage by getting the job done by another assistant. All the efforts to create an impression about my work will be lost overnight.'

‘But that happens even if you are on fixed time leave,’ hubby objected.

‘No! When we go on a fixed number of leave, I could tell my boss to attend to only the very urgent cases and I will return and complete the backlog. ( Another trick to impress the boss!) Also, I will ensure all the papers are kept pending on my table till I resume. That way the boss thinks that the work cannot move ahead without me!’

‘Kya idea hai! Madamji,’ Hubby commented sarcastically.

‘Besides, you remember. I would tell you about Mr Vasant and that lady, Mrs Gita. They will take the opportunity to butter the boss and create an impression that I am dispensable. They will capture my desk work.’ I added.

‘Job rotation is a good HR practice. So long as you have a job, why fear job rotation?’ he asked.

‘Arre Baba! After nearly five years, I got a desk where the work was less and privileges more. Why should I give it up? I was eying this desk for long and managed to grab it when Mrs Verma resigned.’

‘I give up,’ hubby said with a resigned look.

‘And most importantly, I will not apply for unlimited leave because of FOMO.’

‘FOMO? Fear of Missing Out of what? Promotion? Important projects? Work? Assignments?’ he asked.

‘No fear of missing out on all the office gossip and juicy news,’ I concluded.

'How about men availing this leave?' hubby questioned.

'Dont even think about it. The very thought deserves another conversation!'

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