Broke up? Take some leave!

[dobro]

I think it is a good idea, although as has been said very easily exploitable. But in certain occupations it may be necessary, take myself for example. Personally I would prefer to keep busy after a break up, but seeing as I work part-time as a roofer, it would be irresponsible to work when mine or someone else's safety could be compromised through my being distracted. I don't think the boss would look to kindly on being dropped through a skylight because I was being mopey thinking fluffy shit about my ex.

 

[Moogles]

Taking leave from your work just for breaking up? Sounds ridiculous to me. Shit happens...suck it up. Some people who take break ups hard could benefit from getting out of the house and doing something constructive with their time instead of soaking in their depression at home. Also, as many have already said, it's easy to act like you're heartbroken after a break up when you aren't. Just another way for people to get out of working.

 

[Coco]

Nope. I don't think its necessary.

Pretty soon, I reckon, they'll be abusing this priviledge, using it as an excuse for paid time-off every now and then.

I also think people dwell less on their problems when they are active and feel better about themselves when they are doing something productive. But then, maybe that's just me.

On the other hand though, I have seen genuine "I-want-nothing-but-to-just-wallow-in-self-pity-because-he-left-me-for-another-woman" cases which, as aerocrystal pointed out seems much worse than a high fever.

Now I'm not even sure which to stand for.

Its too hard of a decision to make, as we are all different and we respond and react to things like this differently.

 

[Lirael]

Well this is interesting. I don't think it's a terrible idea - IF people are heartbroken. In order to determine whether or not a person qualifies, someone should assess how they feel in the least invasive way possible. I say this because time has nothing to do with heartbreak. Two people can be married for ten years but miserable, which makes breaking up a relief. Two people can fall in love within six months, only to find their whole world shatters when they break up in the seventh month.

What we really need is a society which places PEOPLE above PROFIT. Work should be a place where people feel safe and cared for. It's incredibly idealistic in this money-driven world, but in my personal utopia, people would all work as a team. If one person went through a breakup, a bereavement or anything similar, they'd be asked to come to work, but others would understand if they weren't performing as well as they should. I do think it's important to be distracted when you go through an event like this - being alone only gives you time to dwell and makes matters worse - but the majority of workplaces nowadays are perhaps too unforgiving and too stressful to enable people to cope.

If anything like this were introduced, it would have to be done on a case by case basis. Mind you, that in itself would lead to issues and claims that the system is unfair...

 

[The Welsh Paddy]

I think it's enough that people can abuse taking sick days. In the U.K people can get things like Incapacity Benefits for being really depressed, or even just take a few days off sick. And besides, I do think that your personal life should be kept away from work. I know the U.K is in no position whatsoever to start handing out time off because of a breakup. There are too many people who are in serious need of jobs who would be more than happy to snap that right up.

 

[Lirael]

@The Welsh Paddy Whilst I agree that it's unfair on those who want, need and can work to a high standard, I would hope that my hard work before a major breakup and my dedication to the job would not be forgotten in a personal crisis. Sure, if people don't work that hard normally, if they don't go the extra mile and only so the bare minimum to get a wage, it's less easy to empathise, but some people work incredibly hard and are dedicated, and reliable. Everyone can experience heartbreak and trauma... People should not lose their job if they are unable to handle it temporarily. Some jobs, like teaching, nursing and social care, require a lot from you emotionally. At times, it can be a strain on your happiness as it is! I know the teaching profession well, so I'll use that as an example...

On an average day, a teacher may have to deal with several difficult students, parents and fellow members of staff. At 8, before school, they may have a meeting with a parent who is unhappy. They will then have the normal tutor time followed by a five period day - pretty standard. They may have spent 2-4 hours planning ONE lesson, only to find the class is disruptive because of something which happened at break. After this, an A-Level student asks, appalled, why their essay hasn't been marked. Another student, one who always works hard and suffers from low self-esteem, brings in a four page essay. they have worked hard on this and desperately want to know how they have done because their exam is soon. In order to be fair, you have to make them wait. At lunch, a small group of year 10s come to discuss their controlled assessments, which have not been completed due to the students' illnesses and holidays they have taken during the term. One student does not turn up. This causes a lot of stress because the controlled assessments are being moderated the following week. Every day of the week, you have set up revision workshops for the students in year 11 because they asked you to run a few. However, only two turn up. Each workshop runs until 5. At 5, the teacher spends 2-5 hours marking, planning for the next day and answering emails. They may do this at home, but i haveknown teachers to stay in school til past 9. This only part of what one teacher will have to do in a day - as well as teach five lessons.

At times, teaching can be quite isolating as you have to spend so much time working in order to do a good job. I would not expect any human to be able to handle all of this whilst suffering themselves emotionally, without falling ill. There is only so much a body can take... At 23, I have not really encountered extreme heartbreak, but I believe people can feel it and I would not want someone to lose their job because they truly cannot handle all of the pressure in their job because of it. I do think there's a limit to how much time off one can give - schools need reliable teachers and 200 students should not be without a strong teacher - but we have to remember that each of those who work have emotions. As long as they do a good job normally, they deserve understanding.

