This past week we were informed of changes to our contracts that come into effect in October. Although we’ll have a ‘primary’ area of employment, we’ll be expected to work anywhere in the store, within reason, and also work hours outside of our current core hours. It’s good and bad. With core hours, I always know what shifts I’m working, and where I’m working, though it does get tedious on times. This way, I’ll get trained in other areas, and could even get the occasional lie in. I’ve had to state the maximum hours a day I’m willing to work (6), which days (don’t care), and how many days in a row (5) – I like my 2 consecutive days off in a row and don’t want to lose that. I’ve also had to state where I’m willing to work, and how late I can work (4pm). I reminded my manager of my age, and that I’m not physically capable of filling shelves, for example, with crates of beer. I think I’ve been very amenable to the changes and have few limitations so hopefully it won’t come back on me. He did say that if it does, then he’ll back me up. They must be able to make some concessions for us older staff, especially if we have health ‘issues.’

Mainly, I’m hoping for some till training; at least you get to sit down! I did state that I’d asked previously about till training and the other manager had blocked it by stating he wouldn’t release me. Well, now he has little choice as this has come from upper management. I mentioned that I’ve worked on tills before, in a previous job, covering breaks and lunch breaks so hopefully this will go in my favour. Several younger staff don’t want to be on the tills, apparently, so maybe more for me? It’ll certainly add some variety to my role, and that can’t be bad. All this is part of being able to cover absences in store and is part of the pay rise agreement apparently.

The overtime I’d agreed to before leave didn’t totally pan out though in the main, that’s because I’d asked if I could waive the 2 days as I was under the weather. My son and I both have an awful cold. I feel ok in myself, though my voice almost ‘went’ and I’m so bunged up I can barely smell anything. Sunday, I was due to work an extra 2 hours, though my supervisor did state I could do some till training, so I stayed for the extra hours. It went well! It's quite straightforward, and I got to sit on my butt for more than 90 minutes so that was nice. It’s still work, don’t get me wrong, though my feet did appreciate the rest. It was nice too, to be able to chat with customers without somebody breathing down my neck to work faster. In future, if there’s too many pickers, I can be released to work on the tills now, or I can volunteer for overtime on the tills. It makes my day more interesting anyway.

I’d had a good morning in work Sunday, until I went to my car. OMG! My poor car looked like a flock of incontinent seagulls had been using it for target practice; I’ve never seen a car with so much bird sh*t on it in my life! I had to use the wipers and washers quite a bit, just to be legal to drive home. Then, an old ‘lady’ strayed out of her lane right into my path whilst I’m doing almost 40 mph. I stood on the brakes, and the horn, and swerved into the central barrier to avoid the silly old bag! Luckily, I missed her, and the barrier. My brakes must be d*mn good! After a good morning, I was quite rattled by the time I got home.

After I’d calmed down and had a quick bite, I phoned my kid sister, and we had a nice natter for almost 45 mins. I couldn’t talk any longer as I was getting more and more hoarse. A blessing for others, I know LMAO. Hopefully this will go soon… I then spent over 30 minutes cleaning my car. Good grief. I have 2 days off now, my ‘weekend’ so I can rest up before work again on Wednesday.

Have a good week.