11 Comments
User's avatar
Rich's avatar

The military

Expand full comment
Bruce Mardle's avatar

A friend of mine who used to be in the military said his employer had a right to all his time. Any "time off" was a perk.

Expand full comment
Clumber's avatar

May your friend never be in a managerial position.

Expand full comment
Bruce Mardle's avatar

He was a brigadier when he retired! As far as I know he wasn't a horrible boss.

Expand full comment
Rich's avatar

The ones who recognize it and joke about it are the ones that generally turn out okay

Expand full comment
Bruce Mardle's avatar

I don't think he was joking. As I now recall, he'd said that he'd been working very long hours. I said "I hope they're paying good overtime" and he said they (UK armed forces) don't pay overtime at all. I should emphasize that he didn't think soldiers should work 24/7; that wouldn't be good for their mental or physical health.

Expand full comment
Rich's avatar

If he called it a 'perk', he was doing some honor to the dark humor that most of us in the military have. If you know him still, you could ask. He'll smirk, maybe tip his glass to you (if you've bought him one), and then he might give you an actual answer if he considers you a good friend.

Expand full comment
Clumber's avatar

Ahh, well I meant in civilian land. Thought you meant after retiring. Military leaders *can* still be awesome while enforcing military culture. It's kinda' what one signs up for on the dotted line in a voluntary force. Comment withdrawn.

Expand full comment
Clumber's avatar

One more reason I avoided being on interview panels.

Expand full comment
Granados's avatar

I like the style: " Tell about the time..."

Expand full comment
Wanda Cloutier's avatar

This is spot on! 😂

Expand full comment