Getting in Trouble at Work for Ridiculous Reasons

Recently I learned that one of my family members who lives somewhere in these United States recently got in trouble at work for doing something kind. FOR DOING SOMETHING KIND. Goodness.

As I understand it, the family member had a firedrill at her workplace. She works in a office building with several floors. So when the drill was over, the elevators had not yet started working. And in front of my family member's office with locked doors, there was a lady standing. My family member recognized the lady standing, as the lady had worked there for years. And the lady was waiting for the elevator to start up again. And my family member noticed that the lady was having difficulty- she uses a walker and was overweight and appeared to be having difficulty per my family member. So my family member offered this lady a seat in the waiting room/foyer of her office suite.

To me this is an act of kindness. But my family member got in trouble by her supervisor. Perhaps they thought it was a security risk. Who knows. But shame on them for disciplining my beloved family member!

Especially since the agency for which my family member works is designed to assist those with disabilities. If the concern was for security reasons,  perhaps said agency should have had a seat or two outside the elevator. Surely some of the individuals with disabilities who frequent their agency have difficulty in standing to wait for an elevator.

I wonder how the agency would have reacted had that lady fallen or passed out while waiting for said elevator.

Anyway, kudos to my family member for doing what the Savior would have done, in helping the lady to get a seat while she waited!

And while I'm on the topic of getting in trouble for ridiculous reasons..

one time when I worked for a state agency as a direct care giver, I got a written group notice for "failure to report to work at 5AM" which was my scheduled start time. Was this night owl late?? Absolutely not! Rather I came to work about 30 minutes early in order to prepare for the day. I DID NOT "clock in" early- rather I considered that extra half hour volunteer time.  At the time I had a job administering medications to individuals with severe disabilities. Most of the patients had at least 10 meds as well as topical medications. Plus I had to prepare tube feedings. It was a very challenging and stressful routine. By arriving early, the day started off smoothly, and the patients received all their needed medications in a timely manner. As an added benefit, when able, I generally had extra time to assist with patient needs "on the floor".

Nonetheless, I think my supervisor at the time didn't like that I came in early. So I got in trouble for arriving early to work, for failing to report at "5AM".

Gotta laugh!