Last night, I got an email from my job. It was addressed to all the per diem workers on my unit, reminding us of our education and scheduling requirements to stay in the hospital’s good graces. There was no due date in the email for the education compliance.

Failure to comply, it concluded, may result in termination.

I set my laptop aside after reading the email and tried to figure out what about the email had bothered me. I remember a similar from one last year. When I read it, I freaked out – Was I behind on my education? Was I working enough weekend hours? (Everything was fine.)

This year, I have been so mentally bogged down by family life, homeschool life, and the pandemic that I actually HAVEN’T done my education, at least not all of it. So maybe the email WAS for me.

Once I allowed my heart enough to room to speak, though, what I heard was this.

We are all feeling scared, and alone.

The last thing anyone needs is a vaguely threatening email from work.

What I want is an email that says something like this:

“Thanks, Per Diem Workers.

We really appreciate all the times you stepped up this year to fill holes in the schedule. Like all of us, you are exhausted and overwhelmed with parenting, home duties, and current events. You must also be afraid because as health care workers, you are putting your lives at risk to come into work during a pandemic.

As Per Diems that you may be concerned you are at the bottom of the list for the COVID vaccination because of your employment status. We want to assure you that you are indeed on the list and can expect to be contacted regarding the availability of a vaccine in ___ – ___ weeks. Thanks again for all your hard work.

By the way, our weekend work and education requirements haven’t changed, but because of the pandemic, you’ll have an extra six weeks to meet those requirements. The date your education requirements must be completed is __/__/__.

Sincerely,

Your Boss”

I know that’s an email I’m not likely to get, which I guess is why I’m writing it to myself now.

Have you gotten any communication recently that just added to the stress you were already feeling? How would you have revised it to give yourself what you needed to hear?

Update: Since I only go into work twice a month, my boss usually sends important work emails to my personal account so I get them in a timely fashion. The emails going out about the vaccine were coming from The Man and not my floor supervisor, so they fell into the black hole of my work email. After burning a few brain cells out reading through the algorithm for vaccine eligibility, as a part of the in-patient hospital staff, I can get one. I’ll be going in for my first dose in a day or two.

Second Update: First dose of Moderna is in. I’m left handed and I let them use my left arm and that wasn’t wise. Never be afraid to self-advocate! The worst they can do is say no! I got the shot last Wednesday and my arm is still sore. Just like COVID is worse than the flu, apparently the COVID shot is more painful than the flu shot. The pain was the worst the first couple of days and is now just a dull ache. Knowing I’ve taken a step towards normalcy and feeling safe was worth it. Please, please get the shot when you have the opportunity to do so. I WANT TO BE ABLE TO GO TO LIVE CONCERTS AGAIN AND ALSO OCCASIONALLY HUG ADULTS WHO ARE NOT IN MY FAMILY. I didn’t even know I had this need before COVID. The hugging. I knew about needing live music. Get the dang vaccine.