He was advising our managers (who were also there) on how to resolve disputes when two employees want to go on a long summer holiday at the same time and only one can go. His advice was - be the wise judge and decide that the employee with small children can go (because children have holidays in the summer). And tell the employee without children all the advantages of going on holiday in October or November.
I didn't want to say anything personally because I was literally the only one there without children.
But when we had to review the training, I left my comment for the professor. I wrote that I did not agree with his advice. Because there is only one holiday I dream about all year round: swimming in the crystal clear Adriatic Sea in Dalmatia (that is only few hours driving away). The sea is warm enough for swimming only in July and August. Of course, there are other seas where you can swim all year round - but those options are out of our budget. So his advice - that I could be left without a summer holiday - is just cruel.
It felt good to share my thoughts with the professor. Perhaps he will think about giving this advice the next time to another group.
In the photo above: this dessert was part of our lunch that day. It was delicious! So I decided to focus on the wonderful things in that day.
Oof. That's terrible advice! I'm really glad you left the comment that you did. That's how people can learn and shift their thinking, by hearing from a perspective they never thought of. Thank you Klara!! (And your dessert looks perfect!)
ReplyDeleteI'm so very glad you left that comment. The professor's comment was cruel. And now, he has given all those people there permission to be cruel too. I'm very angry at him. He could have suggested a fairer option.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you can ask your managers what they thought of that advice? And give THEM your opinion too! They should hear it.
And yes, I've swum in the Adriatic (in Croatia) in late September. You're right - it was cold!
You are such a great advocate! I am so glad you spoke up. We are so often not the priority, to be told we don't deserve the same vacation timeframes? Gross. Beautiful dessert! And you go swim your heart out in that gorgeous Dalmatian Sea!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you told him what you thought too! The idea that summers should be reserved for parents & kids to enjoy makes me so mad. P.S. Now I want something sweet after seeing that photo! ;)
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