This week was my chain salon's 6.99 hair cut sale. While the tips were great, I stood for long periods of time without a break working through the weekend. It was a total mad house from Wednesday to Sunday.
Anyway, when I sought out to work for this company about 10 years ago, I noticed they advertised flexible hours, which will explain my above intro in a few seconds.
One would think flexible hours would be a great thing. It sounds friendly. It even sounds family-like. NOT!
They are neither family or health friendly. Children miss their parents and have no routine. Employees of companies that promote such schedules are swung,so to speak, from one schedule to the next.
Here's an example of what I worked the last two weeks.
Saturday 9 to 6
Sunday 10 to 5
Monday 3 to 9
Tuesday 9 to 4
Wednesday off
Thursaday 3 to 9
Friday 3 to 9
Saturday 9 to 6
Sunday 10 to 5
Monday off
Tuesday 9 to 3
Wednesday off
Thursday 3 to 9
Friday 9 to 3
With a schedule like this, one's body can't depend on when it can rest. Everyone has a body clock. God set it. He even commanded that we rest every 7th day. He didn't make us to swing here and there. We're not cars. He didn't send us into this world with a warranty and body parts for a reason.
American corporations are out of control with these kind of schedules. A body that doesn't have proper rest is prone to on-the-job-injuries, infections, heart problems, and autoimmune diseases. There are tons of articles on this subject out there.
The company I work for uses flexible scheduling so clients will shy away from having the same person cut their hair. Their greed has turned into a form of fear. They're afraid the clientele that any of us have brought in will follow us if we leave.
In my opinion, fear and greed are a sickness. Sadly, it leaks down through the chain of command making the entire ship ill. Eventually, breaking it down.
Wouldn't it be better to have a schedule where you either worked days or nights with the same days off? One would think.
Anyway, I ended up in the doc's office this morning. My blood pressure was 80 over 74. My doc is concerned, but didn't know what to tell me other than to rest. If not, I could have a stroke or even a heart attack.
Right after I left the doctor's office, I went to see my holistic person. She suggested a 1/4 tsp of SEA SALT to a glass of water in the morning and in the evening. She even diagnosed me with Addisen's disease.
Most peep's with Hashaimoto's Disease end up with this problem. It's brought on by stress which fatigues the adrenals and causes blood pressure to lower.
So is my health or anyone's health worth a 6.99 sale or any sale for that matter or a pay check? Are flexible schedules the best thing for people in general? If so, why?
I'm seriously considering going Amish. But I don't think the Sweetman would like that very much.
Have a good week, all. Rest and spend time with your family.
Hugs and chocolate!
Shelly
Those are some crazy hours! If your health is at stake, you should look for a salon that's not a chain and allows consistent hours.
ReplyDeleteAlex, I really wish it was that cut and dry. The chain salons here in Florida, at least where I live, are putting the private salons out of business.
DeleteNot to mention, customers are loyal to the good deal or the coupon. Things have certainly changed in 30 some years.
Brings back memories when I had my own business. Never again, is all I can say.
ReplyDeleteWell, I may have to do something completely different if Sea Salt doesn't correct this completely. I've been couched all afternoon.
DeleteA set schedule would be much better for you. It's not worth what it's doing to your system.
ReplyDeleteI think my body is forcing me to do something different.
DeleteThere's a lot of talk in the UK at the moment about 'zero hours contracts', which means the boss can call you in when he needs you, but you're still on call (and unpaid) even if you're not working. It's not right on so many levels. You must put your health first. Trust that the universe (or your friends!) will provide.
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine working under 'zero hours contracts' unless they're paying one heck of a lot of money, and even then it might be too much for me.
DeleteIt seems to me that the entire world is reverting back to the master and slave mentality.
DeleteThat's crappy. Hope you feel better soon, Shelly.
ReplyDeleteYup. Crappy. My own body may force me out.
DeleteToo bad you're caught up in this but, believe me, it can be just as bad or worse working in some companies that have 9-5 hours. Finding the right kind of job can be difficult, but you owe it to yourself to try.
ReplyDeleteI know it. Nothing is never easy.
DeleteThis makes me angry. I think I go to one of the salons in your chain. But if this is how they treat their employees....
ReplyDeleteIt is, Norma. Sorry. The last one I worked at was the worst of the worst.
DeleteHi Shelly,
ReplyDeleteI shall try to comment again. Having a comment publishing nightmare.
The main priority is you health. Employees are all too ready to exploit their workers. Over here, they now have zero hour contracts. People not knowing from one day to the next, if they will have any work. The uncertainty is causing a lot of stress for those people.
You have to look after YOU, dear friend.
Gary
their workers. It's getting worse, sadly. Over here, people are being forced into zero hour contracts and never know from one day to the next if they will work. A life of stress and uncertainty.
That is a crazy work schedule. It would be nice if it would remain consistent.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I don't think anything that attacks one's health is worth it.
ReplyDeleteYikes! I think you definitely have to know your limits and when to say no. I'm still working on that one myself, so if I figure any amazing secrets, I'll let you know. I've found when I push to far, everything suffers, so... Get some rest, eh?
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your non-swinging life style, Shelly, a terrible schedule for anyone to work.
ReplyDeleteOn a positive note, I just read your short story, The Partner's Progeny, on my kindle and loved the writing, story line, and character development. I hope your job isn't quite that stressful.
I have trouble standing for long periods of time, so I definitely wouldn't be able to do what you do. I'm sorry that you have such a terrible schedule, and that it's so hard on you. I hope something changes for you soon.
ReplyDeleteThat company sounds awful, and that swing schedule is terrible:(. Stay healthy and get some rest.
ReplyDeleteI feel bad for you. Companies like this do not care about their employees. For the sake of your health it sounds like you would be better off finding another job. I have worked for several companies like this. Once burned out they make you feel like it is your fault or a total failure. :( I had one manager who used to hide all of my hours of overtime by keying it to training therefore taking away my overtime pay.
ReplyDelete