Firstly let me clarify that I don’t work for any government. However, before I retired I worked in senior management for a few different types of industries. One of the worst types of behaviour I witnessed in every office was the frequent and often blatant disrespect for admin staff. It’s a terrible attitude where some people apparently believe that their senior position entitles them to treat anyone in a lower pay-scale position as if they’re inferior. It’s so stupid. I think one of the most important things that all of us need to remember is that the job doesn’t define the person, and it certainly doesn’t define their intellect. I’ve worked in many very senior positions, but I no longer do, and now I don’t care at all what title I have. For me it’s about whether or not I feel comfortable in the role. Did I help someone today? Did I make a difference? I think we all need to learn that “success” has much less to do with how much money we make or what our job title is, and much more to do with how we contribute to others and how much personal satisfaction we get from what we do to get paid.

You never know unless you try. When your supervisor calls you back into work, here’s what you do. Just give it a month. One month. And if you can’t get with it, then give them the word and resign. Don’t make any rash decisions that you might later end up regretting. Just try it out for one month, no more no less. One month. Good luck, my friend.

Yes you!!! Take it from person who been around the block a few times. You are wrong on all counts. You fell for the old I am so busy by the full timer staff trick. They had to say that to get approvals to bring you back so they can coast more than they already are. And they will not change their a ss ness and will not have learned anything from the pandemic. Get a grip! But I feel ya.

That everything will be the same when you go back. Never have I heard of colleagues suddenly appreciating people. It just doesn’t happen. I’ve worked for 2/3 of my life with people. People are generally only motivated by their own personal gain.

It’s going to be pretty surreal going back to the office after all this time.

I worked in both municipal and provincial government for 25 years. The worst example of this attitude was from my most recent manager. I told him our admin had done a great job on a project. His response was "oh her. She was born to serve". She is First Nations. I tried to stand up to him but there were no witnesses and guess which one of us is still there, and which one got bounced out?