Total Irony

I was out of the job field for 14 years before going back part time at the assisted living facility.
And while I always had bosses that treated me fairly and that I got along with , I am not totally naive in my thinking that sometimes, it's all about the money. Money the boss receives in a bonus for being under budget,  under hours or full filling some quota or another.

But I was still shocked at the happenings this past week.

My shift is 3pm-9pm, and it's called the "half-shift" although it's more of a three-fourths shift.  The "full-shift" is 2pm-10pm, with each caregiver assigned a certain section of the facility and me floating around, helping every where. 

Tues, I got to work on time and was greeted with "Makayla called in sick, we are short a girl." 
So, we all ran our butts off and constantly asked management if they were calling anyone in to help us out. "We are working on it." we were told.
Then, it was 4:59 pm 

Do you think management stuck around to make sure we had the help we needed? 
Do you think they kindly asked if I would consider staying until 10, to make sure our residents were well taken care of?

Nope 

I kindly stayed an hour past my shift, took no lunch break and gave a 100%, like I do every time  I work. 

The following day, I went into my boss' office and had to report why I stayed late and did not take a lunch. When I stated that there was not enough coverage at 9 for me to go home, and I took no lunch because again, it would have left not enough aides on the floors, I was lectured about budget hours and labor laws. 
Not a "thank you" for staying to take care of our residents.  Nothing.

Except a reminder that scheduling rules were changing.
Now, instead of people having certain days, and times, off, the schedule would rotate to 4 days on, 2 days off.
When I asked, "Even the part timers?" I was told "Yup."
When I asked, "No matter what agreement was reached when I was hired? With my availability accepted then?" . I was told, "This new schedule will void out all that." 
"Hmmmm...that doesn't work for me. I chose this job, and you chose me for this job, with the understanding that I could not work certain days and I only wanted certain hours. We both agreed on this certain schedule."
"Doesn't matter."
"Well, I don't think I will be able to work here then."
"We are hiring more staff in the anticipation that we will lose some current staff."

I have worked there a year!! I have called in sick two times.  I have come in on my days off numerous times. I have stayed past my scheduled shift numerous times. Residents request me, by name, to help them. Co-workers request me on their shift.  I am not a slacker employee. I have won prizes from the same management team.

I thought I was a valued employee. 

I guess I was wrong. 

The irony? 



It was staff appreciation week.