Over-exaggerating? Maybe. But I'm feeling this way. I'm sure some of you may feel the same way time to time because there's those who love their jobs, those that tolerate it, and those who totally abhor it and are suffocating.
I work fast food....I know. Enough said. Is it normal for someone with above average IQ and a past honor roll student to be working fast food? I doubt it. But that's not the point I'm trying to convey. I've quit this job before and came back because I couldn't even find something remotely better.
I feel I can't even get a step ahead. I started teaching music lessons at home on Mondays and now I have to work Monday even though I've told them I can't work Mondays. They do this all the time. When I tell them I can't work a certain day they schedule me anyway, because, hey, I'm just a lowly fast food worker who has no life right? I'm sure other jobs are the same way. And I'm sure I'm part of the blame. I don't have a felxible schedule. I want to work when I want to work. And if not there's great anxiety. I know this sounds lazy of me and I'm sure many would say "this is why you're still working fast food", but I want to be something better. I want to go back to school but, hey, that would mean having to work the fast food job at night where it's so much worse (having to work with kids...I feel low enough...). I don't drive. I walk to work because it's just a half mile away.
I dread my looking at my work schedule every week because it defines my emotions for the week, it defines my whole life for the week.
It really should be something that could drag people in situations similar to yours up and running. You're not alone, there's plenty of others on this forum who tell similar stories.
I can relate to what you’re going through. I’m supposedly quite intelligent--I have a degree and am reasonably talented in art--but I find myself working in a poorly paid, low level office job.
The job itself isn’t at all challenging--but I still had to take a week off due to ‘stress related illness’ and truth be told I’m still having difficulty coping. I get distracted very easily and have been in trouble by making rudimentary mistakes. I hate going to work at the moment and experience huge anxiety every time I do.
Intelligence isn’t always enough to succeed in to the world…self confidence and social skills count for a lot. I’m more intelligent that the people who are in charge of me…but hey, what you going to do?--that’s life unfortunately.
I would say however that scheduling you in at times you ’can’t work’ seems a little like they’re taking advantage of you. Most employers are willing to compromise on shift work.
Don’t feel bad and don’t consider yourself lazy--you’re not.
Erkolos is correct…you’re not alone; there are many others on the forum in a similar situation.
I would have HATED to be in your situation.
When you are supposed to have time of,that should be respected!
What is your diploma anyway?
What is your diploma anyway?
Hi Emmy,
Are you asking me this? I just have a regular high school diploma (Academic), if that's what you're asking. I was on honor roll all my high school years and graduated at the top percentile of my class, with first honors in the German language as well. Was in Honors and AP classes as well.
So I feel embarrassed to be where I am. I do feel taken advantaged of. However I feel like a snob when I say I don't deserve to be treated like I do (because it makes it sound like those I work with - with lower intelligence - deserve to be...when no one deserves to be treated like crap.
Don't feel embarrassed about your job imajican...we all do what we must in order to survive; when it comes down to it...a job is really only a means by which we pay the bills--it doesn't define who we are as people; and it shouldn't affect our feelings of self worth.
You are clever...and a nice lady. The fact that you work in a fast food industry is incidental.
give them a written notice saying that you cannot work mondays,and make sure you are seen handing it over.
if they continue to disregard that,get the authorities involved
Thank you for the replies.
My schedule is not just the thing. It is an overwhelming dread just thinking about the place. Why feel such dread over a crappy simple job? Why am I not able to get out of it? Why can I not even answer my own question and how am I supposed to expect others to help me?
I started teaching music lessons at home on Mondays and now I have to work Monday even though I've told them I can't work Mondays. They do this all the time. When I tell them I can't work a certain day they schedule me anyway,
OMG!! I HATE THAT SO MUCH!!! my work does this to me too. Im like "I can't work friday because im traveling to St.Louis" and then he f*cking scheduals me to work friday. WTH?!?!?!?
I never get any hours either, and when I do it's always on they day I told them I can;t work. Like why in the hell didn't they schedual me to work thursday? HUH!?!?! HUH!?!??!?!
Thank you for the replies.
My schedule is not just the thing. It is an overwhelming dread just thinking about the place. Why feel such dread over a crappy simple job? Why am I not able to get out of it? Why can I not even answer my own question and how am I supposed to expect others to help me?
I notice from your profile that you are self diagnosed. You need to get an official diagnosis and then ask for reasonable adjustments. What would they be? I am not sure that having a specific day off to do another job would be one of them! I'd keep your personal desires out of it. Is your work place busy on Monday? Do you really need to be there? Would it be more economic for them for you to have Monday off and work another night when there are more customers? In reality if you have no diagnosis and no contracted hours/ days you have to do what your told to. Or leave.
Thank you for the replies.
My schedule is not just the thing. It is an overwhelming dread just thinking about the place. Why feel such dread over a crappy simple job? Why am I not able to get out of it? Why can I not even answer my own question and how am I supposed to expect others to help me?
Michael 1 has made some valid points re employment rights.
I suspect that you dread it because it is hateful, you are dealing with people who often aren't at all pleasant & in effect you seem to be being bullied.
You will likely find it difficult to move because you do have a job & that is a safer feeling than entering the unknown.
This is a low paid job & it's highly likely that your managers aren't paid a great deal more than you...very common in such employment.
The owners give some employers power rather than money.
Many employees will enjoy the power & aren't all that bothered about the poor pay, they usually abuse this power on a daily basis just by making life difficult for others.
I have seen this situation & the victims in different types of poorly paid jobs rather too often .
Unfortunately I don't have any advice on how to deal with this.
Over-exaggerating? Maybe. But I'm feeling this way. I'm sure some of you may feel the same way time to time because there's those who love their jobs, those that tolerate it, and those who totally abhor it and are suffocating.
I work fast food....I know. Enough said. Is it normal for someone with above average IQ and a past honor roll student to be working fast food? I doubt it. But that's not the point I'm trying to convey. I've quit this job before and came back because I couldn't even find something remotely better.
I feel I can't even get a step ahead. I started teaching music lessons at home on Mondays and now I have to work Monday even though I've told them I can't work Mondays. They do this all the time. When I tell them I can't work a certain day they schedule me anyway, because, hey, I'm just a lowly fast food worker who has no life right? I'm sure other jobs are the same way. And I'm sure I'm part of the blame. I don't have a felxible schedule. I want to work when I want to work. And if not there's great anxiety.
I know this sounds lazy of me and I'm sure many would say "this is why you're still working fast food", but I want to be something better. I want to go back to school but, hey, that would mean having to work the fast food job at night where it's so much worse (having to work with kids...I feel low enough...). I don't drive. I walk to work because it's just a half mile away.
I dread my looking at my work schedule every week because it defines my emotions for the week, it defines my whole life for the week.
If Monday is a busy day for the fast food place, it is possible to schedule music lessons for a day that you're seldom called in?
I am in the same position, and I do have a diagnosis. Ultimatums ( I have to have these hours off or I'll leave) are totally ineffective, because as a fastfood employee, you're utterly disposable.
I suggest applying for a job in a grocery store, possibly one with a union if you can. Most big stores have a service deli, which is where I worked and for which you already have experience...but I think deli work is hell for an aspie. I'm a cashier now and it's a little better. The turnover rate in a store is still high but not as bad as fast food IMHO.