The Ups and Downs of a Stressful Work Day

It was just another day, or so I thought, when I arrived at the office in the morning, ready to tackle whatever tasks were on my list. Much to my surprise, things took a surprising, and often frustrating, turn. Let me take you through my tumultuous workday and the challenges I faced.

Starting the Day

Today, unlike many others, started with a bit of routine—a routine that has become my normal. I turned on the machines to warm up the cycle, a task I do every day. I’m the only one who opens the company and turns off all the lights and machines at the end of the day. However, today was different. I had to wait for my manager to arrive before I could leave the office, as something urgent needed to be addressed. I decided to take on the role of an acting employee until my manager could arrive. This added a touch of unpredictability to my usual routine. My goal? To ensure things ran smoothly and to avoid any potential issues with my pass.

Acting Responsibilities

My acting responsibilities involved more than just ensuring everything was in order. I had to open the surface grinding machine to clean the coolant tank until my boss arrived. When he finally came in, he had two bags that might contain workpieces. I humbly asked for his permission to clean, and he granted it. It was a small, but significant act of responsibility for me.

Challenging Tasks

Slowly, I started my work, which required me to use various clothes to clean the coolant. These included cotton, nylon, and even some hard material. The task was arduous, with more dust than I had anticipated. Cleaning the tank and the machine around it took a grueling three hours. By the time I finished, I was utterly exhausted. Nevertheless, the satisfaction of a job well done brought a small measure of relief. At lunchtime, I finally had some time to rest, as our usual one-hour lunch break allowed for some much-needed respite.

Office Environment

Yengbam, the company I work with, has a distinct office environment. Their yellow uniform stands out from our sky blue, yet I find it more appealing. The camaraderie among colleagues within Yengbam is evident, and they shared the fish curry and white rice I brought from home with them. It was a comforting meal, shared in a supportive and friendly atmosphere.

A Tumultuous Turn of Events

Unfortunately, as the day wore on, the unexpected and stressful moments continued. Around 12:45, a significant change came to the office. Two people had quit, and I was called into a legal meeting. My computer was being worked on by IT, and I lost access to essential files and reports. An hour later, my husband received a text message, asking if I was in a car accident, which I assured him I wasn't.

?e stress of the day was palpable when I got home. For 15 minutes, I sat in my car in the garage, processing everything that had happened. Reflecting on the events of the day, I wondered if it was wrong to take a PTO day, especially while giving two weeks' notice.

In conclusion, my workday was a mixture of routine tasks, unexpected challenges, and a rare moment of camaraderie. The day took a significant toll on me, and as I reflect on it now, I hope it can serve as a lesson on the importance of communication and the value of a supportive workplace environment.