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Archive for November, 2011

updates!

November 23rd, 2011 at 04:06 am

Well, Friday is my last day at my old job. Can I tell you, I have never been so excited to be leaving a place!
When I worked on Monday, my boss did not talk to me all day. Strangely I do not feel a loss. I figure he deserves all he gets if he cannot stand up to his own wife, about his own business in which she has no part in running other than the book-keeping and payroll. Sure, I am a book-keeper myself, and I do think that it gives you a wide scope of the business and you can see things that go wrong, but I do not have a say, and would never even dream of intruding on, my husband and his dads staffing choices and arrangements, especially in a business where there is some level of skill involved in producing a product.

Anyway. Their loss, is all I can say. I am looking forward to hearing about their discovery of all the little things I do every time I work. I like to be organised, and I think that I do a lot which they don't notice. There are things that I do that other staff do no know how to, or just do not do because they are lazy. They have not asked me to tell anyone how to do anything, so I figure, why worry? They will find out soon enough Big Grin

I start my new job for real next Tuesday (I have done three days of training so far).
My first day is 9am-6pm. I think it will take me a while to get used to a full working day, as my shifts at my old work gradually reduced from 8 hours a day, then to 7.5, then 7, now 6.5 hours...

While I was doing my last bit of training yesterday, I mentioned to one of the area managers (who was initially going to hire me and then passed me on to another manager, who then gave me a permanent contract). I mentioned how I had gotten fired for not being able to work on Fridays anymore, and immediately the woman got excited and said she would definately be able to give me more work in her department. So now I have one day a fortnight in another area as well. That was easy!

This whole experience has soured my future working opportunities for small, family businesses. Just comparing the way I have been treated so far with my old work and the new work, they are outrageously different. You would think a huge company with stores in nearly every town would be inflexible and expect you to do what they want - but it's the complete opposite. When I first started at my old job, I was told right from the start if I could not fit in with the days they wanted, I could not have the job. With the new company, my area manager was willing to re-do her entire roster if I couldn't get Fridays off. WTH?

On another note: after Friday I can THROW OUT my old work clothes. I have never been so excited in my life to throw out clothes before.

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My little sister has moved back in with us and is now paying rent, which helps a bit too.
On Saturday night she fell off her skateboard. A kind lady drove her home and when I looked at her knee, I knew I could not dress it. I had to take her to the hospital. We were in the emergency ward until 3.30am before we were seen by a doctor, and she ended up having to stay the night, and the next night! She had to have surgery on her knee. EW. Is now at home, laying on our daybed watching television.
I think she thought at first it would be all fine. Asked me if she could go to the beach (not to swim, obviously) with friends the day after getting home from hospital! Well! Wasn't that a different story after her pain medications wore off!

Unfortunately she had just gotten herself a job the week before and was due to start the day she got home from hospital. Her boss seems like a nice lady and just said to get better, so I am assuming that means she still has her job!

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Offspring update (yes, that is what we're calling the baby until we know the sex): felt a little nauseous this morning but so far haven't had any throwing up mornings. Am only 7 weeks though, and have heard that it starts at 8 weeks typically. I am still keeping my fingers crossed and hoping I don't get it. (On another note, I have also heard that when you are having a boy you don't get as sick). I wonder...? LOL. Big Grin Only time will tell.

My area manager noticed my wedding ring and asked how long we'd been married, and if we had any kids. I was vague. 'Oh, no kids. One day in the future we would like to.'

It's a tricky situation. My probation ends in February, but by then I will be about 20 weeks (I think). But, apparently because I'm signing an employment contract I don't think it's as easy to get fired as if I was casual. Also the woman I'm replacing is going on maternity leave - I met her yesterday and she is 35 weeks along. This is proof that I should be able to do the job then, as well.

