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This is a very sad day in the office
A coworker and friend found out on NYE that her son (who is only 22) was in a motorcycle accident while visiting family in FL. He wasn't wearing a helmet, which apparently you don't have to do in FL if you're over 21. He's in a coma now, and if he ever wakes up will more than likely have serious brain damage. She flew out yesterday to be with him.
Yesterday was a worse day, but today you can really feel her absence. She is going down there all by herself, with no support and I just can't imagine what that must be like. That first look at him... it breaks my heart. I couldn't sleep very well last night thinking about it.
And now the powers that be are already trying to figure out what to do about her job. The office I work in is extremely demanding. She just can't be out for long and be able to come back as normal. It's really terrible.
Re: This is a very sad day in the office
That's awful. Things like that happening just seem so unfair. I will be thinking of them.
I hope that people in the office sort of rally around her in a way- taking on her projects at least in part and trying to push some stuff off until they get a better idea of what's going to happen. My office is like yours as well, so I understand what you're saying.
The poor woman; I hope things work out for her. I can't believe your office would be so ruthless in regards to her job; my industry is pretty cutthroat, but they wouldn't go that far. What kind of work do you do?
Also, I really don't understand states that don't have helmet laws, or riders that choose to not wear a helmet even if there is no law. I don't want to come across as insensitive and will delete if you guys want, but my DH rides (and I'll hitch rides with him) and wearing a helmet seems like common sense. Motorcycle riding is already treacherous enough, why increase your chances of serious injury? I dunno, I just feel really strongly about this topic and shake my head when I see riders who, for example, pull over at the NH border just so they can remove their helmets before continuing their rides.
I totally agree. I ride with DH sometimes too, and I can't imagine getting on a bike and not wanting to wear a helment. Sure, they might not be the most fashionable headwear, but c'mon!
We have a friend who was hit-and-run while stopped at a red light on his bike... wearing a helmet is the only thing that saved his life.
Anyway, I'm so sorry to hear about your coworker... it's so tough, and I hope everything pulls through....
Rock- I agree on the helmet issue. Apparently he was just going around the corner but it's still dangerous. I hope he pulls through.
Thanks for all the kind words. I too hope my work can be accomodating. I work at a college, and everything runs on lead sourcing, appointments, enrollments, and continuous work with a student once they are a student. So it's difficult to be out for a while.
The problem is that the hospital is telling her that he may be in a coma, or at least will need to be in their care for 6 mo to a yr. She and her family all live up here and he's in a hospital in FL. What does she do? There's no one down there. She might have to take family leave if she decides to stay with him.
That is sad.. I hope a miracle happens for them.
IMO even if the law states that you don't have to wear a helmet I think you would be foolish to not wear one if riding on a motorcycle. You just never know what could happen.
This is terribly sad. I'm sorry for your coworker and send so many thoughts and prayers her way.
Does she qualify for FMLA? I believe that covers immediate family members as well. Legally, your place of employment may be required to keep her job open for her. Would she be able to do her job from a distance? In the immediate timeframe, she'll definitely be preoccupied, but if she's going to be in Florida for 6 months to a year, maybe that would work well for both parties? Alternatively, once he's stabilized, can they move him up here? (The medical care is MUCH better up here! Trust me. I lived in Florida for the past 9 years and even in the two months I've lived here, this is clear to me.)
The helmet laws in Florida are ridiculous. Bike Week in Daytona brings numerous casualties every year. I really, really hope that your friend's son survives and surprises everyone by healing quickly with no long-term damage.
This Kind of Love- I hope they can fly him up here but as he's still in a coma, it wouldn't be until he wakes up and is stable. As for her job, I know they're going to try to keep it open. Before she left I told her to look into FMLA. I know she's going to if this is going to be long term with him down there and her needing to be with him. Hopefully everything will work out ok. We're all praying for them. This family has been through so much. Just last year he (coworkers son) lost his fiance to cancer. So he's been working hard to be happy and get his life back on track and now this.
Wow, that's a lot to handle all at once. Sending lots of good thoughts his way.
That is so sad. Does your college offer donations of vacation/sick leave? I know the University I worked for in Florida did. Maybe your office and solicit people to donate a day or two of their leave to your coworker?