work...again

[JAK]

I didn't post this before, but I'm even more confused as ever about what to do about my job. I found out last Thursday (before I went home from work sick) somethings that I just don't like. I work at center A and there are about 5 other centers in this area that I could have applied at. I chose to apply at center A because I talked to the assistant director, was told I could work with the infants, the center is small (only about 45 children) and it about 10 miles from my house (it's a nice easy drive). During my interview I was told that if hired I would not be guaranteed any hours (until a "regular" position became available and then you get benefits and are guaranteed hours). If I wanted to work more hours than what my center scheduled me at I could go work at center B or C and get up to 40 hours a week, IF I WANTED TO. I told them that wasn't a problem as I only wanted a part time job. (I have been scheduled between 20-40 each week as it is anyway.) Thursday we were informed by our director that her boss had informed her that each staff member HAS to go work at center C for 2 weeks at a time and will be working 40 hours a week. Also, if we aren't scheduled 40 hours at our center that we are REQUIRED to go work at center C the hours to make our weekly hours 40 (when it's not our 2 weeks scheduled over there). So if I am scheduled to work only 4 hours at my center, I then have to drive to the other center and work another 4 hours that day. The thing is this center is more than 30 minutes from my house and that's driving 85 miles per hour on the autobahn (I don't know how far in miles, but if it takes me 30 miles driving that fast, it's pretty far, at least to me.) I just feel had I wanted to work at center C I would have applied at center C. I really don't want to have to drive from one center to another in the same day. They are doing this because most of the people who have gotten hired at center C quit within a few weeks of working there. Why would I want to go there if everyone quits? There must be a reason. I am so annoyed.

I don't know if I just continue to suck it up (worked in the infant room only 2 of the 4 days I worked last week) or if I apply at one of the Air Force centers and just be done with the Army. I would make about $1.20 less an hour, but it might be worth it. The problem is I have heard horror stories about the AF centers (work hours and the directors) which is part of the reason I went with the Army first. I'm just so torn. I want to somewhat like my job. I don't have to love it, but liking it to some extent would be nice. I just really don't care to drive to center C after working at my center for part of the day. That would make for some really long days and I guess my lunch break would be the time in the car driving over there. Then I just think do I suck it up and drive to center C, tell them I will work 40 hours a week in one of their infant rooms if I can have the hours I want and then just leave center A all together. I *think* I can handle a bad director if I like the children in the room I am working in. I would work 40 hours a week if I worked the early shift and could be home when my kids got home from school. Dh could get them up in the morning and they can get themselves out the door. They were only home about an hour alone after school when I worked at the dental clinic. Now it's more like 2-2 1/2 hours. We haven't been eating dinner until 6:30-7:00 and that's even with dd and dh cooking dinner before I get home.

Sorry for the long post, I'm just frustrated and need someone without feeling involved to give me some insight. Dh knows I'm frustrated, he thinks they should pay me to drive to the other center. I just don't see that working because of me having to take a lunch break between the 4 hour shifts. UGH!!!

[AnnW]

Is this a temporary fix until they hire new workers? I know my hours go up each time someone leaves and goes down when they hire someone.
I would write a letter to your director and cc her boss, stating the terms of your employment. If you don't want to work full time, then don't.

[Mickey]

I agree with Ann...I'd tell them in writing that you were hired part-time, for center A, in the INFANT room, and that's how you want to remain.

If you wanted to, you could offer to help them out for a set amount of time at center C...to give them a chance to find someone else), but that you can only do a maximum of ____ hours/day, including your lunch break, which would not be taken during the drive (and I think the drive should be on the clock). However, while I am all for being flexible and wanting to help out, if they are likely to take advantage and not be appreciative, I'd just stick to plan A and write the letter.

[Diane]

I agree with Ann and Mickey. They hired you knowing that you wanted to be hired as a part time employee, and that you wanted to be in the INFANT room. (Section A) You accepted the position thinking/assuming that that was the way it was going to be. If you had known it was going to end up being 40 hours a week and in section C, having to drive all that extra way, you may not have taken the position at all. They shouldn't be too surprised at your reaction. As a matter of fact, I'm sure they're probably expecting something from you. I don't think you should keep quiet about this... Speak your peace because you're totally in the right.

Good luck... and please keep us updated.

[RCT]

Oh Jen, sorry things have gotten so screwy there...I have to agree with the others, put your thoughts in writing, keep it short and simple....state the facts, and if YOU don't want to work full time...DON'T.

I think its horrible that they have changed the rules on you. Two centers in one day....No thank you.

[Amy]

Good advice already from the girls. Just know if you get bullied into working more hours than you originally asked for and not even at the location you applied too, will just backfire. You will most likely end up extremely unhappy about the tactics they are using and will end up quitting.

[JAK]

Good advice already from the girls. Just know if you get bullied into working more hours than you originally asked for and not even at the location you applied too, will just backfire. You will most likely end up extremely unhappy about the tactics they are using and will end up quitting.

That's what I am afraid of. I want to be flexible because I know they are in dire need of help. They money will be nice working 40 hours a week for a few weeks, but I don't want to do that every week for as long as I work there.

I don't know if I just stick it out until the new year when I know several people are leaving from my work between now and then. I don't know if that is when they plan on making major changes and making people "regular" employees because the others are leaving.

Is this a temporary fix until they hire new workers?

For Center C you mean? Possibly. I have seen several huge ads and there is a job fair this week where they will be interviewing and hiring on the spot. If it works like things have been working, these people will get hired though and just quit in a few weeks. Our center hired me and 3 other people the same day. We do not need 4 new employees at MY center. I have questioned all 3 people in higher management about this (the director, the asst director and the trainer). I asked straight out why did they hire 4 new staff members when they are NOT needed (lucky for me I started working before them. Two started Nov 2nd and 1 hasn't started yet). I was told (by the director)because our center was closing and moving to a new building (I didn't know this when I was hired) that they will need trained staff after the move (they don't even know when this is happening). The trainer told me "good question, I don't even know" and the asst director (that did the hiring while the director was away) just looked at me blankly.

The part I have going for me is that I have more experience in the field than any other person there. The director KNOWS what I want and I *THINK* really wants to make those things happen, it's just this is out of her control (to some extent). I just hope it's temporary (for me). I know others (some of the newer people) don't mind driving over to the other center (even though they have never worked there) because they want the 40 hours because they need the money. As much as I'd LOVE to have the extra money with the shifts I work when I have been scheduled 40 hours, it's hard with my kids (because of their age), it's easier for me not to work the longer shifts. If I had to work 40 hours, I'd just prefer it to be at one center and not 2 different ones. I guess my original post was more of a vent because I'm frustrated about the whole thing. I'm going to talk to the director today to clarify what is actually going to happen. I will work my 2 weeks at 40 hours a week at center C without complaining as that is what her boss has mandated. I just would rather NOT got over there after having worked at MY center for the day.

[RCT]

Jen - sounds like you need to sit down with the Director and just talk with her, tell her your concerns and that you don't mind helping out for a while, but that your worried that your going to be stuck in a weird 20 hours here 20 hours there position and that isn't what you want.....It never hurts to be honest and tell them how you interpret it, they might shed a new light on your situation, and then your don't have to worry anymore.

[KarlaB]

Jen - What a pain! So sorry you are going thru this. Love the advice you got here - hopefully they'll be receptive to your concerns when you approach them!! Keep us updated!