Tangentially related rant that has no bearing on the letter or what the LW should/can do; I'm just feeling cranky:
While I am a reptile person going back years and years, turtles are not my favorite. Even then, I find the "(reptiles) carry thousands of diseases!!!!" scaremongering tiresome. Yes, some reptiles can carry some orally transmissible pathogens. The answer is don't make out with your iguana.
Actual thoughts on the letter:
I'd bet real money the turtles are $6 wild caught or farm raised red eared sliders, which are native to basically just Texas, and which get to be 12 inches across and are nigh on impossible to 1) keep healthy, because they're aquatic turtles and 2) find a rescue for.
Meanwhile, though, if you’re asked why you’re not taking the turtle home on weekends, just be very matter-of-fact that it’s not possible with your home-set up:
I really do not like the advice that follows, because it doesn't solve the actual problem and it sets LW up to be a Special Exception which is only going to lead to her coworkers resenting her.
I think honesty would be better here: "I'm not taking the turtle home because, like everyone else in this office, I did not ask for and do not want the turtle. The turtle is not my job, nor is it the job of anyone in this office. The best outcome for the turtle is surrendering it to a reptile rescue as soon as (highest ranking manager in site) can arrange it."
Tbh every single satellite office needs to unionize and then take the president before HR/force her out if possible.
no subject
Tangentially related rant that has no bearing on the letter or what the LW should/can do; I'm just feeling cranky:
While I am a reptile person going back years and years, turtles are not my favorite. Even then, I find the "(reptiles) carry thousands of diseases!!!!" scaremongering tiresome. Yes, some reptiles can carry some orally transmissible pathogens. The answer is don't make out with your iguana.
Actual thoughts on the letter:
I'd bet real money the turtles are $6 wild caught or farm raised red eared sliders, which are native to basically just Texas, and which get to be 12 inches across and are nigh on impossible to 1) keep healthy, because they're aquatic turtles and 2) find a rescue for.
Meanwhile, though, if you’re asked why you’re not taking the turtle home on weekends, just be very matter-of-fact that it’s not possible with your home-set up:
I really do not like the advice that follows, because it doesn't solve the actual problem and it sets LW up to be a Special Exception which is only going to lead to her coworkers resenting her.
I think honesty would be better here: "I'm not taking the turtle home because, like everyone else in this office, I did not ask for and do not want the turtle. The turtle is not my job, nor is it the job of anyone in this office. The best outcome for the turtle is surrendering it to a reptile rescue as soon as (highest ranking manager in site) can arrange it."
Tbh every single satellite office needs to unionize and then take the president before HR/force her out if possible.