My first week of work...
Was very very tiring. I'm not used to getting up that early anymore and I never liked it even when I was used to it. Plus the subways are crazy with about a million people trying to make it to work all at the same time. Literally, you have to shove yourself onto the train or else you won't get on. I wish I could just drive to work (public transportation takes me 40 minutes) but it's just too damn expensive to park.
I have a new dilemma that I am dealing with though and I think that other people who work for nonprofits can understand. There is this game that they play. You know that they can't afford a lot so you don't expect a lot and then you feel like shit for wanting more because you know they can't afford it but you are supposed to love your job so much and love the cause that you sacrifice all your time and shitty wage and are just supposed to smile about it. This week is the national conference and I"m expected to be at the conference by 7am and not retire to my room until about 10 pm. Everyday. Until Sunday when I get to drive home and then go to work the following Monday. Now, when I took this job I knew I was getting a pay cut. They knew I was getting a paycut and so I was excited to talk to my ED about the fact that I qualify for overtime. After talking with my coworkers I realized that they never give you over time and they never give you a day off even after working a 7-day week.
I'll be frank. (Pardon the pun). I know I'm supposed to be doing this for the cause and be feeling really good about myself but right now I"m angry. They don't pay me enough to be working my ass off for 13 days in a row with no breaks and standing all day on a bum foot. I know that over a million other people in the world have it worse of than this and I"m probably sounding like a spoiled brat. But I have been spoiled at my last few jobs either with exceptional salary or with time off for your hard work. I've been lucky to get that.
Now, my ED said that I'm supposed to get over time. How do I ensure this? Do I straight up ask her? Do I wait to get my paycheck and then looked confused and ask for clarity afterwards? I'm not very good at sticking up for myself when it comes to my work environment so I'm at a loss. And whatever you tell me to do, I probably won't want to do and have no one but myself to blame if I get short changed in the end.
But...that being said...I'm really angry that places exist that don't take care of their employees. I was always taught that the most important tool a worker brings to their job is themselves. And how can anyone function properly without rest? without a break? without proper acknowlegement of their hard work? If I couldn't afford to pay you for your extra hours I would sure as hell make sure you had a free day.
Anyways...that's just my most recent rant. My apologies, but I'm just really frustrated and not looking forward to the week when actually I should be really excited about the opportunity to go to Niagara Falls and meet all of these amazing people.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it. :)
I have a new dilemma that I am dealing with though and I think that other people who work for nonprofits can understand. There is this game that they play. You know that they can't afford a lot so you don't expect a lot and then you feel like shit for wanting more because you know they can't afford it but you are supposed to love your job so much and love the cause that you sacrifice all your time and shitty wage and are just supposed to smile about it. This week is the national conference and I"m expected to be at the conference by 7am and not retire to my room until about 10 pm. Everyday. Until Sunday when I get to drive home and then go to work the following Monday. Now, when I took this job I knew I was getting a pay cut. They knew I was getting a paycut and so I was excited to talk to my ED about the fact that I qualify for overtime. After talking with my coworkers I realized that they never give you over time and they never give you a day off even after working a 7-day week.
I'll be frank. (Pardon the pun). I know I'm supposed to be doing this for the cause and be feeling really good about myself but right now I"m angry. They don't pay me enough to be working my ass off for 13 days in a row with no breaks and standing all day on a bum foot. I know that over a million other people in the world have it worse of than this and I"m probably sounding like a spoiled brat. But I have been spoiled at my last few jobs either with exceptional salary or with time off for your hard work. I've been lucky to get that.
Now, my ED said that I'm supposed to get over time. How do I ensure this? Do I straight up ask her? Do I wait to get my paycheck and then looked confused and ask for clarity afterwards? I'm not very good at sticking up for myself when it comes to my work environment so I'm at a loss. And whatever you tell me to do, I probably won't want to do and have no one but myself to blame if I get short changed in the end.
But...that being said...I'm really angry that places exist that don't take care of their employees. I was always taught that the most important tool a worker brings to their job is themselves. And how can anyone function properly without rest? without a break? without proper acknowlegement of their hard work? If I couldn't afford to pay you for your extra hours I would sure as hell make sure you had a free day.
Anyways...that's just my most recent rant. My apologies, but I'm just really frustrated and not looking forward to the week when actually I should be really excited about the opportunity to go to Niagara Falls and meet all of these amazing people.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it. :)