I work for a company with about 30 people and I feel the company's owner is really negligent in respect to our health and safety.

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Anonymous

02/16/21 at 1:18AM UTC

I work for a company with about 30 people and I feel the company's owner is really negligent in respect to our health and safety.

I really love my job, but feel for my own safety I should look elsewhere. Am I being drama? What could I say to him to make him change his mind? The company never went remote during this past year even though we are set up to do it. If we were quarantined because of our kid in school, we could work from home, but else it was forbidden. I caught Covid in the fall, not sure how and they did support me working from home for the full time my doctor recommended. Of the 30 of us, 15 have gotten covid. They even did a company event in the summer and 8 people caught it then. Employees have always gotten the feeling that they are more bothered by the restrictions and think masks are silly. Now fast forward to today... I live in the midwest where it has been snowing for days. Today was really bad and the roads are not safe. To be honest, I also don't want to wreck my new car. I asked if I could just work from home today and he replied that the roads are not bad and if I don't come in, I can use a PTO day instead. The plows have not come through even the major roads, so I am not sure what he is seeing. I still need to work since I have a project due this week. I drove over an hour to go 10 miles to the office and then got stuck here. I complained to HR and they said I have the option of PTO, I don't have to come in. But I still have a deadline. I have never felt so minimized in my entire career. Why am I being treated like a 16-year-old vs a manager? According to HR, they have had issues in the past and need to treat everyone the same. Do others have this bad weather policy, is it normal? If not, how can I get my boss to understand that my safety should be his concern? Thank you!

29 Comments

Anonymous

02/16/21 at 3:44AM UTC

I went through something similar last year with a lack of safety protocols to curb the spread of Covid. Half of the employees got sick with Covid and it changed nothing about the unsafe processes of our work day for employees or customers. It was due to managerial ignorance and outright denial. When I got sick, the HR department was unhelpful and seemed to only be interested in the company's bottom line and not a neutral middle ground. For me, the events during the outbreak were the last straw, too many things had been building up before that with what I considered poor management and made me realize it was time to make a positive change. I would suggest that you try to find some resolution through multiple angles and when you feel like you are still not getting anywhere, look for greener pastures. Best of luck and continue to trust your judgment.

User edited comment on 02/16/21 at 3:45AM UTC

Anonymous

02/16/21 at 4:43AM UTC

Are you working for my previous company? I feel for you, I totally understand what you are going through, since I have been there too. HR will not be of any help because they are by the company side, and if they have this kind of obsolete mentality there is no way they will change their mind soon, unfortunately.

User edited comment on 02/16/21 at 4:44AM UTC

Rachel Golden

02/17/21 at 4:10PM UTC

Be honest with yourself - can you really love a job that doesn’t respect your safety - because ultimately they don’t see you as an investment but replaceable.

3 Replies

Cinzia Iacovelli

454

Marketing Project Manager, Digital Events

02/17/21 at 4:55PM UTC

I totally agree with Rachel here.

Farah Bajwa

223

Manager | Mentor | Consultant | Coach

02/17/21 at 8:06PM UTC

I agree - there seems to be distrust from their side. I mean you could always send photos of the road condition, or come in late and leave early but that would be passive aggressive and feed the resentment. Its very tough to change the gossipy, tit for tat culture once it festers in a small company. Best to save yourself more stress and start looking for a more positive work environment

Anonymous

02/17/21 at 9:51PM UTC

Great question

Katrina McNair

2.69k

Site Director and Online Educator

02/17/21 at 4:22PM UTC

Hello, Your not being rude at all. You are concerned about your own safety. If you don't take care of yourself, you can be replaced. You are doing the right thing by searching for a job that will protect your safety and give you stability. Do what you feel is right and best for you. Sincerely, Katrina

Kathleen Beeman

182

Empowering people-centric leadership.

02/17/21 at 4:51PM UTC

I am sorry you have to experience this, and while my company has been wonderful with COVID in the past we had similar strict rules about working from home. I think a lot of it comes down to how a company trusts their employees and for me trust is a really important part of a work culture. You aren't being rude or even slightly needy you are requesting them to extend support for a good employee that has real concerns or situations that need accommodation. While you cannot change their response now, it might be a good time to ask your leader to discuss these situations before they happen (not COVID obviously as that is so not a normal thing) but just illness or weather problems. It isn't that you want to abuse a policy it is that you are a high performer that wants to continue to do your job even if something gets in the way. Sell it as you have the best interest of the company and want to keep performing but need accommodations to help when life gets in the way. If they still won't budge you do need to think if you are willing to keep working in that environment.

