I caused CHANGE!

Remember this post about how I hate having a separate vacation/sick time policy? Well, I actually wrote about my feelings on this issue in my employee survey this year. This was a big step for me. Usually I don't write anything in my employee survey because I'm scared management will trace my comments back to me. And I don't want everyone to judge me as a whiny, complaining, annoying little girl. But this year, I was brave! I figured if I don't step up and explain how I feel about an issue, I have no right to complain about it. So I did! (Of course, I explained it in a nice, constructive, professional manner...not like the letter from my blog post. :-) )

Well a few weeks ago, we had a benefits meeting to explain the changes in the 2011 benefits plan. I almost decided not to sit in the meeting since I'm on my husband's health/dental/vision plan at his company. But I went anyway in case anyone in my department had a question regarding any of the benefits we offer.

And lo and behold...I caused CHANGE! No, we didn't switch to PTO. Boo. BUT, now we're allowed to use 3 of our sick days for "personal reasons." The HR manager explained that "personal reasons" can be anything from "taking a day off for a doctors appointment, taking a day off to care for a sick child, or taking a day off to attend you son's soccer game." I was still a little confused as to what we could use the days for, so I was very grateful when the new girl (who also doesn't have children) asked, "So basically, we can use these days for anything we want? Like if I wanted to go to the spa, I could use one of these days?" And the HR manager said YES! Woo hoo! I technically just scored 3 more vacation days!!!! Do you know what a difference that's going to make in my life? Now I'll be able to take a FULL week off in the summer for vacation, a FULL week off at Christmas to spend time with my family AND still have THREE days to use for weekend trips to see people graduate, attend weddings, and just take a day off now and then when I am BURNT OUT AND SO SICK OF MY JOB THAT I'M ABOUT TO EXPLODE!!!!

So yeah...

I'm pretty happy about the extra 3 days. :)

And I feel like I was the one that pushed upper management to make the change - which is totally cool!

So starting January 1st, 2011, I will no longer complain about how few vacation days I'm allowed. And if I do, you can totally call me out on it. :)