Austin's Lesbo BBQ

Yes...happy birthday, indeed.

I had a damn nice Fourth of July...it's the one holiday of the year that I've generally managed to not have to work, PLUS it's one of my favorites.....

Why? Because there's no real obligations associated with it. I'm not expected to attend services..be anywhere in particular...or spend it with a certain person/persons....not that I dislike spending time with anyone in particular, but I don't harbor any residual Catholic guilt when I'm not with my family on this day.

I got to sleep late...then ate some French toast (um..I mean Freedom Toast...)..watched Italia kick some ass in the World Cup Semi-Finals (yes...it's that big sport that 99% of the world refers to as football....although, we may be more familiar with the term soccer...)...enjoyed some BBQ and good company...and then fruitlessly pursued a big fireworks show in Cedar Park...BUT we all ended up hanging out and playing anyway...I really had an awesome day overall.

So, that was yesterday. Today, I started gradually working on Peace Corps stuff again, peppered with some more World Cup (eh, I only saw a little bit on a very fuzzy Univision at my house) and then I was required to go up to my employer's corporate office to sign some stuff regarding an HR transition.

Gah. Ok...first, before I start my unchecked rant for the day, I'd like to state that I really, really, really love this country. I still fully believe that I'm lucky enough to have been born in a country where you can do a whole-lotta-shit if you have the will...we also have a whole-lotta-inherent rights...whether we know about them or not....I like the Constitution and suggest that every able-minded individual give it a read and maybe some of our elected officials, too... So, anyway...I could go on about this for hours.

Anyway...that doesn't really have much to do with any of my situations...on the surface, anyway. During my company HR transition today, I was coerced by my new bosses that I should probably "...just sign it...it'll be ok."

Yikes.

If there's one type of phrase that sets off my internal "legal issues" alarm, it's that one. The particular form that I hesitated a wee bit to sign pertained to waiving my legal rights to sue in the event of an on-the-job accident.

See...I'm not a lawyer...currently, I'm a part-time, base minimum-wage-earning, delivery driver...but, the semi-educated logical side of me makes me wonder how exactly I would benefit from giving all the power regarding my health care/injuries to The Company...I should really just waive my right to litigation and allow The Company to pick a mediator if I have a problem....yes...

I should sign this form stating that all my health care and doctors connected to my work-related injury will be chosen by The Company. If I go to a doctor or hospital that The Company has not approved of, I have automatically given up my right to pursue compensation. Mind you, that because I signed this form...I've also given up my right to sue.

Remember, if The Company doctor or mediator doesn't side with me....or determines that my work environment was not at fault for my injures...oh well...sucks to be me. They won't pay for my treatment but I can't get a lawyer and sue either.

Soooo...here's where I'm stuck. Exactly what rights as an employee does this leave me? Why should I believe that The Company will act in my best interest?

Today when I was at this meeting, I asked The Company representative if my pay or employment was going to be effected if I didn't sign and turn in this form. Her general response was:

HR Lady: Well, this form just makes sure that you're going to receive payment if you get hurt on the job.

Me: Yeah...I know. But, the general summary at the end of this packet basically says that enrolling in this program waives my right to pursue litigation.

HR Lady: Yes...but, do you hurt yourself at work often?

Me: Well...I dunno. Sure...sometimes...I take it as it comes...but, that doesn't really matter right now. I just want to know if I HAVE to sign this form in order to be employed here.

HR Lady: Well, no...not really. Although, they'll probably get on your case for not signing it.

Psssh...I wonder why. When I looked up from browsing over the extensive literature, I found that I was the only one left in the meeting room...apparently, nobody else cared...or maybe they have better sense than me.

I've been pretty fortunate to not hurt myself very seriously at work...yet. I don't know what's going to happen if I end up in the ER when I break a bone because I work in an unsafe environment. Maybe I'm shooting myself in the foot by denying the loving care of The Company.

....sometimes...I ask myself, "Why the hell am I always thinking that corporations are out to get me...or moreover, generally inclined to make decisions that are far from my best interest?"

I believe I generally know the answer to that...at least partly. Ummm....because they're not. Individuals hardly matter to large companies....groups of individuals, maybe...but, one guy with a broken finger? Hmmm...but it would really suck to BE that guy with the unusable finger...huh.

And...think about it....Who, if ANYBODY, is inclinded to make a decisions in your best interst when it's their money at stake? Jesus? No, no....I got it...The president!

... in reality, the only entities that come to mind are myself, my close friends and family.

Whatev.

Also, a few years back I was faced with an on-going situation where I was often pressured to "just sign it"....ummmm...no? In some cases, that slight movement of your wrist can end up costing you a lot more than money.

Again....why are these people, who don't know me at all, so eager to have my name on their forms? I think I'm gonna take it home and read it first. In my very limited experience, I feel like I retain MORE rights and benefits when I withhold that signature rather than doling it out like some bank's promotional stress ball.

I can't recall one situation I've been in where someone has told me, "Whew. Good thing you signed these forms beforehand!"

...maybe I'm just paranoid...

Oh..and for the record, I don't believe in modern love either.

But...I'm happy to be a citizen of 'merica...I get to make these kinds of decisions without having a semi-automatic weapon pointed at my head...and still earn a paycheck. Umm...for now.