Today at work, I had a very clear demonstration of how, for me, the reason I'm doing something matters.
I was scheduled off work at 3:00, which is standard for the shift I was on. I don't actually leave work at 3:00...that's just when my replacement gets there, and I can do my final paperwork before going home. I can't do that paperwork until someone relieves me, though...either my replacement, or a supervisor/manager.
A few minutes after 3:00, the MOD (manager on duty) comes up to me and tells me that my replacement isn't actually coming in until 4:00, and asks if I could stay.
My immediate reaction was, internally, pretty grumpy. I cautiously said that I could stay until 4:00, but I wouldn't be happy about it.
Last Spring, and even at the end of the summer, I was asked to stay to cover an extra hour, and I almost universally was happy to do it. So, why did I feel so pissy about the idea this time?
Because the reason I thought I was being asked to stay was to cover another scheduling SNAFU. Several times over the last few months, there hasn't actually been a server scheduled in at 3:00. Sometimes someone was scheduled at 4:00, and sometimes 5:00...but there was a gap scheduled, with no one to actually relieve me when I was supposed to be off. Sometimes, the manager would reluctantly let me go, sometimes she'd ask me to stay, sometimes she just wasn't around for me to ask if I could leave (which I HATE doing) so I ended up staying anyway.
My first thought was that, again, my replacement wasn't actually scheduled until 4:00.
Then I thought about it, and checked the schedule.
No...my relief was scheduled in at 3:00...something had happened and she was running late. That changed my outlook on staying entirely.
I went back to the MOD and checked that my new impression was right. Sure enough, the girl who was coming in was dealing with a service call at her new house and the serviceperson had been late. I was happy to volonteer to stay, knowing it was because a fellow team member...who always pulls her weight, and helps pick up the slack from others...needed my help.
Logistically, the reason for me to stay made NO difference. Emotionally, it made all the difference in the world. Next time, I'll try to ask for the reason before I give my answer in the first place.
I was scheduled off work at 3:00, which is standard for the shift I was on. I don't actually leave work at 3:00...that's just when my replacement gets there, and I can do my final paperwork before going home. I can't do that paperwork until someone relieves me, though...either my replacement, or a supervisor/manager.
A few minutes after 3:00, the MOD (manager on duty) comes up to me and tells me that my replacement isn't actually coming in until 4:00, and asks if I could stay.
My immediate reaction was, internally, pretty grumpy. I cautiously said that I could stay until 4:00, but I wouldn't be happy about it.
Last Spring, and even at the end of the summer, I was asked to stay to cover an extra hour, and I almost universally was happy to do it. So, why did I feel so pissy about the idea this time?
Because the reason I thought I was being asked to stay was to cover another scheduling SNAFU. Several times over the last few months, there hasn't actually been a server scheduled in at 3:00. Sometimes someone was scheduled at 4:00, and sometimes 5:00...but there was a gap scheduled, with no one to actually relieve me when I was supposed to be off. Sometimes, the manager would reluctantly let me go, sometimes she'd ask me to stay, sometimes she just wasn't around for me to ask if I could leave (which I HATE doing) so I ended up staying anyway.
My first thought was that, again, my replacement wasn't actually scheduled until 4:00.
Then I thought about it, and checked the schedule.
No...my relief was scheduled in at 3:00...something had happened and she was running late. That changed my outlook on staying entirely.
I went back to the MOD and checked that my new impression was right. Sure enough, the girl who was coming in was dealing with a service call at her new house and the serviceperson had been late. I was happy to volonteer to stay, knowing it was because a fellow team member...who always pulls her weight, and helps pick up the slack from others...needed my help.
Logistically, the reason for me to stay made NO difference. Emotionally, it made all the difference in the world. Next time, I'll try to ask for the reason before I give my answer in the first place.
First and foremost as some literary genius remarked "To thine own self be true." If something was scheduled, especially with the family, don't let work get in the way. You will not lay on a death bed and think "I wish I worked just one more shift." When mom was deciding whether to do her sisters vacation or start her cancer treatment I suggested the vacation for that very reason. In her last conversation to me she thanked me for telling her to go cause it was wonderful to remember right up to the end. Regardless of why that coworker was late, if the girls are counting on you, try to never disappoint them. Let them be #1 whether they believe it right now or not.
ReplyDeleteSometimes you may not be able to know the reason right away as privacy might get in the way so this might also be the time to access where you work and why.
Generally speaking do you feel your coworkers are supportive of you and each other?
Do you trust your managers to schedule fairly and and in the best interest of both the staff and public you serve?
Do you like what you do, or do it cause you feel it is all you can do? Remember Mamu's favorite line: Do what you love and you will never work a day in your life".
Thanks for blogging again. I miss your writing.
I do trust the coworker who was late, but not the manager who makes the schedule.
DeleteThe extra time wouldn't have mattered to the girls, since they would just be getting home, anyway.
I enjoy what I do, but unfortunately, I don't trust my manager right now. There have been too many problems lately for me to feel as safe and secure as I did a few months ago. I'm starting to look at the possibility of needing to find a different job.