Entitlement

One difference I can make between my last job and working for the university is the sense of entitlement regarding leave time. Because small businesses need to run as efficiently as possible, it's important to have just the right amount of people. This means that when a person is sick or goes on vacation, the business is short-handed and often times panic ensues if the absence is sudden. Inevitably, someone will be working overtime unpaid or handling the additional stress. I remember feeling guilty when I took off or feeling a little resentful sometimes (I'm embarrassed to admit) when someone else did. In my mind was a dialogue that went, "I'm so glad she's taking off (it was a business of mostly women), she deserves it," but then, "Did she have to take so many days?? We are swamped! There's no way I can finish everything!" 

However, at the university, when someone takes off, the resounding response is, "Good for him/her!" Or in the case of someone being sick, "Oh no! I hope he/she is ok!" There's very little or no guilt or ill feelings. Even if there are ill feelings, people seem to keep them in check. It's like a code of conduct for our right: that every one may take time off. These feelings were expressed less often at the small business, or were accompanied by slight resentment that someone was indulging in a luxury. 

Not surprisingly, two different tones are set in these environments, and each affects how you view your coworkers, the value of your work, and the type of goals you have (do you pursue a hobby or catch up on sleep?). In myself, I found the change in all the above striking: my goals are focused more on personal interests (instead of needs), I view my coworkers' attendance and business with more casualty, and - to be honest - I value my work itself less (it's still valued, but I don't have as much heart in it).

Which camp do you fall in and do you find these observations true for your situation?