DH and I talked and agreed its best to make out as though Offspring wasn't planned and that we only found out weeks after I got the job there - even though technically the baby WAS planned Big Grin and we knew at 2 weeks... I have a friend who did not find out she was pregnant until she was 5 months along (while it DOES sound a little farfetched, she swears it's true) so I know it can happen!

I don't want to lie, but I would like to return to my job after offspring is born, if I can, even if it means going through the recruitment process again.

Am I doing the right thing? I will probably tell my new work in mid-January.

Also, I am telling my dad this weekend. It is a little nerve-wracking because I think he'd rather I finish my degree and get a job in my field before starting a family. But then again, he was DH's age and mum was my age when they had me Big Grin So neither of them can comment!

We did tell some close friends of ours a couple weeks ago. I can't be certain but I think they want to have a second child fairly soon. That would be kind of nice. All of our friends children are around 2 years old now - will be 3 when Offspring is born.

I am *dying* to find out what my old boss says when he finds out I am pregnant (my best friend still works there - no doubt once I tell her it's safe to tell our mutual friends, she will tell people at work as well). Also wonder if they will feel bad at all that they fired me while I was pregnant. Not that it had anything to do with it, but still...

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It has been UNBEARABLY hot here lately. 35 degrees C in our house and it is only November. Typically December/January are the hottest ... I am NOT looking forward to it!

It makes it hard to study too. My brain power seems to be nonexistent, along with my concentration. The only thing I seem to be able to focus on is daytime television Frown (although, I haven't watched television in general in about a week!)

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Well, that's all my updates for now. Hope everyone else is well!

I got fired!

November 18th, 2011 at 07:40 pm

At the bakery I am only working monday and friday, but my new job needed me to work on friday, so I called the boss's wife yesterday to tell her that I could not work on Fridays after next friday. She said alright.
Then today My boss tells me that because I am only working mondays now, that does not suit them, so they have to 'let me go'. He then asked ME when I wanted to finish up! I said that the reason I got another job was because we could not live on the hours they gave me, and now that I had gotten a new job we would just be getting ahead. I said that I'd only worked there for five years and so I guess tha must not count for much! And then said that whatever legal minimum amount of notice they had to give me, then that would be my last day and to let me know.
I got a call from His wife not long after and she tried to tell me it was my fault, that she had offered me lots of extra shifts (actually was only a few lots of two extra hours, tacked onto the shifts I already did, while a lady went away) and that I had 'thrown them back at her'. And that I had told her to 'not bother about any afternoon shifts ever'. What I'd actually said was that I was able to do them where they fitted into my uni schedule but that I needed notice as I plan my assessments based on times Im able to do them.
And also she said that with permanents, the amount of notice a person gives when resigning is the same amount of notice they recieved when being fired. I said that first of all, I'm not permanent and secondly I never resigned, so I don't know what that's got to do with me. And she tried to tell me that I did not give appropriate amount of notice for not being able to work Fridays. (after I got off the phone I looked at the calender and realised that YES I did, I gave her 14 days and she was trying to tell me I didn't... I sent her a text message about it but she has not replied. probably banging her head against the wall saying 'dammit!'). She told me that the last time we 'had words' it would have been grounds for instant dismissal because of the way that I spoke to her. I don't really think that is true. I told her I didn't appreciate the way she spoke to me and that she gives off the feeling that she does not care about anyone's personal situations and how their actions affect their staff - since when is that grounds for dismissal? Well, I guess it must be.
Anyway, she told me she did not know how much notice she had to give me. Why would you fire someone and not find this stuff out? So, I'm waiting to hear back about it. I wanted to continue working there until early next year. Well, we'll see how that goes!
 
Nice to know what 5 years hard work looks like at the end of it!
I guess you can only look at it in a positive way if you want to get on with life; I am relieved they made that decision for me, so I don't have to feel bad about leaving in a couple months. I just really dislike the way they have treated me.

