BC’s Blog

I work for a new-media company, Ottaway Newspapers, and we have a number of daily publications spread out around the country. One of our newspapers, The Times Herald Record, is just around the corner from our offices.

Last week, one of the folks in the technology department didn’t show up for work. He never, ever just doesn’t show up. There is always a call from him. His supervisor called his cell phone, left a messsage when there was no answer and still there was no call. The next day, he didn’t show up again and still there was no call. The supervisor tried again and this time, when he could not connect, he got worried there might be a problem and called the police. George was found, next door at his parent’s house. He had passed away while checking on their residence and bringing in the mail while they were away on vacation.

Needless to say, everyone was touched by this discovery and today, many are attending the funeral. We all mourn his passing.

This experience really made me think. You see, I live alone too, just like George. Would my co-workers have sent someone looking for me? Would your co-worker’s send someone looking for you? Does your company have a plan or procedure for locating an employee that suddenly and uncharacteristically doesn’t show up for work and doesn’t call?

I am unsure of any existing policy to address this issue at Ottaway. We do, however, keep track of the folks that work in our technology department. Anyone out on vacation, personal days or sickness reports to our helpdesk. We maintain a bulletin board where information about our employee’s whereabouts is posted for all to see. I think I know where my co-worker’s are 90 percent of the time.

What does your company do, if anything, to assure the safety of employees?

Congratulations USA!

We have come together as one voice and resoundingly expressed our desire for change. Our statement has been heard loud in clear in our capital. Our politicians have been put on notice. Do it right, get it right or leave town. We can no longer struggle to barely make ends meet while others greedily bury us in debt. We can no longer stand idly by and watch them ruin our financial future and security. We have all said this, each and every one, no matter whom we voted for in this election.

Now, we must all unite behind those we have given the task of adjusting our course. While certainly they must step up and prove themselves worthy, support them until they fail to meet our expectations.

If they fail, send them packing. We have, as a country, shown that we do have the power in our votes to create change. We retain that power going forward and we have reminded everyone that we will make a stand for our self-preservation.