 

[Artemisia]

“Not everyone needs to take maternity leave but with heartbreak, everyone needs time off… Just like when you get sick.”

That made me chuckle. Not everyone needs maternity leave? A break-up is more stressful than giving birth and handling a helpless newborn infant? Oh, Japan!

From personal experience, I have been through two heavy break-ups and gone straight back to work. It worked better for me than wallowing in post breakup blues at home, which assailed me on the weekends.

 

[Mr. Zombie]

People take relationships too seriously. The moment you start loving your partner more than yourself, you're doomed.

I'd rather work all day than waste my time on something that's not going to give any benefit.

And if that happened here in Brazil, everyday would be Valentine's Day.

 

[Paddy McGee]

Why should they get time off for having a broken heart? I don't think it's a matter of slave driving; it's a matter of getting the fuck on with your life. Wallowing in self-pity is never going to do anything for you- even if it seems like the right plan of action. By giving access to "break-up" days to employees, this company is going to do more harm in the long run. If you're busy and focusing on another topic, you'll forget about the breakup for the meantime. Hell, I've found work gives you a reason TO give a shit again, since it usually curtails someone giving you responsibility.

Obviously, the specific employee will have to sort certain arrangements out depending on the span and intensity of the relationship, but that's what you do when you're finished for the day. Living for work is unhealthy; but giving yourself TOO MUCH time is just as bad. Stress keeps a person on their toes; keeps them awake.


As for this scheme on a global basis: Japan have a fairly different work ethic compared to many nations. They drive for success. Okay, recently there has been movements rebelling this- but you get the point.

Here in Ireland, the amount of scamming is just appalling. Nobody wants to work. I'm skeptical that this idea would work out in Japan: Let alone a less work driven nation to be honest.

 

[iSmiff]

You have to consider that a common Japanese stereotype is linked to suicide. And while harsh, most stereotypes are based strongly or loosely on reality and therefore maybe it's a smart thing to implement. A breakup can be tough; that, coupled with a stressful relentless work environment can push people over the edge.

 

[Dionysos]

It’s interesting how many people treat the concept of heartache as something ridiculously silly, almost as a ‘First-World problem’, when it is often one of the primary urges of humankind to seek and maintain a reciprocal relationship. True, the primary urge of animals is just to reproduce (or ‘get laid’), but for humans it has developed into more than that for some people, and yet anyone in love or heartbroken is met with all sorts of abuse and assumptions and are sometimes openly despised in society.

I guess I perhaps overvalue the experience of long-term relationships because I’ve never had the honour of being in a relationship (and I’m not a ‘flinger’ either, nor would anyone ‘fling’ with me), but it concerns me sometimes how people react. Then again, we’re all our own beings, each with his/her own mind and thinking patterns.

Not all people hold the same concepts for relationships, and not every relationship is the same. People react differently. Some people, however, will be devastated (with reactions comparable to genuine mourning), and such people are not always going to be functional in a workplace.

That said, this system could easily be abused. Not all people will be hit harshly by a break-up, and at the other extreme some people may not care at all or even be glad for a break-up. The act of break-up alone is probably not strong enough to warrant time off work, but if a person has a break-down and crumbles to pieces afterwards then whether it is warranted or not, time off work, or at worst case scenarios, hospitalisation, may follow regardless of systems of rules like this.

 

[Big Casino]

People take relationships too seriously. The moment you start loving your partner more than yourself, you're doomed.

I'd rather work all day than waste my time on something that's not going to give any benefit.

And if that happened here in Brazil, everyday would be Valentine's Day.

Of course we take relationships seriously. If we dont when whats the point in them whatsoever? May aswell just go out and bang some cheap hookers everynight.
Some people take breakups harder than others. What happens in your personal life affects your day to day activities so much. If you dont understand what i mean then your lucky to have a life where everything sails smoothly. The fact that companies would give you a day or 2 to get your head together is pretty fucking nice if you ask me.
On the other hand though how do you know if the person is telling the truth or not?

 

[Mr. Zombie]

Of course we take relationships seriously. If we dont when whats the point in them whatsoever? May aswell just go out and bang some cheap hookers everynight.
Some people take breakups harder than others. What happens in your personal life affects your day to day activities so much. If you dont understand what i mean then your lucky to have a life where everything sails smoothly. The fact that companies would give you a day or 2 to get your head together is pretty fucking nice if you ask me.
On the other hand though how do you know if the person is telling the truth or not?

And what's the point in getting involved with someone so deeply to begin with? It only brings you trouble. Being casual, you suffer less (or don't suffer at all), and make things way easier in every way possible.

Also, it's a matter of choice, not luck.