So I got the word in late April...I was chosen for a new assignment at my company with a $3 an hour raise, and I will be going from part-time (25 hours a week) to 40 hours a week. I was told it would start "in two-to-three months."
OK, it's not a glamorous position...I clean offices for a living. But a new contract secured by my company will put me at a GM plant here in Flint, MI. I am not sure of exactly what areas I'll be cleaning, but I was told the work might be a little more difficult than the basic dump-the-trash, dust, clean toilets, clean windows, and vacuuming that I do now. Something about having to move pallets or something. Believe me, for $11 an hour, I can do that.
Not that an $11/hour job is the be-all-and-end-all. Even at age 59, I am considering seeking training to do something else -- medical billing/coding, radiology technician -- anything I can make a decent living doing. Hell, it's a long way to social security from here.
But, through a happy series of mistakes, I have health insurance through my company, including dental and vision, which would, of course, continue on the new assignment. So, right now, it's a Godsend.
It represents a huge economic parting of the clouds, both for me and for the country. The economy MUST be improving if GM can pay someone $11 an hour to clean.
And this: it seems like more than coincidence that the very day I was approached for this job, I had a conversation with God. It went something like, "So this is it. $8 an hour. No other jobs out there that I would qualify for without training or schooling. Dear God, how am I supposed to make this work? God, you know that I am scared to death that something will happen to Milton (the older gentleman who lives here and -shares expenses- pays the bills).
"Dear God, you know I do animal rescue. I can't pay the mortgage on a part-time salary, much less buy food for my critters.
"OK. I'll have to go back to Michigan Works (the state's one-stop shopping for job hunters, if Gov. Rick Snyder hasn't decided to do away with it). Maybe they can help find some dollars for a training program. Maybe I can pick up another cleaning job, or pick up another couple of hours by working 7 days a week. Other than that, I give up. I accept that this is the way it is for another few years, until I can qualify for social security."
It was a strangely peaceful moment, when you give up the struggle. Maybe it was because of my recent return to my Catholic roots that it felt as though I was turning everything over to Someone else.
Maybe my mother, who used to clean offices herself and who passed away March 6, had a hand in it.
Maybe it was empowering just to decide SOMETHING.
Not even an hour after this crushing moment, my supervisor appeared at the office I was cleaning and offered me the position. I still won't believe it until I walk into the new assignment, and especially after that first paycheck is deposited into my credit union account. (Lord knows my credit union will be happy, and the overdraft fees lately have been blowing up my account).
So, as I await further details on the new gig, I may have a little decision to make. I understand that there will be three shifts, and I may get my choice of which shift I want to work.
My question to Kossacks is: What are the advantages and disadvantages of 1st, 2nd or 3rd shift?
Some facts to keep in mind:
I do not yet know what time each shift begins. It is logical to conclude that my start time would coincide with the start time for the actual plant workers. If you know what those times might be (any Flint-area autoworkers out there?), it might help.
As I mentioned, I care for some foster dogs and kitties, and have a small kennel and cattery to care for. It takes four hours MINIMUM to do this. Plus, I like to be home during the day for any inquiries/visitors I might have in regard to the animals.
The aforementioned older gentleman (age 82), I think, is a little uneasy with being home alone all night, even though there is a vanguard of small dogs in the house who might scare away someone who might think of intruding. The chihuahua is an especially bad actor when it comes to strangers.
Third shift (basically overnight) appeals to me because it seems that one could arrange the rest of the day as needed, either sleeping just before work or just after. If you have worked 3rd shift, has it worked out that way?
I am presently working what might be termed 2nd shift (approximately 6 pm to approximately 1 am) because I need to work after the offices have closed for the day. I have been doing this for almost two years. I could continue this -- it works well for all of the reasons I mentioned. The problem is that I hate it. I have zero life (well, except for DKos :) ) and I am out of sync with my friends and family.
All of these points may become moot if they just assign me a shift. However, I am SO anxious to get into this new job that I am arming myself with everything I can to make the best decision I can. I don't think I'll be able to change shifts easily once the decision is made.
So, calling all shift workers! What worked for you and why? And thanks for any input you can give!
11:17 AM PT: UPDATE: So there is a story in the Detroit Free Press this morning that brings me down a little. It says,
"Single Michigan residents without children must earn $12.24 an hour to support themselves."
http://www.freep.com/...
Dang. I can't win for losing.