I am writing this post on a Saturday, one that I didn't have to spend working. Sadly, such days have become a rarity these past few months. Usually, during the last quarter of the year, business picks up and we have to work the occasional Saturday. But after the beginning of a new year, things settle down, and we go back to the standard five-day workweek.
Things didn't settle. We've been working six days a week, at least two weeks a month since the year started. It's like busy season came and never ended. And I say "at least two weeks" because that number can - and has - gone up. Without (much) warning.
We were given a schedule, listing off the potential overtime Saturdays for Quarters 1 and 2 (please plan accordingly). March 27 was not one of the Saturdays listed; that was supposed to be a day off. As of the Thursday before, however, it became a mandatory overtime day. We were...not happy about that.
Weeks later, I still feel troubled about the whole thing. I had accepted that we will (most likely) be working the listed Saturdays. But the unlisted Saturdays, we were supposed to have those days off! Now, EVERY Saturday is a potential overtime day; none are truly safe beforehand, only during. (It doesn't help in the slightest bit that the previously posted schedule has since been removed from the video feed. It's as if they are openly admitting that the old schedule is meaningless now.)
One of my co-workers frequently declares that he '[is] only one man'. Each of us is only one person. If you push us too much, we will break. I fear that we are all growing ever-closer to our respective breaking points, and am terrified at the thought of what will happen should we all break at the same time...
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