12 Hour Shifts

By paperbackwriter · Mar 15, 2019 · 485 · 2
  1. There is a new pub in our city, right next to a new sports stadium. Both are huge and popular. ive been there. its a nice vibe when its quiet. However one of the pub managers complained in the local newspaper recently. In so many words he said that "young people just don't wanna work these days".
    He prefers to hire visiting European backpackers because apparently they have a better work ethic. "local kids just quit on me or sometimes just don't even call in to say they aren't coming in." That I can sympathise with a little. Must be tough dealing with employees who don't even show up. But then he mentioned the 12 hour shifts. "Young people don't want to work fast non stop for 12 hours. they want everything on their terms."
    I thought to myself, there is no way I want to work fast non stop for 12 hours doing anything. Even when I was young. That is unreasonable. I need breaks. And if I had to do a hard intense job, I would need at least a 1 hour break in the middle of a 12 hour shift. And some other short breaks in between. Problem is when the almighty dollar is paramount, working conditions can suffer for employees. Employers will take the easiest route. if one group of employees don't mind being treated badly, then the conditions will stay bad. Backpackers will only stay a short time so they know they only have to put up with it briefly.
    I sound like a trade union official don't I. :) But of course capitalism is the best system on offer. Overall Im happy to live in a capitalist country. But I can see where employers need to be kept in check. They will try to get away with whatever is on offer. If I were a boss, I might do the same. Save money by hiring new immigrants for instance. Well of course that makes business sense. Im not a charity organiser. Balance is required though. that's why we need left and right politics. One to support the employer, one to support the rights of the worker.

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  1. paperbackwriter
    Oh and the nature of the job is worth considering. imagine dealing with a hungry thirsty stampede of wild animals after the game. The losers to drown their sorrows, the winners to gloat over pints of amber fluid. Behind the bar, trying to decipher over the awful din, what an impatient " customer's order is.
    "So 3 Pints of beckers, a Pint of Pale Cascade, 2 southern comfort and cokes, and a lemon, lime and bitters.
    " no...that was 3 southern comforts..."
    "what?... I didn't hear you, sorry could you repeat that??
    paperbackwriter, Mar 15, 2019
  2. EFMingo
    12's aren't that bad if it's five days a week or less. When I worked in aircraft, we could end up working 14 to 16 hour days, 7 days a week. Sometimes that kept up for a couple months. Then the disgruntled people really started coming out and getting angry. It's really how you approach it. If you become absorbed in it during the working hours, and are able to leave it behind as soon as the day is done, you'll be okay. I took a lot of pride in putting hard work in during those nasty time periods, and I found it really rewarding. I learned a lot more about my work and I gained an extremely strong work ethic. The pride you get from surviving runs like that and not falling is awesome too. Miss it sometimes. Still have the stories to tell from it.

    Maybe I'm just crazy. That's okay though, I don't mind.
    EFMingo, Mar 18, 2019
      paperbackwriter likes this.
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