Well, after being reassured that I would not lose any hours at work, due to it becoming increasingly slower with less takings as the months go on, my boss came into work yesterday (he usually does not work on Mondays) and handed a piece of paper around. It first went to co worker J, then V, then me.

When he started handing it around, I was thinking 'oh, I won't have lost any'. But I had a sinking feeling in my stomach. By the time I got the piece of paper, my mind was screaming 'HOW MUCH HAVE I LOST!?'.

It took me about five minutes to read the paper, and my boss was watching me read it. So at first I had to concentrate on having an unemotional face. And then I couldn't read the numbers on the page. And I stupidly scanned it, and saw my name twice, scared myself and decided to read it from the top.
It had the average daily takings, compared to last years. It confirmed that coworker T had been taking out cash from the till for our boss (I already knew that, but two other coworkers have a problem with it) but also confirmed that it had been happening for a year, so it did not make any difference to the daily takings.
Then it had the weekly wages totals, which I scanned but didn't read.

Finally it got down to the cutting of hours.
The baker has already lost one day a week.
Coworker J has already lost one day a week.
Plus then, coworkers J, T, V and myself, all lose one shift a week on a rotating basis. So, it means I lose one shift a month.
The apprentices cannot lose any hours as they are full-time.
Then it went on to say, the retail workers (J, V & T) will have their absent shifts covered by Moi.

I can be thankful, as I believe we will be alright. While it relieves some pressure on my boss, it is really only a small amount for me personally to handle. Any more, and I would have been stressed about it. It works out to be around $160 a month that I lose, if worked out on an 8 hour shift. I think with some considerable effort, I might even be able to adjust things so that we save money on other things to make up the difference.

I called DF when I was driving home, and then we talked a little about it when he finally arrived home. He asked what I would do on my day off, and then suggested gardening. I am pleased he has a frugal response to the situation.

To tell you the truth, I always look forward to public holidays because I always have them off. So one day a month, I know I will look forward to. While I would most definately rather be working, it is something that I can deal with.

We recieved a compost bin for a housewarming present from a group of friends, so I know a few hours each month will be taken up with vege patch construction/upkeep. Once we start harvesting some vegetables, this will most definately offset the loss each month!

The cut has also made me more motivated to do surveys again. I have been leaving them in my inbox til they expire, as I can't be bothered. Now I have a reason to do them again. It will be similar to a $20 challenge to me now. Except it will be a $160 challenge, monthly.

So. Sorry for the rambling. I am just trying to get my thoughts in order. I knew that work was not going so well, but I truly believed my hours would be ok. Alas, I was wrong. So keep your fingers crossed for me that it picks up, or atleast does not get any worse!