What would make you want to change jobs.

@GardenGerty (157050)
United States
April 20, 2013 3:04pm CST
I have a pretty independent job, and I am good at it. It is not even hard, and I can take my computer or hand work to work on. I am, however, ready to look for a new job. They were short staffed when I hired on eleven months ago, and it is getting worse. I had to pick up an extra shift today and that is the second time this week. I am exhausted because my shift runs until midnight. I seldom get to bed before one and the extra shift I pulled today started at 8 a.m. I will have fifty five or more hours for this week. I am not a full time employee, and do not get benefits, and I just could not say "no" when I was asked yesterday. My body clock works better on an early shift and I have decided to look for another job that would be days. Wish me luck. I certainly will not quit until I have something new.
10 people like this
35 responses
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
21 Apr 13
For me, it would have to be a couple of things. Not enough hours and not enough pay. That's what happened with a previous job I had. With a combination like that there was just no way to make ends meet. So I eventually quit that job...but I made sure to land another before quitting that one. If only that one would have worked out...*sigh* Anyway, I hope you're able to find a job you're happy with. Good luck!
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157050)
• United States
25 Apr 13
My preference would be to stay home and earn, but I have not found a way to earn enough to pay the bills or fix up the house. I can get enough hours to make ends meet and the work is not really demanding, unless my grumpy old man gets grumpy and wants to resist doing what he needs to do. Good luck on your job hunt.
1 person likes this
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
25 Apr 13
Thank you GG!
• China
21 Apr 13
I am kind of worry about your health.You worked a sixteen-hour shift yesterday and have worked average eleven-hour day this week.You would be burned out if you keep doing so.I don't know if the 'benefits 'refers to housing benefit,medical benefits and the like.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157050)
• United States
25 Apr 13
Medical benefits is what I am needing to have. I own a house and the town is small, so it does not take long to get to work. I do not work physically hard, but I do dislike being away from my own house and family so much. I can take my computer or other things to do when the housework there is done and the clients have taken their medications and have gone to bed. My job is very much the same as being a housewife, except in someone else's house.
• China
25 Apr 13
It seems that the beauty of your work is that you can breeze through it and do what you want to do after you have done all you should.If only you got medical benefits.Is the coming reform of health care in your favour?
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
21 Apr 13
I hope you find a job with the hours and pay rate that you need! When I was young I would change jobs at the drop of a hat--there were no benefits then except if you worked for a big corporation so there was really nothing to keep anyone in a job unless they really liked it. In my mid 20s I worked for answering services and stayed with that industry till I married--then my husband started one and I worked there for a year or two till the advent of the cell phone began to destroy that particular service. I know how working shift unfriendly to your inner clock can exhaust you. I sure hope you find the right one.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157050)
• United States
25 Apr 13
I have worked a few jobs that disappeared with the economy, and I know how that is. There are perks here that I do hate to give up, though.
@katsmeow1213 (28719)
• United States
20 Apr 13
Good luck finding something else! I hope you can find something you like as much as this without the stress of the extra hours all the time!
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157050)
• United States
20 Apr 13
Unless I can figure out how to bring home more than seven hundred dollars a month (minimum to meet budget with hubby's income) I will still be here. I easily make that in two weeks.Of course surprise expenses eat the surplus. Kat, and PQ I appreciate the good thoughts. I am to the point this week that I do not even know what day it is. I do not do lack of sleep very well any more.
• United States
20 Apr 13
I hope she find something also. Good jobs are so hard to find.
1 person likes this
• United States
21 Apr 13
Of course, they are short staffed. The company has created a situation where people are likely to burn out. I'm certain that they keep many if not most of their employees as part-time. I hope that you find another job shortly. The fact that you are currently employed will make you more attractive to prospective employers.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157050)
• United States
25 Apr 13
Many of the employees here do not have the time available to work full time as they are college students or are working a second job. The best employees we get are the ones who are active at other things as well as then they know how to be responsible and show up. Our county is big in this industry with three or four agencies and people moving in to receive services all of the time. They do tend to over use their best help. I have been middle management and burned out here, and stayed away a long time. I had some superstars that made my job better than it could have been but it is still a high burn out type of position.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
21 Apr 13
That is a lot of hours to do for a part time job with no benefits. I do hope that you can get another job as the number of hours that you do is more than full time and please try to get one that has benefits
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157050)
• United States
25 Apr 13
I am looking, and if they were to get more help in the program it would make the job much better. I think after I work the full time shifts for ninety days I can get benefits. I have heard the health insurance is pretty great.
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
21 Apr 13
Good luck on finding new job!
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157050)
• United States
25 Apr 13
Thanks, Lakota, I either need to find a new one or make this one behave.