Sarah Mudd

147

02/17/21 at 4:58PM UTC

I'm sorry you're dealing with this, it sounds like a really frustrating experience. I have worked for a leader before who was really distrustful of staff and that's what sounds like is the case where you are. I hate to be negative but I don't think there's a way to change the culture that easily. I would make sure when you have the opportunity to work remotely that you go above and beyond on completion and communication while encouraging others to do the same (i.e. modeling to them what it could look like). Speak up about boundaries and concerns through the appropriate channels and seek other employment. From my experience, a manger like this only listens to one or two people and they likely are just supporting what the manager says.

1 Reply

Sarah Mudd

147

02/17/21 at 4:59PM UTC

One additional thought- I think the pandemic has revealed to many the true nature and character of those in leadership. You can't change those things about another person and it's difficult in most positions to change that about a company.

1 Reply

Cinzia Iacovelli

454

Marketing Project Manager, Digital Events

02/17/21 at 9:09PM UTC

Yes Sarah, you are right. The pandemic made people and companies show their true colors. It's a fact.

Monica Lynn Sadler

Fashion Designer in New Jersey

02/17/21 at 5:09PM UTC

My heart goes out to you. I've been in your shoes and find this type of company mentality unacceptable. I left the job that did not put my health and welfare above the company. I remember the day our VP sent the office staff home in the middle of a blizzard out of concern for our safety. The staff received a phone call from one of the owners the next day and were told that we will have to take a PTO the next time that occurs. I couldn't believe my ears because the Governor had declared a state of emergency the day of the blizzard. I say all that to tell you that your health and well-being comes first. Unfortunately, God forbid something happens to you, they will just replace you. Please consider yourself first. That's not being dramatic at all. As mentioned in a previous comment, HR's job is to protect the company, not the employee, albeit I disagree with that wholeheartedly. It sounds to me that you need to find a new job. If I can do anything to help you, please feel free to message me.

1 Reply

Kimberly Olmo

115

02/17/21 at 10:39PM UTC

That type of response to weather infuriates me! I’ve been lucky in almost all my positions that I had a laptop and this was not an issue. In the 20+ inches of snow last week my husbands company was closed. They didn’t tell them. A few ppl went in and were sent home. He did not even attempt. Three days later the company read their handbook and said it would need to be 2 days closed for employees to get paid for the day they were “closed.” I can’t. I’m glad you found a new company!

1 Reply

Monica Lynn Sadler

Fashion Designer in New Jersey

02/18/21 at 2:37AM UTC

Thank you! That was 5 years ago. The company I went to closed in August of 2019 so I started my own company https://monicalynnsadler.com. You're blessed to have an understanding company. I'm so sorry about your husband. That's just awful. It really is infuriating.

Tyra

Creativity, Strategy, Process

02/17/21 at 5:25PM UTC

I agree that this comes down to trust. The situation of COVID and the snow storm has brought this to light for you. You have to make a decision whether you want to continue to work in this environment or if you want to move on. I’m sorry you are dealing with this . Best wishes to you .

Melissa Lomax

Organizational & Executive Coaching

02/17/21 at 5:30PM UTC

Agree with all of the above in looking for another job - get out there and find a place where your health and safety is valued! The covid violations are shocking, and I'm glad to hear that you survived, this time. A resource for you may be OSHA as employers are required to provide safe working conditions and reporting. Different states have different standards however, so you'll want to check to see how your state compares. Not sure about commuting during snow unless there are traveling restrictions during state emergencies. And for WFH, again, it comes down to values - if you're set up to work from home, and can and have done so successfully, then it sounds like old-school mentality and not trusting employees. I wish you all the best!

User edited comment on 02/17/21 at 5:36PM UTC

Amanda Nance

RPCV with background in events, travel and TEFL.

02/17/21 at 5:41PM UTC

This is not dramatic at all. Your health and safety are very important, and you can’t work properly without them anyway. If HR is truly not willing to work on this, I would also suggest moving on. You deserve to be treated with respect and treated like an adult. It sounds like management has trust issues that they need to work out. If there are willing to put your life in danger, they are not worth it.

Jacquelyn Lloyd

534

HR Consultant

02/17/21 at 6:16PM UTC

Call your state OSHA office and file a complaint. They will come investigate. You can remain anonymous.

renee2

219

02/17/21 at 7:45PM UTC

Have you talked with your CEO about your concerns? There may be issues going on in the background that you don't know about. Before reaching out to state or federal regulatory agencies about a complaint, you really need more information about the "why". If you reach out with a sincere desire to learn more about why your company has responded the way it has, your CEO should be willing to have that conversation. But it will all depend on your attitude and how you approach it. Come at it in a positive way (not accusatory), be prepared with good questions, share your concerns about the number of folks who have contracted COVID-19, and maybe offer to help lead a safety committee. I would definitely come to that kind of a meeting with one or two suggestions about how to make things more comfortable for you and your co-workers moving forward. Just a few thoughts. I wish you much success in moving forward in positive ways for you and your company.

