Time Off For Shopping
Today I learned something new about my glorious job of government worker for the state of Massachusetts. Apparently, during the holiday season, all state workers are given 2 hours off as shopping time. The office was all in a fervor today because it was “officially announced” that we could take our 2 hours whenever we want. I’m not sure what the history is behind this, or why they decided on 2 hours rather than 3 or 1, but I think I’d like to research it. Back in 1945, did a state worker complain that he didn’t have ample time to complete his Christmas shopping because he was working so hard at his job 8 hours a day? Did he march himself up the steps of the statehouse, insist on seeing the governor, and demand 2 hours off from work so he could complete his shopping? And I wonder if the governor just snapped his fingers and said “Yes! What a wonderful idea!” or if petitions had to be signed and strikes had to be waged.
In any event, none of this applies to me since I am currently still an intern doing the work of 38 regular full-time state employees. Therefore, I do not get my 2 hours of shopping time, which means my family will probably have to suffer in terms of Christmas presents this season. And I will probably be left in full charge of the office while everyone else is gallivanting around Boston making their holiday purchases. I’m not complaining though; I’m happy to serve my state and its consumers. I just wish they would pay me a little more and give me a couple days vacation time. Any day now they keep saying, and today I realized that any day now could mean today…or it could mean never. I’m at the point where I’m going to march up the statehouse steps and speak to Mick Rodney (as one of our callers refers to him) and demand to know what’s going on. If he can give all employees 2 hours of shopping time each holiday season, why can’t he give me a job?
Anyway, I better go and start doing some online shopping since I have no time to actually go out and do my Christmas shopping. You know, those 2 hours sure would make all the difference.
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