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
25 Apr 13
lol good luck on making it behave
• United States
21 Apr 13
I have been searching for something a bit steadier since July. I cuurently work as a merchandiser, and while they are growing, they've "over hired" and they aren't getting the jobs. I recently worked a small job for an hour-not bad, considering it was a 2-minute drive from home. I figured that and the hour they owed me would get me a check for about $12....but no! They took a lump sun of $15 just for PA state taxes-and the check was for less than $2.00!!! I earn that myLotting a few days! And I hadn't worked since last August/September! I'm not quitting though until I find another job...and at this rate, I feel like I'll never find anything! Good luck with your job search.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157050)
• United States
21 Apr 13
Sounds like you are working as an "employee" rather than contract labor. You can get other merchandising jobs through a webside called NARMS, and another called Volition. Hubby is picking up a few things here and there just in the last two months. He took his Social Security at 62 for a couple of reasons, but we need me to work as well. I am not old enough to do that for a couple of years.
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
21 Apr 13
I would not quit unless I had another job, but if I am on a harsh schedule where I am getting worn out I couldn't continue. You said you could not say "no", is that because they would fire you for turning down the extra shifts?
@GardenGerty (157050)
• United States
21 Apr 13
No, they will not fire me. When I quit before they were always trying to get me back. My immediate supervisor is younger than my daughter, has a six month old baby and is pulling a lot of the extra shifts as well. She was supposed to be pulled into a day job, but her replacement fell through. I could not say no because she was in tears on the phone when she called me. Last Wednesday I had called her with a schedule change on short notice and she did not give me any grief about it, my husband was supposed to have a medical test on a certain day and I had taken it off, then the doctor dropped us a letter saying he was changing the date. It is a procedure that he will not be able to drive after and I needed to take one of my regular days that I work off. So when she said she would make sure I was off that day, I really could not in good conscience turn her down for the Wednesday shift, as my coworker had a family emergency out of town. So that is how I have ended up with two extra shifts this week.
1 person likes this
• United States
21 Apr 13
Oh I see, wow that is tough, I hope they can find more people to hire to take the load off you and your supervisor..
@celticeagle (157593)
• Boise, Idaho
21 Apr 13
Back in the day when we had unions in companies of any size they would never think of scheduling someone short of eight hours. That gets old real fast. I was lucky at my last job. It was complex and stressful but they never scheduled you so close. And they knew what the word 'seniority' met because they kept hiring more people and my hours kept getting better. I hope you find something else you like before you get too tired to care.
@GardenGerty (157050)
• United States
21 Apr 13
Most of the people who work here only have time for a part time job because they work other jobs or they are going to college. All of my shifts now are at least nine hours. Just the wrong time of day or as you say, "close" or a fast turnaround. I am also the "lead" here, carrying most of the responsibilities in house. Unfortunately all that really gets me is gratitude.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157050)
• United States
21 Apr 13
Not a lot of things open that fit my skill set. Maybe I just do not have a skill set. I am looking though.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (157593)
• Boise, Idaho
21 Apr 13
I would sure be in the process of looking elsewhere.
1 person likes this
@Shellyann36 (11385)
• United States
24 Apr 13
I can't say that I blame you one bit. If your body is telling you that you are not getting enough sleep then you can't really risk your health by working such long hours. Companies have a hard time finding dependable people these days and it is such a shame that they can't in the economy we have now. I am sure your bosses are grateful that you helped cover the shifts. If I was in your position I would look for something else too.
@GardenGerty (157050)
• United States
25 Apr 13
If I am not mistaken you have worked with a similar population of clients as I am. It takes a committed person to provide the care they need. No one wants a "responsible" job, but rather they want a job where they will have a lot of fun. Many people would rather flip burgers.
@Shellyann36 (11385)
• United States
26 Apr 13
Yes I have and I agree with you wholeheartedly. It does take a committed and mature person to provide their care. I think that the younger crowd are missing out on some real opportunities in life because of their work ethics.
@allknowing (130088)
• India
21 Apr 13
When I was ready to take on a job, I just accepted anything that came my way but always wanted to finally work for a multinational where there would be good working conditions. I did just that. I got a job with a multinational after 3 years of my working experience. I worked here for many years having gone up the ladder till I reached the middle management position. It became a safe rut and I lost interest. I called it a day to not work any more. I stumbled upon an opportunity to design landscaped gardens - which was actually my hobby. I did that for a few years and got joy out of doing these projects till we shifted to our new home here in a semi rural town. I am now a lady of leisure Looking at your work schedule you truly need to look for something that is more relaxing.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157050)
• United States
21 Apr 13
The same number of hours, if they started at six in the morning would not bother me at all. Hubby would not be missing me as much either as he sleeps in later. I am looking, but I am at the winding down point of my life and many places will not hire me, even though they cannot legally ask my age. Hubby thinks I need to start coloring my hair if I am looking for work as it makes me look a lot younger.
@GardenGerty (157050)
• United States
25 Apr 13
Probably not going to color it. I was using Henna and Indigo on my hair. Loved the conditioning effect but it was a long process. My many shades of gray and silver are pretty and shiny.
@allknowing (130088)
• India
21 Apr 13
Most colour their hair specially when they have a young face and to match that they should have young looking hair too! So do we see a new you, soon?!
