I can’t believe that Labor Day already came and that summer is almost over. It seems like just yesterday that my son finished his school year and started summer vacation. Also, for me, it’s been a long, transformational year and a half of working from home. So, it was good that Labor Day gave me an opportunity to think about a few things.

Don’t Bother Coming In
Pre-pandemic, hearing the above words would have probably made some employees started to wonder and speculate. However, this was the general message that I heard back in mid-March of 2021. I remember being told on Wednesday, March 11th to stay home (presumably to stress test our systems). Then, two days later, it was: (a) my son’s last day of school that year and (b) was my first official day of staying home. While my son has returned to school, I have not yet “returned to the office.”

I remember how those early days of the pandemic were filled with so much unknown and fear. I remember that people were advised to wear gloves while pumping gas. Groceries and packages were left in the garage or outside to make sure that they didn’t present a risk. During the early days of MI lockdowns, the recommendation was to send out one person per household to run errands (ex. buying groceries) to lower the overall household risk exposure.

Also, in those early days, I knew a few neighbors that temporarily lost their food-industry jobs. One went from managing an establishment to staying home. Another went from making food for the public at a popular pop-up spot to staying home. Fortunately, both have returned to work.

Another group that, sometimes, didn’t have to go in were schoolkids. I remember that, at various points my son was in person, to completely at home to sporadically staying home after a reported COVID outbreak. While kids either in full virtual or in face-to-face have been affected to varying degrees, I, also, have to mention how our teachers had to quickly pivot, in order to implement online education (when the need arose).

Somehow, someway, schoolkids, parents, teachers and other staff made it through the 2020-2021 school year.

You’re Coming Back In…Oh, Wait…
So far, I’ll be returning to the office towards the end of September for a few days per week. I have chatted with loved ones and acquaintances, where we inevitable comes up, “So are you back?” Some have, although I don’t think anyone goes in for the entire workweek. Some go for a few days per week or as the need arises. Others’ return has been postponed. An article from News & Tech mentioned how The New York Times Company indefinitely postponed their return, Google until October and Twitter still has their NY and San Francisco offices closed.

Then, there are the uncertainties regarding working parents’ kids. For example, right now, our school district decided to go entirely face-to-face. There is no virtual option: the explanation provided is that there wasn’t enough interest from parents. A few people on Facebook wonder that, if/when classes are quarantined or shut down due to an outbreak, what is the plan (Will virtual options, then, be deployed? If so, what are they? Will homework be sent home?)

No One Is An Island
In a passage from (English poet) John Donne’s “Meditation 17” Devotions Upon Emergent Occasions, he writes,

“No man is an iland, intire of it selfe;
Every man is a peece of the Continent, a part of the maine...”

In this passage, Donne writes how no one lives truly separately, since we’re part of a larger group (“a part of the maine“). During the pandemic, I feel that at least two things became apparent: (1) how easy supply chains can be disrupted and (2) the emergent importance of low-wage employees in the food (ex. restaurants) and service (ex. grocery store employees, etc.) industries. We couldn’t always get what we wanted, when we wanted it.

Specifically, I think of two examples. Regarding supply chain disruptions, I remember how early in the pandemic, that there was a run (unexpected demand) on construction materials like wood. Also, I remember that there were a lot of people hoarding groceries, so there were times that it was very hard to find some household goods and shortages were, sometimes, for the strangest items.

Regarding low-wage employees, I saw this in two situations. The first dealt with grocery store employees. Early on, there were some that, despite the reported possibly early COVID risks, came in to stock the shelves or as cashiers. Then, there were others that understandably go in because (a) they were scared or (b) they might not have had childcare for kids whose daycare might have shut down or whose school was shutdown due to outbreak or quarantine. I don’t believe that this as much of an issue. During the pandemic, they were considered essential workers because they are, as they help to keep our society running.

The second situation with low-wage employees deal with verbal or physical abuse from the public. While I can understand that customers may have been dealing with personal issues, they clearly forgot about the valuable service that that employee that provided them and to others: providing the physical means to feed and supply them and/or their families. I would ask if attacking store employees was how they gave thanks? After a point, workers might start feeling, “I don’t get paid enough to deal with this shit.” You know what? I don’t think that they’re wrong. If they decide to transition into a better playing job with better benefits, I can’t blame them. As much as they do for us, shouldn’t they get better support?

If not enough people work to help goods and supplies get from Point A to Point B, if low-wage employees don’t have the supports to go into work, if low-wage workers move into higher paying jobs with better benefits, could some of us still say, “It’s not my problem?” In this case, it’s not only their problem but it’s our problem.

Rest Who Are Heavy Laden
Many of us have dealt with a lot, since this pandemic has started. We have been in and out (and in?) of the office. Our kids have been in and out of school, which can impact our ability to work. Some of us may have lost our jobs and have returned to them or found different jobs. At various times, we have struggled to buy what we need or want. We have been through a lot.

Now, as we go into Labor Day 2021, I feel that we have more reason to pause and think about what has brought our working society here (including but not limited to labor protections such as workplace safety, whistleblower protections and the idea of the traditional 40 hour workweek). Two phrases that I’ve persistently heard is a living wage and a $15/hr minimum wage. Prior to the pandemic, I never would have thought about either because maybe certain realities weren’t obvious to me. In my opinion, the pandemic stripped these illusions and brought light onto certain issues of pay, childcare, etc. can no longer be ignored.

Today, I’m taking the opportunity to spend time with my family, while having a day off from work. I am fortunate that I can help support my family. I am fortunate to still work from home. If my son has to stay home from school, I don’t need to worry about childcare. However, I know that not many can say the same. Some need to work multiple jobs and still struggle financially. Some people’s childcare might be shaky. Maybe things aren’t as easy, as we thought. If they’re not yet easy, how can we make things easier for working parents and their kids?

If you experienced challenges, during the pandemic, I hope that you’re past them. If you’re still experiencing them, I hope that you’re able to find the support that you need or, if you want to change things in your life to improve your circumstances, I hope that you’re successful. If you’re fortunate enough to have a carefree Labor Day, I hope that you haven’t lost sight of the various supports that have helped to protect our way of life. At the same time, realize that not everyone has the same protections and supports as you that could improve theirs and their family’s lives. This is Labor Day.

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