I sent an email telling my dad what happened (he lives two states away) and he is FUMING. He told me to make sure I call one of the fair treatment government bodies and make sure I get treated right at the end.
I'm casually employed - but I have been there for five years. I always thought casuals could just get sacked for no reason, at any time, but when my boss was trying to sack another woman (and give the hours to ME! Oh how things change...) apparently you have to give three written warnings...
We will see.
I know I am being stubborn - I don't WANT to work there, and I PLANNED to leave soon - but I feel as though the way they've treated me (& other staff) has been disgusting so I should at least make them work for it if they want me gone that bad. In the end it doesn't bother me so much - I would have left after Christmas anyway, it was only going to be an extra $200 or so of earnings. They did not find out any information before sacking me so I guess it was an impulse decision and they thought I would go without a fuss.
One of the things that sits in the back of my mind gnawing away is that I always envisioned when I left this place, I'd come back and see my boss and catch up occasionally. We have been friends for about 6-7 years - 4 of which I worked for him. The last year and a bit their true colours have shown and they're both obsessed with money - it has been disappointing. Now if I ever saw them in the street I'd not even wave, I'd keep on walking.

some exciting news

November 16th, 2011 at 02:57 am

I have been waiting for what seems like ages to post about this, and technically things are still in the early stage so I wouldn't be surprised if things still don't work out.

I'm pregnant! Six and a bit weeks.
We are excited, but still wary seeing as a lot of close friends had miscarriages in a very small space of time, a couple years ago. We know that it is fairly common and so we don't want to get our hopes up (but, it's hard not to!).

We have only told DH's mum so far, and a couple of very close friends. We are waiting until Christmas time/12 weeks before we tell everyone else.

Our due date is 9th July next year.

So far I've only felt a mild amount of nausea a couple of times. I've been getting tired a lot more. I know the best of the morning sickness is just about to start Frown (if it does - here's hoping it's not too bad).

Our first ultrasound is a week before christmas, so that will be a nice early christmas present for us!

more work! uni thoughts. 70's dressups.

November 15th, 2011 at 06:28 am

I had my general induction on Saturday (it was so boring I could've fallen asleep!). I got paid to do it too, which I wasn't sure I would! Fantastic! $22.70 an hour to sit and listen about their values and goals is ok by me!

Yesterday I got a call from the bakery sections manager. I have apparently been 'given' to her by the deli manager and have been offered a permanent part-time position, 112 hours a month, and I also get trained on checkouts and deli. I have four more training and induction sessions before I actually start doing any shifts, my first is on Thursday.

Initially I jumped excitedly around the house singing about quitting my (current) job. Until I realised it would probably be beneficial to keep working that job as long as it fits in with my new job, for as long as possible or atleast until Christmas is over and DH gets more work (He can't work most of december and half of January as most trade suppliers are closed).

This means I will be working 48 hours a week plus studying two subjects (each require 10-12 hours a week study). (I have 13 hours at my current job, 7 hours at my book-keeping job and will now have 28 a week at my new job!)

I think I can do it. I will give it a try anyway. I have until December 3rd to drop a subject without financial or academic penalty.

If I did drop a subject - that would be the hard choice. I know I SHOULD do the accounting subject - but it's so hot now that summer has started and I find it difficult to concentrate. Also, I realised my marketing textbook is the 2009/2010 edition, which is apparently being used this year too, but I'm not sure I can stretch it to next year and I don't want to have to buy another one. (I bought this one second hand for only $50 - new its over $85. Small savings I know, but every bit counts!)

The marketing one is FUN, so I doubt I will have a problem concentrating on it. I just feel as though I SHOULD be doing the accounting one. Oh well, there is always next semester.

