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My work schedule is killing me
Good morning,
I'll start off by telling you that I'm 25/f. I work in a university in an office, 8:30-5:00. Seems like a pretty regular work schedule. But, for some reason, it's really taking a toll on me. I'll elaborate. There are three of us in the office and we all take lunch at separate times, with the exception of the manager. He is not included in the three people I just mentioned, so he takes lunch whenever he wants. Because I was the last person to be hired in the office, I take the latest lunch, which is from 1:30pm-2:30pm. This has posed a few problems for me. I am hypoglycemic, which means that my blood sugar drops and can get very low. In order to avoid this, I typically eat about every 3 hours. But, when I have a full meal, I can extend it a little bit longer. The problem is that if I'm eating snacks all day, that's not very satisfying. By the time that it's lunch time, one of two things has happened:
1. I've eaten way too much throughout the day. I've had to be eating snacks continuously to avoid my sugar dropping and at 1:30, I'm not even hungry, but I still have to eat... because I'm not gonna get another chance to eat until 5.
2. I haven't eaten enough and I'm starving. I have a glazed look in my eye. My hands are shaking. Basically all the symptoms of a hypoglycemic person.
If I were able to switch my time to a more descent time, like 12 or 12:30, it would be a lot easier for me!
When I leave at 5, the food is typically still heavy in my tummy because it's only been about 2 hours since I ate last. It makes it difficult to feel energetic after the work and get things done, like going to the gym and running errands. I am trying to get my lunch switched, but it seems like my supervisor isn't budging.
I know that I need to find a new job soon because they are not being at all sensitive to any accommodations I have requested. I requested a day off in April because it's a Jewish holiday and I was denied the request because it's a "blocked off day." However, I think religious observation is a pretty legitimate exception. I think that switching my lunch time due to a medical condition is also a legitimate exception. But, still, no one budges. So, I am looking for a new job. In the meantime, can anyone offer me some advice on what to do?
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If your anything like me, change is scary! And the thought of looking for a new job is just as scary. however, you should be able to go to management and have them be open you your medical condition. Because they don't this may also be a workers labour board concern,. and might be something to look into as well.
Because of the fact that is for a medical condition and could make you ill if you do not eat in the right amount of time, it could also be life threatening. i would advise maybe talking to your doctor. also start looking for a new job asap.
Your life is way too short to be stuck in a job that they wont take your medical health seriously.
hope this helps!
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Your title says it all. Try to look for a job that you can do on and off until you find something that you really like. There are things like mycastingfile.com where you can be a movie extra for a day or so. Or you can do mystery shopping with a company like Coyle hospitality. Basically, I would look for little odd jobs where you set your schedule. In the next interview that you do, make sure to interview your interviewer lol. See what kind of people you are dealing with and make sure they know your needs. You never want to work for a person that you cant see potentially being friends with. It seems like your current boss thinks you are expendable, so they dont care about your request. Your health is more important so quit. Live modestly until you find something else. Good Luck!
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Besides be more careful about your pre-lunch snacking, I'm afraid I have no advice.
You are right that both refusing to alter your lunch hour and denying you a religious holiday off, are serious errors. The kind of errors you might be able to take up with human resources (a university workplace will almost certainly has some policies that should offer your some protection) or failing that, to court.
But, that's a lot of hassle. Maybe more hassle to fight than to find a new job. Whether you want to fight it or not, looking for a new job would be a good idea.
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