Drastic Actions

...are being taken to preserve my sanity.

On Friday I stalked into my boss's office and gave notice of my intent to take parental leave. My normally yappy, can't shut her up, let private things slip superior is totally silent.

So am I.

She asks me "what I expect of them." (Ontario labour laws say that no company has to keep a position open for someone who takes parental leave unless they've worked for the company for at least 13 weeks. They are quite safe from me.)

I sense that I'm now in a poker game, 'cause she's now staring at me, awaiting my response. It surprises her.

"I know the law. And I know what your obligations are." She flinches! She doesn't know and is expecting the worst! That I'll hold up a position in her department for the full 35 weeks of leave that I'm entitled to. This is just too rich!

"I'll expect the company will do what it's allowed to by its policies and the laws of Ontario." I worked that statement out in the van during lunch hour. I'm quite proud of it...

She makes some noise about shuffling some of my tasks before I go...

I make ready to leave.

"I don't think we were asking too much- working you too hard?" She looks up, trying to probe for weakness. She really doesn't know me. In all honesty, the company has been fair, if a little cheap. They didn't really earn my loyalty, but they didn't earn my wrath either. I felt a little guilty, but as soon as I lie down a bit the feeling goes away.

"I'm entitled to take it. And the situation at home is personal" (true, if a bit nebulous on my part) "and I have to make a choice." (there is no choice actually- they were gonna lose me anyway when me, Rue and the kids uprooted to B.C...This way I get a break and can help my wife with the terrible twosome while getting the house ready for sale in January (yes, mid-November was a bit optimistic.)

I love how she's insinuating that it might be MY weakness, and how I can't hack it. Ten bucks says that I'll be taken aside Monday morning and grilled about why I'm leaving.

The truth, gentle reader, is that I hate my job and envy my wife who sees the incredible kids my little ones are becoming...