tis the season

 

ugh, this is such a miserable time of year to have my job. working for employment insurance can be trying enough at any time of year, but at christmas time... yowza, a whole new level of awful. don't get me wrong, i like my job, but it's hard when i have to tell people that they don't qualify for benefits, or they've used up all their weeks, or for whatever reason we just ain't paying them anymore. there's yelling, there's tears, there's despair. not fun.

 

so you can imagine what it's like around now, when people are desperate for money, waiting waiting waiting, hoping they get a payment in time for the holidays. and here i am, the heartless voice of "the man" on the other end of the phone, telling them that no, probably won't being seeing a cheque for christmas. i hate it. it's not all bad news. i've been very helpful to many people who thank me for doing so much for them and wishing me wonderful holidays. that warms the heart. the ones that yell don't bother me too much. they want to take their anger out on me, it's not personal. i don't feel much anxiety over them. but the weepers... those are the killer calls. i offer my sympathies and apologies, but i hang up feeling sad and drained.

 

on the up side, having this job makes me grateful to have all that i do have. not just a secure job, but my health and the health of my family too. that's a hell of a lot more than some people have.