I feel like a schmuck. I know there are millions out there without jobs, yet I continue to kvetch about work conditions. In one of my earlier diaries I told of quitting a waiting job because I was not willing to mop the kitchen floor after working a waiting shift at $4.86 per hour. I figured if they want the kitchen mopped, they can pay a janitor at janitor's wages.
Since then I have started work as a desk clerk in a corporate-run, national motel chain. Rooms run between $129-$189 per night. I worked as a desk clerk to put myself through college many decades ago. It was a great job for a college student, because there was a lot of down time that could be used for studying. Apparently corporate America has passed me by. At our corporate management system, they realized that desk clerks are not constantly busy, so they assigned desk clerks the task of folding laundry. Hey, why pay someone to fold laundry while also paying a desk clerk to be there if the phone rings or someone needs to check in or out? I guess I can understand the efficieny. Also, I was explained the duties before I was hired. I'm a fairly understanding type, so I could live with it.
But then, shortly after Thanksgiving, we were finally given our corporate new-employees meeting. I discovered that employees are given holiday pay for six holidays, but only after working for at least six months. By the way, holiday pay was defined as something other than time-and-a-half. That was the only definition. When asked what exactly it was, the presenter merely said, "It's complicated." I still don't know what holiday pay is, but I know I didn't get it for working Thanksgiving, nor will I get it for Christmas, or New Year's.
I'm too old for corporate bullshit. I explained to my manager that I could see no reason for this policy other than corporate greed. I firmly explained that they could pay me holiday pay or not schedule me for holidays. I stated my view that holiday pay is what employers who are not named Scrooge pay employees for asking them to leave their families and work on holidays. I even was very clear that I remain open-minded, and I would withdraw my objection if anybody could give me and valid reason why new employees should not be treated the same for holidays as veteran employees.
I was fully expecting one of three results: Either they would not schedule me for the holidays, they would pay me for working the holidays, or they would fire me. I was perfectly willing to accept any of these outcomes. Little did I know how truly evil these people could be.
Last week our schedule for this week was posted. I was scheduled to work Christmas (which I really have no problem with whatsoever; the holiday is almost entirely meaningless to me, except for the principle). I told the manager that surely she remembers that I would not be showing up. She said, "Well, you mean you won't be showing up unless you get paid holiday pay, right?" I said that was right, but the national corporate policy was that I would not get paid. She said they were having discussions. I learned later that those discussions included one very long telephone conversation with the owner.
Then a few days ago, I learned how I was to be punished. I do not get fired. I do not get holiday pay. What I get is much worse. I get the day off, and am being replaced by a "supervisor." She has to work Christmas instead of me. Worse, she is paid salary, so she gets absolutely nothing extra for working the holiday. Well, she gets six days of work this week instead of five, so I guess that's extra. I get a heaping helping of guilt.
And I thought they couldn't get any more petty and greedy. Man, we need unions in this society.