'Working to go back to work', is the term I use to describe my present situation.

At the end of a fortnight or month, the income I receive is used to go back to work in order to avoid being out of a work. It is like slavery - working hard to stay alive.

Can I be absent from my job three consecutive days without submitting a medical certificate?

Can I pay tuition with the aim of getting a better-paid job from my income? Or can I shop and buy myself something costly to reward myself after waking up early every morning and sitting at a desk 40 hours for the week?

Aspirations

If I cannot accomplish the latter, am I simply working to avoid boredom and to meet my basic needs? Or am I working towards getting that dream home, a car, better education, help my family and to put aside enough for retirement? I am not sure that will work but for now, I am working to go back to work.

I am, etc.,

Kerry-Ann Simpson

Portland