This past week, things have moved along regarding a possible new post in the store. I’d already mentioned I was interested in the new job and had to apply in writing for it. Apparently, there were to be 2 posts with the hours split between them. However, the senior manager was so impressed with my application that they’ve decided to make only one post, and next week, I’ll have a trial run to see if I think I can do it.

The post is similar hours to what I’m doing already, though spread over 4 days instead of the 5 I do now. 3 days will be longer than I’m used to. The job, I think, will require a lot of standing up, though at least I won’t be walking around the store for hours on end pushing a heavy trolley. 2 nights a week I’ll have a late finish, though on the plus side, if I get the job, no more 6am starts. Got to love that! Fingers crossed…

Wednesday, during my time off, I spent over 40 minutes chasing my X-ray appointment. Long story short, whoever requested it put it through as a ‘routine request’ which can take 12 weeks! Give me strength! I’ve now asked the surgery to change that to a more pressing request and explained that Occupational Health will be in touch with them as I can no longer do my job effectively and that I’m in the process of trying to move jobs due to my injury/pain. They’ve now done this, though I’ve been advised not to hold my breath, as it will still be down to the hospital to determine if I need the X-ray before the 12 weeks wait. How can they possibly know if they haven’t examined me?

Thursday, I had a call from work to discuss my hours next week and the trial run. Basically, I started with 9 consecutive days off including my non-workdays. This dropped to 7 days in a row due to me agreeing overtime. Thursday it dropped to a mere 5 days in a row due to working what is normally a non-workday with my potential new boss. She’s only given me a 14-hour week, though luckily my supervisor has agreed that I can work my usual weekend shifts in my current role, picking. I can’t lose 8 hours pay… After the trial run, we’ll have a chat to see how I fit into the role and if I feel I can do it, and if they like me for the role. The manager will then be on leave for a week, so I guess I’ll be back to picking whilst things get sorted out, or not.

I had hoped to work on the tills, sitting down, though my manager feels the repetitive nature of the work won’t be a good idea, and the Occ Health person agrees. I keep hoping for a lottery win lol, or for the government to lower the retirement age back to what it was. Ah, pipe dreams… Apart from my own reasons, it makes little sense making us older people work so long when thousands of younger people can’t find work; more than 11% of our young people are out of work. A colleague and I, similar age, each have a grown-up son living at home and out of work, whilst we’re working, in our 60’s, in a supermarket to make ends meet. It’s ridiculous!

Anyway, cold here with a hard frost each morning this week and fog too. Spring can’t come soon enough. Keep warm if you can, keep safe.