Risky and the Dirty Thirty
So, much as I'm enjoying not having to wake up every morning, I think I need to stop wasting so much time. I've sent out a few applications, but I think the fact that I'm not willing to have a flexible schedule is hindering the process.
I don't know, it just seems like too much to ask. If a job is going to pay you a buck or two above minimum wage (my choice of jobs anyway, I'm stepping out of legal for awhile) why would they expect you to have a loosely defined job description and schedule? I've accepted jobs before where those were the stipulations, and it always ends up with a full-time schedule without benefits. Most of the places hiring in the area are chains, and one of the biggest money-savers for large-scale commerce has to do with wages and benefits. Most places schedule less than 40 hours per week, but end up calling the morning of a shift to ask the employee to come in early, or wait until shortly before the shift ends to tell them they have to stay late. It's all in the bookwork. They're getting a full-time employee without needing to pay overtime, or workman's comp (in some places) or provide any benefits. That's how stores like Toy's R Us get away with having a staff of 40 hour per week workers with only three or four full-timers on the books.
That's why I have such a problem working for someone else. The lesson has been that employers see their employees as a place to cut costs, and will use any tactic necessary to ensure they don't waste a dime. In another job I once held, the timeclock was programmed to alert supervisors if their employees were a minute late or early; employees were then forced to punch out to ensure not a moment of work time was wasted, not a moment of unnecessary overtime was wasted. However, employees were expected to punch in to work as much as seven minutes early each day, and were not compensated for the extra time. If everyone did as they were told, the business would get 35 minutes of uncompensated work from each employee per week. That's 1,820 minutes per year, per employee. That's about 30 hours per person, free.
In too many businesses, employees who question the system are told they're replaceable, but any employee who tries to leave or asks for time off is made to feel guilty or responsible for letting down "the team". It's completely frustrating to try to find a job knowing that this treatment is likely ahead, but I'm still working on it.
So please.. get off my back.
1. In two words, explain what ended your last relationship.
White trash ;-)
2. When was the last time you shaved your legs?
Umm... October?
3. What were you doing at 8am this morning?
Snoozing, though to be fair I had already driven around Dover.
4. What were you doing 15 minutes ago?
Writing up a CL ad for Wayne's truck
5. Are you any good at math?
Sure
6. Your prom night?
Was a long time ago, and awesome.
7. Do you have any famous ancesters?
Wright brothers, "The Kingfish"(Huey Long)
8. Have you ever taken out a loan to pay for school?
Yes
9. Do you know the words to the song on your myspace profile?
Of course. I sing in the car, too
10. Last thing received in the mail?
A belated Easter gift from Wayneo's dad
11. How many different beverages have you drank today?
None
12. Do you ever leave messages on people's answering machines?
Not unless I knew I'd have to leave one. I hate telephones.
13.Who was your first boy/girl friend?
Actual or imaginary?
14. Do you draw your name in the sand when you go to the beach?
Nope, sometimes I draw naughty pictures though. It makes me giggle.
15. Is there anything seriously bothering you?
My stomach is in distress, though I don't know why.
16. What is out your back door?
I don't have one right now, but if we get the place we're looking at - the woods!
17. Plans for tonight?
Probably getting a movie or going to see Pathfinder.
18. Do you like the ocean?
I love it, I just don't like to swim in it.
19. Have you ever received one of those big tins of 3 different kinds of popcorn?
Yup, they make great trashcans when you're done.
20. Have you ever been to a planetarium?
I walked through one once, I think. We were supposed to go but something was wrong with it so they closed it down.
21. Do you like or love anyone in your top 8 on myspace?
I love them all, they wouldn't be there if I didn't.
22. Something you are excited about?
Buying a home and getting my own kitchen!!
23. What is your favorite color of Jello?
None... ew.
24. Are any of your great-grandparents still alive?
Yup, Artie! Well, Arturo, and he once threatened to beat Wayne's head in with his oxygen tank.
25. Describe your keychain....
I have two - one is glittery cherries, and one is an eagle's foot holding something. I think it used to be a skull? Found it in Wayne's truck,
26. Where do you keep your change?
In the armrest in my car or in a jar.
27. When was the last time you spoke in front of a large group of people?
Not for a long time, probably high school.
28. What kind of winter coat do you have?
Um, it's faux sheepskin, off-white and full-legth. It's huge and cosy.
29. Do you sleep with the door to your room open or closed?
Closed. All doors have to be closed.
