I never thought that getting COVID-19 would cause such a huge disruption in my life. As a young girl in her early twenties, I always considered myself to be healthy and invincible.
It all started with a slight cough and a fever that I thought was just a common cold. But as the days went by, my symptoms worsened and I knew something was wrong. When I finally got tested, the results came back positive for COVID-19. I was shocked and scared, but I was determined to fight this virus and get back to my normal life as soon as possible.
I isolated myself at home and followed all the necessary precautions. I took all the prescribed medications and drank plenty of fluids.
However, my excitement was short-lived when I received an email from my bank manager asking me to come back to work. I was surprised and confused because I thought my manager would be understanding of my situation. But as I read the email, I could sense the disappointment and frustration in my manager’s words.
He mentioned that the bank was short-staffed and they needed all hands on deck. He also expressed his disappointment that I had taken such a long leave of absence, stating that it had caused inconvenience to my colleagues and customers. He ended the email by asking me to come back to work as soon as possible.
I felt a mix of emotions – guilt, anger, and disappointment. I understood the importance of my job and the need for all employees to be present during these challenging times. But I couldn’t believe that my manager was not even considering my health and well-being.
I decided to call my manager and explain my situation to him. I told him about my experience with COVID-19 and how I had followed all the necessary protocols. I also mentioned that I was not feeling better and not ready to come back to work. But my manager was not convinced. He kept insisting that I come back immediately and that my absence had caused a lot of inconvenience to the bank.
I was hurt and frustrated. I had always been a dedicated and hardworking employee, and I never thought that my manager would treat me like this. I tried to reason with him, but he was adamant that I come back to work as soon as possible.
Feeling defeated, I decided to consult with my doctor and get a medical certificate stating that I was fit to return to work.
I will quit soon
When I finally returned to work, I could feel the tension and awkwardness between my manager and me. It was clear that he was still unhappy with my absence. But I was just grateful to be back and to have recovered from the virus.
This experience taught me the importance of empathy and understanding in the workplace. As an employee, I always put my job first, but I never expected my manager to prioritize the bank’s needs over my health. I hope that in the future, employers will be more understanding and considerate of their employees’ well-being, especially during a global pandemic.