Kate

Bring kindness, inspiration & motivation back

02/17/21 at 8:02PM UTC

This is such a horrible situation and I completely feel for you. You should have a worker's manual or handbook that talks about rules and regulations, if you do than the company can be in breach. Not sure if you want to go down that road, but you can. HR typically can't do anything because they don't have the power, and most don't want to rock the boat with higher ups--at least from my experience. I would have to imagine your workplace has a high turnover because employees are not treated well and not sure how happy you can really be in that environment. You can contact BBB or OSHA, but based on your note it may be better to file a complaint and start looking elsewhere. Culture, values and well being/safety of employees should be a the company's #1 priorities because without those factors most companies fail.

Anonymous

02/17/21 at 8:20PM UTC

This sounds so much like the company I'm working at right now. I don't think anyone can do a great job at a company where they don't care at all about the safety or wellbeing of their employees. You are not dramatic, you spend the majority of your life at work! Definitely look for another job. There are plenty of companies who do treat their employees well. The only good thing about COVID is it's a lot easier to spot those companies. Ask what their policies have been and how they've handled COVID when you're interviewing, it will give you a big insight into how they treat their employees in general and what is the most important to them. Up until the last year, I really enjoyed my job, but I'm in your same boat. I can't stay at a company who cares so little about their employees. I've just accepted another job and you'll find something great too!!

Anonymous

02/17/21 at 8:26PM UTC

I agree that you should start looking for a new place to work. The fact that you've felt at risk over multiple issues (COVID and snow) may mean that this is a general attitude or company culture issue that's not going to change. (I know someone who was put in a dangerous situation and his boss, the leader of the company, said, "If you get injured, just work comp it." This was one of a number of factors that led him to leave.) There are necessary risks (healthcare workers, firefighters for example) and completely unnecessary ones (office workers who could easily work remotely but aren't allowed)... it's worth finding an employer who knows the difference.

Julie S.

I'm an engineer doing environmental compliance.

02/17/21 at 10:32PM UTC

That's awful. Covid has shown us all we can work remotely and there is no reason for a company to act this way. Safety is always most important. It's time for all businesses to change their culture. I'd start looking for employment elsewhere in this situation.

Kimberly Olmo

115

02/17/21 at 10:44PM UTC

I’m so sorry you are dealing with this. I completely agree with you. I’ve been lucky that my job (started during covid) is fully remote. Sure it means I’ll never have a snow day but I’ll have my safety! And as for Covid, I am upset to hear when employers aren’t taking it seriously. I’m asthmatic, and my doctor told me in March to stay home has much as I could. I have. I’d hate to think my employer would force me to come in and do a job that I can 100% do remotely. To do so does put people at risk. Your company is showing their true colors. Listen to them! You are not wrong in how you feel.

1 Reply

Kimberly Olmo

115

02/17/21 at 10:47PM UTC

I’d like to add, in any situation where there is a state of emergency, employers should respect that. You are being told not to get on the roads unless it’s essential. Unfortunately, I don’t always see this being the case. Dangerous and disappointing. If they need operations so badly, provide laptops. It shouldn’t be this hard!!

Angela VanSchoick

02/17/21 at 11:54PM UTC

I have worked for several companies (including my current one) that essentially say you have to take your personal leave for not being able to get to work. We get a lot of snow here and there have been days where school was canceled and I was still expected to show up or use my time off. (It took me 3 hours to drive 20 miles one day because 2 out of 3 options for me to get to work were closed.) For the majority of positions I've held, I didn't live in the city I worked in and was expected to make it there. Way back when, I used to take the bus to work and the buses were shut down. I had to take time off that day for not making it in. It's frustrating and I can understand people potentially abusing it - but I also feel the employer really needs to assess their stance on this - you're putting employees at risk by driving in hazardous conditions and, for those who don't have the accrued time, you're forcing someone to do so.

Anonymous

02/18/21 at 2:14AM UTC

All I know is that I am in Texas and my company has not only given us the week off due to the weather, we are also receiving our full paychecks on pay day. Document, document, document. Report to applicable authority(ies) and seek employment at a company whose culture involves caring about its employees and their health/safety/well-being. Best of luck to you!!!

Laura McCann

323

Driving results through people engagement

02/19/21 at 1:22PM UTC

Some companies do not support remote work based on prior experiences. It's the whole thing about penalizing everyone for one person, especially smaller organizations. It sounds like it is not the place for you.

Jo Lynn Williams

Data Center Operations Manager

02/19/21 at 3:01PM UTC

I'm sorry to hear you are going through this. It sounds awful. If your company leadership is not committed to doing the right things and keeping everyone safe, it's probably time to take your talents and look elsewhere. You deserve to be happy and you may even find a job you love more than the one you are currently at. Good Luck!!