auto rant

CD39 and I know that Aunt Flo must be on her way because I can see the signs. More tired than usual, restless, fraying temper, chocolate craving (no, wait, that's every day). Anyway, the biggest clue was getting into a real strop last night. Over my payslip.

Yes it arrived 5 days late because once again it went to my namesake in a different department (I never get hers though, which I think is weird) - but that wasn't why.

Yes, I had less in it this month as my union membership fees went up - but that wasn't why.

It was because of the deduction for tax. Now I am usually as resigned as the next person watching a goodly portion of my salary disappear but I know that it goes to pay for infrastructure and social benefits for those in need (and to fund wars and apparently politicians' second homes but let's not get into that right now). But this month, with Aunt Flo late as usual, BFNs because we never stood a chance this time, pregnant friends / new babies all over the shop and the upcoming IVF, I got hyper-resentful.

What about MY maternity leave? If I never get pregnant and stay that way for the normal amount of time? I've been paying for other people's maternity leave since I was 18 so where's my cut? It's not my choice not to have children, why should I be expected to pay for other women and not get anything in return? (Where is Significant Other's possibly unclaimed paternity leave, come to that?)

So, in the spirit of fairness, if I can't have children I would like my salaried leave, please. I think I have not only paid for it, but earned it too.