Still Working – Not Loving It
Sun., October 9, 09:52 PM
Although I’ve been working in Bosslawyer’s office for more than four years this time (I worked there previously), on paper I still work for an agency. In other words, I’m a temp. One of the advantages of being a temp is that you can quit, no questions asked; the agency will simply offer the client another worker.
I absolutely do not want to work there any more. So how come I’m still there? Well, the rules change somewhat when a temp works at a long-term assignment. Most of the time, we operate without the “middleman,” and I look like his employee. Bosslawyer always hires through the agency because he doesn’t want to deal with the details of being an employer.
It’s easier to write one check to the agency than to compute withholding taxes, social security, and unemployment taxes, not to mention workers’ compensation and other compulsory insurance. It’s worth it to him, but I know that they’re overcharging him. For example, he’s paying for benefits I don’t get. (I know enough about the temp business from all sides – worker, client, and agency worker.)
As I said, he considers me his employee, and certainly I’ve provided what he needs. Not only is the general work done, but I’m reliable. Unscheduled sick days? I think I did that once. Yes, I worked fewer hours during the Year of Cancer, but I still got all his work done. I let him know in advance if I was going to be out for chemo, and I scheduled my other treatments around work.
Three years ago, he was saying that he needed a second person, as a backup, y’know, in case I decided to take another job. I was willing and able to work longer hours, but there was some sense in getting a backup. And we went through the Unreliable Girl, the Airhead, the Bright Intern who went on to law school, and so forth. I’m still working alone.
Now, when I bring up the subject of a second worker, he says he’s scared; he’s had too many bad experiences. And I feel sorry for him. You’d think I’d know better by now. I could, in theory, call the agency tomorrow and tell them I’m quitting. Just because he doesn’t know anything about a computer and can’t read his own e-mail doesn’t mean he couldn’t find someone else to do it for him. And my computer files are organized well enough that a person with a lick of sense could find her way through them. He might miss having someone go to the post office or buy office supplies... But it would get done.
Meanwhile, I’ve got some health issues. That is, I went for a physical and, generally, I’m all right. But it’s time to begin the rounds again – blood work, chest X-ray, etc. Also my semi-annual mammogram; how fitting that it occurs in Breast Cancer Awareness Month. (I'm going for me. Don't you forget to go!)The doctor wasn’t impressed with how long it took me to heal from ordinary aches and pains last summer, nor was she concerned about the achy knee. (If you live into your sixties, you shouldn’t be surprised about a little joint pain.) Naturally, I alert Bosslawyer to the days I will be out or when I have to leave early. He’s concerned, though he doesn’t need to be.
On the other hand, I’m concerned about my blood sugar. Despite walking on both Thursday and Friday, my Saturday reading was much higher than normal. All I’ve got for my trouble is a sore knee.
