21 days are left in 2009. Yesterday, I found out that I have the 24th through to the 27th off work, which is generally a mission in itself if you work in retail, like I do. Generally, where I work, the part timers have to work Boxing Day and don’t have a say in the matter. This will mean that it’s the first Christmas with my family since 2004 (I think – either 2004 or 2005) and I’m definitely looking forward to it.
For the past couple of weeks, I have been in the store’s Christmas Shop which I have not liked and several people at work are aware that I don’t like it. I consider myself to be non-religious and being in that particular department makes me feel somewhat uncomfortable. For several months beforehand, I was in another department and I’ve definitely gained product knowledge, in that I can talk to customers about certain things and how to use them (like soaking all of your linens overnight in cold water then washing them as normal). In the Christmas Shop, once you have completed the dusting, there is nothing to do. Add to that the fact that last weekend, I was the only staff member in there and I will be the only staff member in there this weekend too. The week of Christmas has me in there from 9am-9pm on the 21st, 10am-9pm on the 22nd and 10am-5.30pm on the 23rd. I am not looking forward to that at all.
Several people at work have told me that I really should be looking for another job (a better paying one at that too!). It’s something that I definitely plan on doing in 2010. I’m beyond tired of having my hours and wages not being consistant. I need a regular income. I need to know that I can afford to buy food each week. The lowest pay I’ve had this year was just under $75 – out of that, I had to pay my board and credit card bills and also my car’s registration which happened to be due that week. I couldn’t afford to pay for the registration (not even three months which is the minimum) so I asked my mother if she would pay for it for me. Sometimes, I really do wonder about a certain person at work and what they’re thinking. So that’s my mission in 2010 – get a decent job, one that pays a little better than my current one ($13 an hour – 50 cents above minimum wage), and one that will provide me with regular hours and wages. I wouldn’t be telling people to apply for a job where I am. I’m telling them that now actually!
