Today I dropped Julia off for her Sunday shift for the penultimate time. Next week will mark the end of an era. And not before time.
She started at the centre about eight years ago as one of the team that was recruited to open it after a multi-million pound refurbishment. Her hours were Thursday nights, most of Saturday and a long Sunday shift – 6am until 4.30 pm. She was paid extra for Saturday and Sunday and this allowed us to feed and clothe the children whilst running the project on the farm without taking wages. Ten and a half hours of double time on Sunday was very welcome.
The kids are pretty much self-financing now (cue sound of ironic laughter) and the project ended a couple of years ago. (Incidentally, though they ejected us in favour of tenants who were able to pay more, the tenants left after a few months, having gone bankrupt, and the building has been untenanted and unused for the last few years.)
At the centre, things changed and the receptionists ended up doing the work of the admin workers, who were made redundant. They are paid less than the centre attendents, despite having a wider range of skills and being subject to abuse from the public. (This is the short version of what has gone wrong).
Finally, the council announced that they would no longer pay extra for Saturday and Sunday. They agreed to continue the pay for three years, though even this has been subject to some sharp practice.
At that point we looked at our lives and decided she should give notice. I’ve been keener on that than she has, because she worries about how we will live. I’m not. All I really need for happiness is Julia and a library ticket. I just re-read that last sentence, perhaps “lottery ticket” would fit better…
And fish and chips.
Something will turn up. That is known as the Micawber Principle.
Just over a month ago, she gave notice. Two weeks ago she was abused by a member of the public. This happens nearly every week, because the pricing structure is unclear, management refuses to clamp down on customer bahaviour, and because many people have no manners. It is the second time this particular customer has given trouble in two months. Normally she tries to shrug it off but this particular incident was witnessed by a new manager who has more backbone than the others. He wrote a report, made Julia write a report and, when the local Police liaison officer visited, discussed the matter with her. The result is that the man has been warned about his future behaviour and his membership has been temporarily suspended.
About time, I say. The really telling point about his behaviour, I think, is that all the time he was abusing Julia he was also abusing his wife and talking on his mobile phone.
And, having worked in my customary criticism of mobile phones, I will now finish.
If anyone is looking for a job that pays a few pence above minimum wage, allows you to start at 6am on a Sunday, features an ever-changing array of prices, has a faulty till system and offers you the chance of being threatened and abused by the public on a regular basis please get in touch. I know where there is one going…
I seem to have been stuck with two extra pictures – pesky new editor.
I can add nothing new to the above comments. A very, very touching post, especially the bit about the library and Julia. Best, best to her and to you!
Thanks. If the worst comes to the worst I will just stop eating on alternate days – I need to lose some weight anyway. 🙂
I bet something else will soon turn up for Julia.
There’s always plenty turning up – people just don’t want to pay her. 🙁
W-h-a-t?! Stay firm, Julia!
I commiserate with Julia on worrying about continued gainful employment, but having spent 25+ years in retail myself – she’s well out of it! She shouldn’t have to put up with that type of abuse, which sadly now defines the customer service industry these days. Onwards and upwards to better things!
Thank you – I’m sure we will survive. 🙂
I find the Micawber Principle usually works. I am sure neither of you will miss that job and I hope that coping without the money will be do-able.
Ah, you old romantic!
If this was a Victorian melodrama I would sell my hair to finance Julia’s career move, but there is a major flaw with the plan in my case.
😀
Let me know if you crack the secret of buying winning lottery tickets. I hope that something good turns up soon as we need to have regular scone reports and scones cost money.
I’m looking at a number of economies that will allow the continuing purchase of scones.
I believe that interesting, hard working people will always find a way. I’m proud of you both for taking a chance and shooting for happier times.
“All I really need for happiness is Julia and a library ticket. ” Just lovely.
Stop it, you’re making me blush…
Good post. Much of what you write about is sadly all too common these days.
It seems to be. Fortunately WP is full of nice people.
What a dreadful situation for her to have had to put up with! I’m glad she got some support with that jerk, and some support from you to chuck it and move on. I hope it works well for you both. It goes without saying that I wish the best for the fish and chips as well. Tip on retirement planning: only buy the winning lottery tickets. The others are a waste of money.
Yes, I’ve noticed that with Lottery tickets. 🙂
It took me quite a while to refine that winning formula.
It was worth it – it’s a fine strategy.
That was a very touching note about your only need was for Julia and a library ticket. I am sorry to hear she was being abused at work. That should not happen.
I learned something new here today – Micawber Principle. 🙂
🙂 No, it will be good to see her relaxing.
I was touched by your need only for Julia and a library ticket. I’m sure financially you will get by. When I dropped from full time to three days a week, it did me good in more ways than one 😊 and in Julia’s case, just to be away from customer abuse must surely be a good thing!
Yes, it should be a lot more relaxed after next week.
A new era beckons
Yes, there’s bound to be something round the corner.