u/Unfair-Parfait6261

Everyone keeps saying the economy is fine, but I went to a job fair in Providence and there had to be around 95 people there. I've also started seeing people of almost every age applying at places like Panera and Target, which are the same kinds of jobs I'm trying to find right now.

I know there are people from all over the country on Reddit, so I'd like to know how things are going for everyone else. Is your job search this hard too?

I had to book a flight with almost no warning because my dad had a heart attack. And that's not exactly something you can put on the calendar 10 business days in advance.

I called my manager as soon as I could, told them what was happening, and submitted an emergency PTO request that afternoon. No one responded. I followed up 4 times. And when I got back to the office, HR put a "quick check-in" on my calendar.

They told me the absence was "not approved" because I hadn't given enough notice, and said it would be mentioned in my next review. I asked them, completely seriously: "Should I tell my dad to schedule his heart attack for a later date next time?"

They did not laugh at all.

This place loves saying "family first" in every meeting, but the moment a real emergency happens, everything turns into forms and policy language. I've already started updating my resume. That's it, I'm done.