Have you ever had a breakup that was so rough,
you wondered how the heck you were going to get out of bed the next
morning, let alone make it to the office? Oh, who are we kidding...everyone's had that kind of breakup. And if you haven't, then you must be the a**whole who's breaking everyone else's heart and you've got the mother
of all breakups heading your way soon (breakup karma's a b*tch).
Anyway, we've often wondered what the annual impact on the economy is
of all this heartache.
Seriously, a bad dumping can make you
unproductive for months on end--sure, you put in your nine to five each
day, but you spend the majority of your working hours stalking your ex
via Facebook, making teary phone calls to your BFF, or hiding in the
bathroom stall crying into roll upon roll of company T.P. Well, a Japanese company has come up with a brilliant (or at least compassionate) policy: heartbreak leave...
The
idea is, employees get time off for being pregnant or being sick or
mourning the death of a loved one, so why shouldn't they get time off
for being heartsick? But there are two major flaws in their policy:
Firstly, the older you are, the more days off you get. So if your heart
gets put through the blender in your early 20s, you only score a one
day break, whereas if it happens in your 30s, you get a whole three
days off. But what's more dramatic or life-altering or
productivity-lowering than a severe breakup in your 20s? And secondly,
in this policy, dumpers and dumpees get equal time off. Puh-lease.
There are pitifully few benefits to being the dumpee in this world...we
think this is one area where the dumpers should have to suck it up and
punch the clock.
Related Links from Daily Bedpost and Glamour:
Brilliant Idea of the Week: "Heartbreak Leave"
- by , on Thu May 15, 2008 9:43am PDT
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Posted by Thu May 15, 2008 4:09pm PDT
Report AbuseBrilliant and necessary!
When a very ex fiance dumped me, I actually took a day off (not the very first after the brakeup, adrenaline kept me alive for a few days) faking an illness.
And I spent the following month dying slowly. So 3 days off work would have worked wonders for me (I was 30 at the time, now happily married, ha!)
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Posted by Thu May 15, 2008 4:36pm PDT
Report AbuseDefinately!!!After a heartbreaking, surprise dump, I could not function. I went to work, but was pitifully unproductive. I couldn't even take phone calls without breaking into tears. What a great idea!
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Posted by Thu May 15, 2008 9:38pm PDT
Report AbuseYeah, we should get a day off. You're minds not on your job the day after a breakup so how can you be productive at work? It would be helpful to have a day to clear your head, recharge and refocus for a fresh start at work the next day.
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Posted by Fri May 16, 2008 2:01am PDT
Report AbuseHeartbreak leave??
How about heartbreak vacation!
Luckily I found someone special-and that helps.
Breakups are scars that blemish our happiness.
I was a zombie for over two years.
Used all sorts of vices and patches to hide my wounds.
I lost my way-my identity-my will.
Then one day...
I was struck by lightning and fell madly in love.
I still cant believe it.
I was rescued.
I know its cheezy but I'm happy.
PS: Does any one remember when being a celeb actually meant stardom.
It seems like these days we focus on all these minor stars-
Twinkles and tweens and the like. (Sigh) I dont know.
How much rehab, traffic stops, and tacky behavior can one read about anyway?
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Posted by Fri May 16, 2008 4:02am PDT
Report AbuseYes, we also get period vacation days over here in Japan.
No one really takes them now, but I think you are allowed 2 days off per month if your cramps are killing you. It doesn't count as your vacation/sick leave, and it is approved by the board of labor because every time you have to fill out a sheet explaining why you missed work, "period day" is one of the choices to select. I don't know of anyone who takes it, tho, probably b/c they are embarassed to submit it. I might be too, but if I had really bad cramps like I did all nite last night, I might be tempted to use it. Too bad I had to close a business deal today and couldn't skip....
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Posted by Fri May 16, 2008 6:03am PDT
Report AbuseI did the opposite after a heart-wrenching breakup - having to get up, go to work, and be productive, actually HELPED me. And believe me - I could have wallowed.
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Posted by Fri May 16, 2008 7:40am PDT
Report AbuseYou cry, you wonder why when everything was sooo wonderful and then you just suck it up and live with it. I do not think it ever goes away (very similar to a death). You put it away in a special place in your heart and go on with your life. God sends people into our lives all the time-sometimes for a few minutes and sometimes forever and everything in between. It really is true, that when you stop looking God will actually send someone to you. I pray it gets better.
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Posted by Fri May 16, 2008 7:53am PDT
Report AbuseThat is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard! GET OVER IT! Life does not stop because your boyfriend/girlfriend broke up with you..and business sure as heck doesn't stop either. If I had my own business and someone wanted time off b/c they had their heart broken...be here or you're fired! Yes - I have been completely heart broken where I stayed home all weekEND and cried. But guess what, you suck it up, fake a smile and get your ass to work Monday morning. People who take maternity leave, bereavement days, sick days, etc...have to prove that they are taking legitimate time off. How can you prove you just got dumped?! Many people would take so advantage of that. If it's that bad, then call in sick...that's what sick days are for!
That's whats wrong with today's society. Everybody wants sympathy and to be the victim. And thank you to other lady..i'm the same way. I have to stay busy to keep my head from thinking about bad things. You have a choice...you can either sit at home and wallow in your own tears or get up and continue life. Yes..I believe girls need their "time to move on" but you can't expect everyone else around you to be understanding of that time.
Kind of funny...just had a debate with someone who says illegal Mexicans are more hardworking than Americans which is why we should appreciate them being here, not scold them. I, of course, opposed that they were more hardworking than ALL Americans. And then, to read that people in my own country want time off because they had a bad break up...come on!! So disappointing! I believe women can be much stronger than that! And females wonder why men are typically in higher positions than woman. Men do not let their personal life interfere with their work life. I've always lived by this rule and it has made me come far in my career life. Something to think about...
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Posted by Fri May 16, 2008 8:07am PDT
Report AbuseOMG!!! Are you serious?.....
This has to be the most craziest BS I have ever heard, and we all wonder why we are "claimed" as the weaker of the two genders.
For the love of god you just broke up! Its not like you just lost your Mother,Father or child. (devastating reasons to take a day off)
Take a pill if you have cramps, in about 30 minutes it will kick in and you will feel better, same goes with the break up.
Your live hasnt ended, it has only gotten better...Move on your next victim is waiting for you!
PS. I agree with, she with the little feet!
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