30. Do you call or text more?
Text, since I don't have a phone.
I don't know, it just seems like too much to ask. If a job is going to pay you a buck or two above minimum wage (my choice of jobs anyway, I'm stepping out of legal for awhile) why would they expect you to have a loosely defined job description and schedule? I've accepted jobs before where those were the stipulations, and it always ends up with a full-time schedule without benefits. Most of the places hiring in the area are chains, and one of the biggest money-savers for large-scale commerce has to do with wages and benefits. Most places schedule less than 40 hours per week, but end up calling the morning of a shift to ask the employee to come in early, or wait until shortly before the shift ends to tell them they have to stay late. It's all in the bookwork. They're getting a full-time employee without needing to pay overtime, or workman's comp (in some places) or provide any benefits. That's how stores like Toy's R Us get away with having a staff of 40 hour per week workers with only three or four full-timers on the books.
That's why I have such a problem working for someone else. The lesson has been that employers see their employees as a place to cut costs, and will use any tactic necessary to ensure they don't waste a dime. In another job I once held, the timeclock was programmed to alert supervisors if their employees were a minute late or early; employees were then forced to punch out to ensure not a moment of work time was wasted, not a moment of unnecessary overtime was wasted. However, employees were expected to punch in to work as much as seven minutes early each day, and were not compensated for the extra time. If everyone did as they were told, the business would get 35 minutes of uncompensated work from each employee per week. That's 1,820 minutes per year, per employee. That's about 30 hours per person, free.
In too many businesses, employees who question the system are told they're replaceable, but any employee who tries to leave or asks for time off is made to feel guilty or responsible for letting down "the team". It's completely frustrating to try to find a job knowing that this treatment is likely ahead, but I'm still working on it.
So please.. get off my back.
1. In two words, explain what ended your last relationship.
White trash ;-)
2. When was the last time you shaved your legs?
Umm... October?
3. What were you doing at 8am this morning?
Snoozing, though to be fair I had already driven around Dover.
4. What were you doing 15 minutes ago?
Writing up a CL ad for Wayne's truck
5. Are you any good at math?
Sure
6. Your prom night?
Was a long time ago, and awesome.
7. Do you have any famous ancesters?
Wright brothers, "The Kingfish"(Huey Long)
8. Have you ever taken out a loan to pay for school?
Yes
9. Do you know the words to the song on your myspace profile?
Of course. I sing in the car, too
10. Last thing received in the mail?
A belated Easter gift from Wayneo's dad
11. How many different beverages have you drank today?
None
12. Do you ever leave messages on people's answering machines?
Not unless I knew I'd have to leave one. I hate telephones.
13.Who was your first boy/girl friend?
Actual or imaginary?
14. Do you draw your name in the sand when you go to the beach?
Nope, sometimes I draw naughty pictures though. It makes me giggle.
15. Is there anything seriously bothering you?
My stomach is in distress, though I don't know why.
16. What is out your back door?
I don't have one right now, but if we get the place we're looking at - the woods!
17. Plans for tonight?
Probably getting a movie or going to see Pathfinder.
18. Do you like the ocean?
I love it, I just don't like to swim in it.
19. Have you ever received one of those big tins of 3 different kinds of popcorn?
Yup, they make great trashcans when you're done.
20. Have you ever been to a planetarium?
I walked through one once, I think. We were supposed to go but something was wrong with it so they closed it down.
21. Do you like or love anyone in your top 8 on myspace?
I love them all, they wouldn't be there if I didn't.
22. Something you are excited about?
Buying a home and getting my own kitchen!!
23. What is your favorite color of Jello?
None... ew.
24. Are any of your great-grandparents still alive?
Yup, Artie! Well, Arturo, and he once threatened to beat Wayne's head in with his oxygen tank.
25. Describe your keychain....
I have two - one is glittery cherries, and one is an eagle's foot holding something. I think it used to be a skull? Found it in Wayne's truck,
26. Where do you keep your change?
In the armrest in my car or in a jar.
27. When was the last time you spoke in front of a large group of people?
Not for a long time, probably high school.
28. What kind of winter coat do you have?
Um, it's faux sheepskin, off-white and full-legth. It's huge and cosy.
29. Do you sleep with the door to your room open or closed?
Closed. All doors have to be closed.
30. Do you call or text more?
Text, since I don't have a phone.
Labels: Rant, unemployment
posted by Popcorn Charlie at 8:38 PM
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