It’s Not Fair ….

I’ve just returned from a wonderful week’s holiday on the beautiful Isle of Mull in Scotland.  It’s a place which holds special memories for me as I grew up in Glengorm on the island’s remote northern coast.  In fact we stayed in the same house that I lived in as a child – it’s now a holiday let.  We travelled there with two of my grandchildren, five year old Kyle and Charlie who’s nearly three.      Both children loved their short taste of island life.  Charlie is a huge fan of ‘Balamory’, the children’s TV programme, some of which was filmed in Tobermory - the island’s main town.  He thoroughly enjoyed a tour of the town looking out for the places where his favourite characters might just be lurking…

The highlight of Kyle’s holiday came one evening.  Just behind the cottage is a hill and from its summit there’s a magnificent view across the sea towards the distant islands of Rhum, Eigg and Canna.  It’s not big, probably about 20 metres high, but very rocky and there’s no discernible path to the top.  He wanted to climb it, not for the view, but because it looked difficult.  I’d told him how I used to climb up there as a child and he was unable to resist the challenge. 

There was a problem though.  Charlie was too small to take part in this adventure, his little legs just wouldn’t cope with the climb and I didn’t fancy the idea of carrying him.  So, to Charlie’s utter dismay, Kyle and I set off alone to tackle the ‘mountain’.  As we got ready, Charlie, who was being left behind with his grandfather, was distraught.  His sobs and cries of ‘it’s not fair, me go too’ echoed in our ears as we left the house. 

We made it to the top just in time to see a glorious sunset.  Clambering up the rocks, looking for suitable hand and foot-holes was a revelation to Kyle, who lives in a large town near London and had never experienced such an activity before.  He was very proud of his achievement and insisted on being photographed so that he could show off to everyone back home.  By the time we got back to the cottage, it was nearly dark.  Charlie was curled up on the sofa, fast asleep, but still clutching the toy he’d been given as ‘compensation’ for not being able to go with us. 

‘It’s not fair..’.  How many times do we, as HR professionals hear that plea?  Whether it’s someone who didn’t get that promotion or pay rise or holiday request.  Whether a disparity in benefits, working hours or terms and conditions, employees invariably complain to us about whatever it may be and expect us to put things right. 

Often we do but sometimes we simply can’t.  There are many situations where, much as we may want to change things, circumstances outwith our control mean that we have to accept that we can’t solve a problem to everyone’s satisfaction.  Luckily we don’t often have to deal with a toddler’s tantrum, although sometimes it feels that way …. 

To paraphrase the words of Niebuhr - ‘Grant me serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can and wisdom to know the difference’.

Sheena McLullich

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