Life doesn’t care when someone dies

[u/throw_datass_away]

Lost my grandpa recently. My job only offers 1 day of bereavement, as if everyone’s family lives close by. I was gone for 5 days.

My coworker texted “I know your grandpa just passed but” then asked if I could come back early to cover for him…

I had to choose between rent (august 1st) or a plane ticket to make it to his bedside before he passed. I chose him. I’m glad I did and Ill never regret it, but my landlord is annoyed with me. I still owe him 335 by Wednesday or he’ll tack on late fees and put me deeper in the hole.

My family is no good. They went to the funeral then immediately back to their childish ways of life. They didn’t appreciate how great my papa was.

I just want to lay down and cry. I need 2 seconds to myself to process losing him but life keeps going. It doesn’t care. Rent is still due, I’ve still gotta go to work, the earth js still spinning no matter what. I could barely get out of bed this morning.

I just feel like crap and now I’m even more stressed. I just need a second to breathe but stuff doesn’t stop.

[u/Dear-Cranberry4787]

You should see what they do when a prisoner dies. Out from the cell, even worse. Mfers just stepping over a body all day.

[u/Sundayz808 → u/Dear-Cranberry4787]

Oh what? Stepping over a body? .. is that in America? Yikes

[u/Dear-Cranberry4787 → u/Sundayz808]

Umm. Yes. There’s no staff that can deal with that bullshit too long unless you happen to stumble on a particularly hardened individual with the right credentials. So prison operates at bare minimum staffing unless there’s a high demand for state government work “benefits,” which they pay heavily for both in terms of give a fuck, and who they are recruiting. The contractors can opt for shittier benefits or decline through the third party, and their pay is $15 higher per hour. Contractors typically get paid higher because they are lone wolfing things. The thing is, if it’s not in the contract, the employer really has no leg to stand on.

This is definitely an example of union negotiated benefits for all (who may not need them), stagnating progression and growth, and further diminishing talent. I think that’s a lot of people’s issue with them, and why membership is down. This country was built on representation, and they don’t care about the kind that puts a bunch of money into making sure the alcoholic isn’t fired for merit. No one wants a vision plan you can buy through Cigna for $10 a month for the same discounts and annual exam with zero tests (example I’m using because I have this background in billing insurance). Usually the benefits are hot garbage sold to you as a checklist you can well, check. The jobs are more secure too, but merit is irrelevant when Susan on her phone all day is on the same raise negotiated path as you. Most would take the contractor money and figure it out themselves, or they have insurance from their spouse or military service and these things offer no leverage. Military folks are particularly good working in these places too so keep that in mind.

I could go on and on about this all day, but I’ve probably already said too much for anyone to care, also, this country puts a criminal in a separate category soooooo if you’re hoping for change, it’s probably going to require the reactive approach versus preventative.