Today there is snow and ice on the ground. It can be considered a typical February weather event. Still, local folks still don’t seem to have enough of it to gain experience in driving in it nor does our DOT have equipment to properly maintain roads for clear passage.
Libby and I came in to work today two hours late because we decided on our own accord it wasn’t safe. You would think with the diversity of people in a military setting we’d have a sufficient pool of knowledge to anticipate and maintain a ready communication with its staff whether active duty or civilian. But that’s not the case.
It snowed yesterday until the ground was covered and then it sleeted on top of that to seal it on the roads, then the command decided to let us all go home. They said be safe and everyone scurried off into the roadways slick with this sure recipe of ice, snow and temps in the upper 20’s. As we left they assured us for the present moment we would be on a regular schedule for today. Surely they jest.
I was up at my usual time this morning and after venturing out we made the plan to wait till the sun was up. Why? Because we checked the news on TV and there was nothing to indicate a change in status. I checked the base website. It was on a two hour delay, but us, no such announcement. The Navy operates on its own accord in events like this. The hospital Facebook page carried nothing newer than a fifteen hour old announcement from the previous day. Nothing new to parallel the base’s announcement of the delay was to be seen.
The leadership of the hospital at present can’t necessarily be blamed. It’s been this way since I’ve worked here. That’s twenty-seven year’s worth of the same.
Employees are always frustrated by the hold over in bad weather and then expected to come in on time with the roads still impassable on the side roads. Some even live several miles away. They, as well as me, are left to wonder what to do, especially when we are required to arbitrarily take leave. All I can hope for is that someone will decide to give the civilian workforce admin time.
There’s still a hitch in the get-a-long though. Some contractors don’t allow for pay to employees to operate under the command’s admin time policy. Without question they will have to use leave or get no pay for time off. What gets me is that these contracting companies get paid for so many days, even it an employee is out without pay. How do they make money, you ask? At the expense and possibly the life of one of their employees, because if they know they’re not getting paid they will venture out no matter what to ensure they have money to support their families and themselves if no one else. Why would I think a contractor is so selfish? I know one for sure is under investigation for misappropriation of funds. Look it up if you like. It’s news in Maryland. They shouldn’t even be allowed to hold government contracts.
My rant this morning is brought to you by normal everyday life. It’s not new nor will it get old. Or maybe it has already has.
Livin' Small 
With such an intense winter this year, I know people across the country are frustrated with situations such as you describe. Here in the north, there seems to be a pride in our ability to conduct business as usual no matter what the weather. Last year, there was so much snow, and many days, the weather people would suggest staying home if at all possible. But my employer has never shut down due to weather in the ten years I’ve been there. Most businesses remain open regardless of how severe the snow or ice on the roads. We all just seem to accept that we have to put ourselves in danger during inclement weather in order to keep our jobs.