Why DO I care?

A co-worker who's escaping the office in the same buyout I am taking is determined to leave without a shred of sick time left to him.

After all, we don't get to cash it out, and even if they think we're faking, what are the bosses going to do about it?

My co-worker summed up his argument: "Who are you trying to impress?"

I don't know. I mean, not only am I leaving the company, I've been so soured by my experience here, that I'm completely leaving the business.

While the business I'm currently in is rather incestuous (you'll generally find yourself working with the same people over and over, or working with people who've worked with people you knew or went to school with), I'm doubting there will be any crossover with my new job.

And I can't imagine wanting to work for most of the people I currently work for.

So why DO I care what these people think?

Why shouldn't I slack off a little? My previous reward for hard work has been more mind-numbing work that my boss takes credit for. Any projects I care about get devalued to the point where another boss taunts me for spending time on them.

Maybe I should blame my Midwestern work ethic.

Even when I'm leaving a list of stuff for my husband to do during the day, I promise, "I'll do my share when I get home," not content to realize that, well, my share of work for the couple involves earning money to pay the rent.

Maybe I could blame my parents.

In 40 years of teaching, my mom hardly ever took days off, even when she broke a leg. My dad returned to work two months after a life-threatening heart attack.

Damn my work ethic.