No Call No Show

When it rains, it pours. Literally.

It was raining hard Tuesday night, I thought about not coming in to work because a mini Mississippi river was flowing right in front of our house. As luck would have it, the rain weakened so I unwillingly went out and fought the receding flood that was right in our doorsteps. I said to myself “this is going to be a long commute” after arriving at the place where I’m supposed to wait for a jeep to work, it started to rain hard again and I saw people treading knee deep waters and vehicles were being pushed by their anxious drivers and enterprising bystanders. It was time to call in and notify somebody at Workforce (OSC) that I won’t be able to come in.

Here’s how the conversation went:

I gave my name and department

Me: I won’t be able to come in today because I’m stranded.

Prick from WF: (after looking me up in his system)

So you can’t come in due to (sic) flood?

Me: Yes

Prick from WF: What time is your shift? (even though it shows in his system)

Me: 9:00pm

Prick from WF: So you’re calling in a few minutes before your shift starts? You’re suppose to call in 2 hours before your shift starts if you’re going to be absent.

Me: I was on my way to work but I can’t get a ride because of the knee deep water in the area.

Prick from WF: (as if not hearing anything that I’ve been saying) I’m going to tag this as

A … no-call ----- no-show.

ME: What? I’m at a sari sari store right now making this call. The reason I’m here, stranded, is because I wanted to come in but can’t… again because of impassable roads and all. You can come and pick me up here if you like.

Prick from WF: (as if not hearing anything that I’ve been saying, again) I’m going to give you a confirmation number and will transfer you to a TM (TL). Your confirmation number is……..

Me: (Right, like I was going to whip out a pen and paper or my mobile phone at a sari sari store). OK.

Prick from WF: I’m transferring your call now, don’t hang up.

Me: I WON’T

Unknown TM: Hello

Me: Who’s this?

Unknown TM: I’m ****

Me: (didn’t quite get the name) Can I talk to TM ****?

Unknown TM: He’s not around but I’ll handle your concern.

Me: OK. I’m not coming in because (repeating myself again)…

Unknown TM: You’re supposed to call 2 hours before your shift….you’re aware of that, right?

Me: But I didn’t plan on not coming in, it’s just that I’m stranded right now. Should I have called 2 hours before every time it rains hard?

Unknown TM: You live in the area so you should know if flood is going to be a problem.

Me: (silence)

Unknown TM: (Thinking he’s got me stumped) Am I right? You can come in late if you don’t want to get a NCNS.

Me: So you’re telling me to wait the rain and flood out?

Unknown TM: Yes.

Me: (silence)

Unknown TM: Just text or call *** if you decide to come in or not.

Me: Ok.

To be continued…NOT