Inconsiderate Colleagues
The shifts I'm assigned to for work, is to cover vacation days from 5 other colleagues on my team. Since they don't have enough vacation days for 365 days in a year, this year, I have 27 weeks worth of time without shifts. So, why I do say my colleagues are inconsiderate? Because they've all taken most of their vacation days in the summer and December (Christmas month). Where summers are usually with good weather, that could be spent outdoors (had been hoping to meet new people this summer), and December is a time for gatherings with family and friends (not my own friends, but friends of my parents' whom I'm sometimes invited to join for parties).
The way it works for my workplace when requesting vacation days is they submitted their choices the year before. So, I have been put into all their vacation days for year 2023 already. Having that said, when I finally go to my first week of work this year in March, I'm going to submit non-availability forms on days that I have not been pre-scheduled to work. That way, I get to keep part of my summer open, even if it's only 2.5 weeks worth of days. If I put these forms in, it also gives me an idea how many "free" days I have to work on my business, and I don't have to worry about covering sick calls or be asked to cover a shift here and there because someone has a doctor's appointment. There's enough staff even if I don't work. One person would either just have to do overtime an hour, or just cover the work for the missing staff and not do their own (which works out okay). That way, I won't feel guilty if they ask me to work and I tell them "No". This year is better than last year, I have more free days in the summer and December, the only thing is with December, the free days are only at the beginning, not exactly near the Christmas week, just have those 3 statutory days off and that's it.
Oh well, I can't wait until I launch my business and start earning more than my current earnings, that way, I could either eventually quit my job, or only pick up certain shifts to work (maybe just the morning shifts). Need to use those free days wisely!~
@Jaeteuk It sounds like you are quite frustrated with the way that scheduling works at your current job. Maybe you could think of it another way - they are giving you a whole year to plan ahead. Others have families and must coordinate schedules too. Summer and December are the most popular times to take off/go on vacation. I'm glad you are planning to use your free days wisely! And I hope that you do not feel guilty when you say "no" to working a shift. Especially since it sounds like they'd have adequate coverage on days you aren't available.
I am not sure what type of business you are planning to launch, but I wish you all the best with your endeavors!
Since I'm not considered as a permanent staff, I don't really get to choose the days to not be working. We have a new person doing our schedules (the previous one quit to go back to school), and this new lady gave me all the shifts of this year right already. As with previous clerks that worked in her position, they're supposed to call me to give me the shifts 3 months prior. I like it this way though, being able to have all the shifts filled into my schedule, I can now hand-in those non-availability forms.
I get how all my colleagues have families of their own already, and would need the Summer and Winter months off to visit family that lives in other cities. That I don't have that kind of family/relative to hang out with, but it'd still be nice to have those times off for myself, you know what I mean? They only see me as someone to cover their vacation days, sick days, and doctor appointment days. But even with doctor appointment days, they could first work with each other, swap a shift if the time for the appointment is within their current shift, or try to schedule it near a shift end/begins, then just request to leave earlier/arrive later. They are able to send a request in for medical leave if needed. Rather than asking me to work their entire shift, but that's who they see me as. That I'm available to work all those types of shifts. I don't like covering sick calls the most, because I don't get notified until that morning, then I won't have a prepared lunch or dinner to bring for my shift. That's one of the reasons why I usually say "no". With the non-available forms filled though, they won't be able to ask me to work any of those sick days or doctor appointment days. So, it'll be all good once my Manager approves them.
I promised a few people to let them know about my business, when I've succeeded in launching it. I'll let my 7 Cups friends know when the time comes too!~
@purplelady568
@Jaeteuk Ok, I feel like I have a better picture of your work now. I also sometimes work as a fill-in person, and can get calls up to 30 minutes before shift starts. I often get day-of calls because someone (or their kid) is sick. Of course, you always have the option to say no, and they they would have to make other arrangements. It took me a few months to -not- feel guilt for saying no to an extra shift.
I know what you mean about sometimes not having time to prepare meals. I actually began preparing at least one meal for myself ahead of time, and just keeping it in the fridge to grab if I need it. (Then, if I don't need it, I'll eat it at lunch the next day.)
I am glad you can somewhat plan ahead, let them know when you are and are not available. Hopefully that helps things run more smoothly for everyone!
