Today’s flag ceremony was sponsored by the X Department and
cited the observance of the Values Month.
One of the chiefs of the agency was made to discuss which value she
esteems highly and would like others to also demonstrate. She answered, “hard-work.” She then discussed the importance of hard-work
in accomplishing the tasks on hand.
Hard-work, according to her, is what brought her to her present position
as well as those who are also now serving their high posts in the agency.
I looked around to see if any of my colleagues shared the
boss’ sentiment. I hardly saw any nod of
agreement. And I understand why.
The past few weeks since I started working in this esteemed
institution, I have been in shock. But my acculturation isn’t over yet. I am torn between adulation, confusion,
frustration, as well as disillusionment.
My adulation for the agency stemmed from the fact that everyone
in the office literally labors hard. Unlike
my previous exposure in the Judiciary where employees waste their while most of
the time, our government agency truly
consists of hard-workers. They don’t have
siestas here, hardly rest even during lunch breaks, and seldom engage in any chitchat. Their office hours do not begin at 8am. Neither does it end at 5pm. They are mindless of the time when they
work. Many even sleep in the office and
stay late doing whatever needs to be done.
But that is why I am confused…
I am confused because being government employees, my
colleagues know that they don’t get overtime pay. And yet, they work unmindful of the clock. They even work on weekends. I’ve been told that this while they are not being
forced to work this much, they feel a strong sense of obligation nevertheless
to work hard and finish their tasks as soon as they else, they will have compounded
tasks.
Being such, my co-workers don’t get to spend much time
anymore with their families. Many
mothers leave their children to the care of others, a nanny or a close relative
who is their substitute. And I am
frustrated.
I thought a career is important because it is where a parent
can earn subsistence to support his family.
But if a career becomes this demanding, will the financial (or even
professional) rewards outweigh the neglect and absence that the family has to
naturally suffer brought about by an unavailable parent?
I do not know well my colleagues yet. I have no idea how they raised their children
or if they are happy and content with their family lives. But at this stage of my adjustment, I am
already disillusioned. I cannot
comprehend how a mother can remain active, available, and responsible to her
children and at the same time manage a “fulfilling,” successful, and “happy”
career in this work environment. True,
one may lead a successful career, earn the respect and reverence of colleagues
and the society, and even be recognized by the world as a model employee…but if
she fails at her God-given task of being a good and responsible parent, will
all those successes be enough?
I once remember someone saying somewhere that “no amount of
success outside can compensate for one’s failure at home.” I believe that with all my heart. Even the scriptures warn that “One cannot
serve two masters at the same time…” (Matthew 6:24).
I do not wish to preempt anything. I just wish to remain steadfast in my
convictions. So if time would come when I
must choose which master to serve, I most
definitely will choose the career where I will never retire, will never be
promoted, will never be paid: that of being a parent.
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