1 person likes this
@jenny1015 (13366)
• Philippines
22 Apr 13
I used to work in a call center. Mostly, I was on graveyard shift. Eventhough I have learned to love my job coz I was only to receive calls from clients and the pay was good enough. But I had to give it up coz I was afraid that losing sleep might make me sick eventually. Since I started working on that office, the most number of hours of sleep that I had was 4 hours, which is pretty much unhealthy. I just had to give it up.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157050)
• United States
25 Apr 13
You know exactly what I am talking about, but your situation was worse than mine. I hope you are doing alright now.
@jenny1015 (13366)
• Philippines
25 Apr 13
A mom's job is 24/ but at least I have some time to do my thing when kids are in school. I am doing much better now, thanks!
@Pegasus72 (1898)
20 Apr 13
Good luck with finding a new job. I find it that most jobs take advantage of part time employees but asking them to do full time hours, one they don't have to pay benefits, and most times they are making less money.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157050)
• United States
20 Apr 13
That has been the experience of several people I know. When I quit here before the chief operating officer told my husband that the company really needed me. They give lots of interesting gifts, etc, but I am finding that I want some medical coverage and when I started back to work here there were early shifts available, but they no longer exist. I will be applying to do hospital food service.
@Pegasus72 (1898)
27 Apr 13
I hope you get it, and that you are able to get benefits. A job with benefits are hard to come by.
• Philippines
24 Apr 13
My answer to your question used to be monetary benefits. But now, my answer will be if I am already going nowhere in my career there in that company or I am not anymore growing personally and career wise, I need to change companies.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157050)
• United States
25 Apr 13
I am an older person who mainly needs to work just about five more years. I would like to do it in such a way that I survive nicely. I can see your point of view and I perhaps should have been more forward thinking when I was young.
• United States
22 Apr 13
That little paragraph told me what you should say. "Take this job and shove it".
@GardenGerty (157050)
• United States
25 Apr 13
I do not want to part on bad terms, as this is a good fall back job if I am ever short. Many people work it as a second job and that is why it is so hard to get enough staff with hours to work.
@Porcospino (31367)
• Denmark
28 Apr 13
I left one of my previous jobs because of the shifts. I worked in a home for people with special needs and I often had to work from 3.p.m. to 10 p.m. or 11 p.m. and the next day I had to work from 8 a.m. I didn't work in my own town and I when I was able to catch a train back to my own town it was already late at night. I went straight to bed and slept some hours before I had to return to work. In the beginning it was okay, but after some time I felt that I wasn't able to get enough rest. I talked to woman that I knew about the situation, and she said: "What they are doing is illegal in our country. You are not allowed to let your employees work late at night and work again early in the morning. You can ask the employee to do it sometimes if it is neccesary, but you are not allowed to do it on regular basis like they do" I left that job and I found a job in home health care where I always worked from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and I was much happier that way. I hope that you will also manage to find a new job
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157050)
• United States
28 Apr 13
You are describing my job exactly, except I do not have a long commute. I was first hired for three hours in the morning, that ran closer to four hours. But someone decided that I would also work two nights a week from 3 - 11. I told them I could not do that, and they adjusted. I decided I needed more hours, plus the staffing changed in that house. Now there are no early mornings there are just 3-midnight or midnight to 8 am. I do not do overnights. On weekends there are 8-3 and 3-midnight. I am usually working forty five to sixty three hours per week. There are good things about my job, but we just do not have enough staff, especially competent staff who will help with the house chores.
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
23 Apr 13
This is very relevant, as I'm at that crossroad right now! I like my current job. I live close by, and there's a lot of freedom in my position that I'm able to bring and pick up my kids from school. But, my oldest is going to middle school this fall. There's an added expense that I'd be incurring as far as his education goes. And we've tightened our belts enough already that I would definitely have difficulties with our monthly expenses. Thus, I'm currently talking to a head hunter.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157050)
• United States
25 Apr 13
You are in a position to be still working on your career and I can see that as your children get older it is more expensive. I hope you find a job as comfortable as the one you are in, but with better pay.
@Rick1950 (1578)
• Lima, Peru
23 Apr 13
That's a good point, that you don't quit until you have a new job. Actually you have mentioned the reasons, why someone can start thinking to look for a new job. Fifty-five hours a week are too much hours, unless you get paid very well, but you need to be very strong in order to support that rythm. Have you tried to explain your situation to your boss, before you go? Anyway I expect you get a better job if you change your current one. Good luck!
@GardenGerty (157050)
• United States
25 Apr 13
I believe many people have complained about the short staffing, but the consensus is that it is going to get worse. The jobs rely on the government for funding and you know the US is in a government mess right now. I am hoping that we see some new help soon, as there is a job fair in our community tomorrow. The schedule I would like to work would be around forty to forty five hours per week.
• Israel
22 Apr 13
a lot of luck! althought some people say that it would be difficult to find a new job while you still work (it's like you won't meet a new boy/girlfriend till you're in some relationship)
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157050)
• United States
25 Apr 13
Thanks, Vonika. I find that here many employers are skeptical if you are out of work. They consider that you may be undesirable.