Working Wives & Bachelorettes: Since the Dawn of Time...

I grew up as an only child and being an “only” definitely had its advantages and disadvantages but one thing it didn’t do…was make me your typical spoiled brat. My parents never had a ton of money and they both worked extremely hard so that they could provide for me but, they also taught me how important it is for me to work and be responsible. I started working when I was 11 years old for my dad who owned his own handyman business. When I was 18, I got my first “big girl” job as an admin for an advertising agency which helped pay for my college education. I worked full-time and went to school part-time. I’m now 33 and still working my ass off. I still have a “big girl” job (part-time) and my husband and I own our own bar/restaurant. I’m not complaining, I actually like working hard…it gives me something to do and keeps me out of trouble but, what really bugs me, especially in an economy such as this, is when people just take having a job for granted. And I feel like a lot of people coming up in the workforce now just don’t get it. To me they come across as feeling entitled and they are somewhat lazy and inconsiderate. Does anyone else feel that way? Or, is it just because now I’m in my 30’s and the reality of it is, I was the same way in my 20’s? I don’t know…all I do know is that yesterday I got screwed and I’m pissed!

Thursday’s are my longest day of the week. I typically work for my “big girl” job about 3 to 3.5 hours. Then I jump in the shower, grab a bite to eat and I’m off to the bar. I open the bar on Thursdays so I have to stock beer, do roll-ups, portions, clean and get the place open for business by 3 p.m. Then I bar tend till about 9:30 p.m. My relief comes in at 9 p.m. but has to restock beer etc. before she comes on. Last night turned out quite differently though, as my relief decided to call off work ten minutes before she was supposed to walk through the door. At that point, it was too late to try and find someone to fill in for so I just said fine, I’ll work it! I ended up working the shift. Thankfully, the girl that comes in it 7 p.m. to wait tables, till about 9 p.m., decided to stay on with me and we just toughed it out together. I mean who calls off ten minutes before your supposed to show up for work. You can’t really do that in the service industry because the hours are weird and most people in this industry have other jobs. Not to mention the fact that she called off because of her period! WHAT?! I just couldn’t believe it.

In the end, myself and my faithful side-kicked, pushed through the night will smiles on our faces, made some great money and had some giggles. But, I’m still really upset and I can’t figure out if I’m upset with her because I’m her boss and I feel like what she did was inconsiderate and disrespectful or, if I’m upset because she’s my friend and it was inconsiderate and disrespectful. Either way, I have to say something to her and I’m just not looking forward to it. I mean, I can appreciate the girl calling off because she didn’t think she could work her entire shift, but I didn’t appreciate her doing it ten minutes before she arrived. I don’t know…I just feel like all of these younger kids pull this crap all the time and it’s frustrating to me because they make more money working 20 hours per week then most people twice their age, not to mention the fact that so many people are without work right now and really struggling. Calling off because you have your period doesn’t seem to me like you appreciate your job….the one that I gave you and can take away from you anytime. I’m baffled… I just can’t imagine calling off work (any work) because I have my period. Women have been working with their periods since the dawn of time.

UGH!

I apologize for the rambling and complaining etc. but I’m frustrated. Sometimes, this is when I wish that we never opened our own business!