My attitude at work lately, plus Christmas "bonus"

[Sherlock77]

I've worked for nine years in the recycling industry, on a sort line... That whole time I've had to deal with the potential of a 10 hour work day (8 hours regular, 2 hours at overtime wage), whenever I go to work I never know if it will be an 8 hour day, 9 hours, or 10 hours

In particular that 10 hour shift between work commute chews up half of my 24 hour day and I get home at 6:15 PM, and I've always enjoyed going out to various functions in the evening, arts and culture, I'm a member of two clubs, three meetings a month, they all start at 7 PM, meaning I get home and have barely any time to get ready to go out... I know most of my co-workers simply go home and stay home, I just have this urge, enjoyment, of getting out to enjoy the arts and culture scene... Lately it just seems more stressful to have that quick turn around before going and I do get grumpy over it, not that it's right to be that way... I need to learn how to deal with my 10 hour work days far better and not be so negative about it, but I struggle with being neutral about let alone positive... When some co-workers crow about it, love the long days, money, money, money, not that anyone working there is getting rich, I just want a better work life balance that allows me more time for going out at night... I could just switch jobs but the economy in Alberta is crappy right now, you'll know if you watch the news, easier said than done just to quit and get another job

And that Christmas "bonus" I mentioned?

Every year we get slammed by post Christmas recycling, two or three weeks of mega hours, Saturday shifts, etc... Lots of money coming in but I hate it because my work becomes my life, ugh...

And this year? This week I did take three days off start of the week to hopefully rest up for the big rush, came back to work Thursday to discover that they also scheduled this Saturday (tomorrow) full eight hour shift, worked an eight hour day today, as always working Christmas Eve, this entire weekend I get one day off! On Sunday, giving me only a few hours of shopping (Sunday afternoon) to get anything done, I'm not happy!

Then the day after Christmas lots of work, I've almost gotten used to it over nine years but still dislike it... Watching everyone around me relaxing the whole week, while I'm working too much... All my fellow photographers showing off their photography adventures of the week, and I feel like the only person who is actually working, not even picking up my camera for days on end...

 

[tlc]

I know what you mean. Often this time of year we get slammed with customers trying to get orders on this year's books. Now I really enjoy what I do, but when the boss says "we need to go to 10's" I can feel my morale immediately drop. The money is good and at this point in my life it really helps me get by, but the work life balance is more important to me and I'd rather work 40 hours and go home at 5 every day and have a standard paycheck. There are guys there who love working all they can for the money, sometimes giving themselves 14 hour days and 7 day weeks, but I'm not one of them.

It's been easier since I got into this house, because I'm 3 times closer and I now have freedom, and a garage and basement. Like you I live up north when the weather is crappy often and the days are short, and makes it more stressful when I need to find time off + good weather + daylight to get needed things done outside. But still it makes it tough when I lose that window to get things done when businesses are still open.

I've been there 20 years and I have to say it's been getting better lately. They've been giving bonuses here and there, and raises to help get us in line with other people who do this line of work. I just got an actual Christmas bonus today, which is going directly to medical bills, but it is still a big help.

 

[Sherlock77]

@tlc

We also periodically get 10 hour work days throughout the year, often enough on a night when I want to go out, or have to go out somewhere in the evening... And then it's like a sprint to even get out of the house... And I don't like doing that, I feel stressed... I like to ease into my evenings

 

[Mr Allen]

Rather you than me, about 10 years ago I did 3 days on the sort line at a recycling place and hated it, and don't even get me started on what they jokingly called the "pay packet", £2 a day for that? What the hell?!