I have a 70's party to go to and while DH is all excited about dressing up (he's planning on short, bright gym gear, head bands and maybe some roller skate haha) I'm not overly enthused. I find dress up parties a PITA most of the time. I've just bought an orange patterned kaftan top and will wear it with some brown jeans and cork wedges I bought on sale for $5. Is that 70's enough? I wouldn't know... I wasn't born then!
It seems there's a lot of 80's stuff in the stores but also there's starting to be a bit more 70's styles, must be the 'new' thing. Gosh I remember being a teenager and that stuff mattered... now, if it doesn't make me look fat and its comfortable and reasonably priced, you've just made a sale to me. Big Grin

you have GOT to be kidding me!

November 9th, 2011 at 01:21 am

So just after I hear back about getting the new job, wouldn't you know it, a coworker at my current job resigns!

I get a call from the boss's wife telling me this, and then offers me four days work instead of the two I have now. I used to do four days - but they are 6.5 hour days, 26 hours a week in total. With the 'new' schedule I would probably be looking at around 24 hours a week. LOL!

Initially, I was not going to tell her I had just been given a new job. Why? It's none of her business. Especially since I was hoping to leave anyway.

So she asks me if this was my plan. I tell her that the new work knows that I have work on Mondays and Fridays. (Well, they do...)

Of course I get off the phone and now feel like I did the wrong thing. Should I have taken it? I don't know. I am incredibly unhappy working there, so I don't think I did the wrong thing.

I have the opportunity to work ~38 hours a week at the new job, and they also give work to people who are NOT 18 years or younger on public holidays ($60 an hour - something I have not experienced due to my current works' cheapness). And, there are a lot of those coming up.

But then I worry with plans of having a baby in the future, what would the new work be like? Are they going to dismiss me when they find out? It is casually based employment, so they are within their rights to sack people for no good reason. My current work (the one I hate) would probably let me work there until I no longer was physically able to.

I guess I just have to take the chance. The new work is also 15 minutes drive away, versus current work 30 minutes. I'll be halving my driving time anyway. I also get a 5% discount on groceries Big Grin

I spoke to DH after the call. He asked me if I told the boss's wife that the reason I found more work was because they cut my hours and we were struggling. DAMMIT. Why did I not think to say that? It would have been the perfect opportunity to put her through a guilt trip - god knows she deserves it after all the ones she's put me through! Don't you hate it when you realise there were so many more things you could have said? Dang.

I GOT THE JOB

November 7th, 2011 at 06:35 am

I know I can't get too excited because it *is* just a supermarket deli job... BUT IT'S A JOB!

I recieved an email from Coles saying I wasn't succesful, which made me moody and depressed for an hour before I decided to apply for yet MORE jobs. After sending off application # 4, I got a call from the deli manager at Coles (yes - who just sent me an email an hour before saying I didn't get it - lol, WHAT?!). Anyway, she asked me if I would still like the position and if so, please attend an induction on Saturday from 9-2. HOW EXCITING. It is not exactly a job to aspire to have, I know, but for reasons which I will save for another post, it is the type of job that suits me right now. Plus I am excited at the opportunity to get my foot in the door of a national company because it will no doubt help me limp along while I keep doing my degree. Big Grin

I have a job interview tomorrow!!!

November 1st, 2011 at 11:39 am

It is just a casual supermarket deli-counter customer service job interview... BUT it's an interview!

I know it's not exactly stepping up from my current job, but I need the money, and it's actually an appealing thought to be able to show up, do the work and go home without having to listen to the owner whinge about how he doesn't have any money, while also whinging about how he never gets to take his boat out on the water.

I will see how it goes. If it turns out I get a decent amount of hours I'll be quitting my current job so fast they won't know what happened. No use staying on in a job that makes me depressed every time I walk in the door, if I'm working another that is pretty much the same kind of work but no ill feelings. I also kind of like the idea that once I get employment at one supermarket, it looks better on your resume when applying at others. (While I'm studying I either want a job that reflects my current mode of study - or a no-thinking type of job.)

I also had my first exam today, last one is next wednesday. End of my first year at university! Time flies. I start the summer semester five days after my last exam, heh heh. No rest..!