Is it normal to be hired by a company, but to be given no work at all?!!!?

10 Comments

I've been working since I was 14, for $5 and hour at a high school canteen, and I gave all the money to my family, because they needed it more than me for financial problems.
So now I work at a popular hardware store in Australia, with branches of this store all over the country, so I'm pretty lucky to get a job in such a popular franchise.

So it started a month and a half ago when I started to get less work. In February I only worked one day a week for 5 hours!
I know that I'm a busy university student, but I only have 3 days of university, so I have enough time for work, and I need the money.
I' am currently a casual worker in Admin, but the other casual workers have at least 2 days a week in every area of the store including the Admin area!

And I've been asking if they have any work for me every 2 weeks for the past month and a half. They either give me the excuse that they don't have enough money to afford one more workers in the store that week, or that they're full and don’t need anymore employees for that week.

The thing that pissed me off the most is that they hired 10 more employees last week and I haven't worked for almost two months now!
I even asked my boss this week if I can work, she said she'll think about it.

I need money soon, my irresponsible family is in debt and were running out of food! I'm becoming more mentally unstable and my suicidal thoughts are creeping back up on me.
I starved for three days to help my dad pay the bills and some debt, had no money to pay for food. Luckily I ate when my friends invited me over for dinner.

If I do quit I think I'll end up on the streets with my family. It took me a year and a half to find a job, and I only got this because they said they liked my humour. Even my local store who made casual friends with my dad wouldn't hire me!

So what should I do? And why are they doing this to me?!
Please help me I'd really need guidance.

P.S
I did make some mistakes at work, but that's because of my lack of experience, due to the small amount of work they gave me.
And I did have B.O and was warned 3 times, but I had it because our washing machine broke down (still is now) and our bathtub flooded sewage into our bathroom (This is normal for our shitty old house).
So I couldn’t take a bath or wash my work clothes properly, so I tried washing them by hand instead, but they still smelled a little.
But I did receive an award for outstanding customer service 2 months ago.

Leave and try working at another store branch 2
Just keep asking everyweek for work 3
Ask to work part time, even if you probably won't get it 0
Find another job then quit this one 18
Do nothing and just wait till they need you 0
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Comments ( 10 )
  • TolstoyDaydream
    7 years ago

    I know how you feel. Every job I've ever had I've always asked for more hours because my family situation has always been sucky in the financial dept.

    If I were you I would do this: If there's a place with a public schedule up I would look to see if people's names get crossed off (due to calling in, quitting, etc.) Tell your manager your situation. The best thing you can do is be honest about why you want more work. Always accept it when you can and show you're excited about it. Work really hard and look happy doing it (I'm sure you're doing this already though! :)) When I've been unsatisfied with my paycheck I look for better paying jobs or full times jobs.

    I know its sucky and they probably over-hired for seasonal reasons because they know that people aren't going to stay long term and they don't want so many newbies out on the floor without being properly trained. Usually after 3 months a retail company will consider you vetted.

    The other thing I do when the job market is rough and there aren't enough hours is do secret shop and auditing gigs. You can do them pretty much whenever. They don't really pay amazingly but sometimes you get a good bunch in a row and it adds up to some extra spending money at the end of the month. If you're interested inbox me and I can link you to some good, legit sites/apps.

    Best of luck! :)

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    • Anonymous Post Author
      7 years ago

      Maybe I should have told my manager my situation sooner. But I think it's too late now, her assistant doesn't even like me, he shouted at me from across the store to stop talking and get back to work. When I was just chatting while stocking the shelves with a new employee. Plus I told her that I'm moving to another branch of our store a month ago. But now that branched changed their mind and doesn't need me anymore.

      Yeah you're right I do keep a smile on my face, even if I'm not feeling happy that day. I'm still looking for a part time job, but I befriended a cook at a pizza shop, and he said he'll put a word in for me for a job there. I really hope I get it I really need to work I don't want to run out of money.

      Yeah I think they are, it is winter here after all.
      I'm very interested I wish I could but I don't have IIN Gold. Do you have any other kind of contact?

      Thank you for all this helpful advice, you've given me more hope than any phycologist has for me. We need more people like you in this world.

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      • TolstoyDaydream
        7 years ago

        I can list some here.

        http://www.mysteryshopping.com.au/
        http://www.getpaidtoshop.com.au/

        I'm from the US so I'm not sure if these companies have Australian counterparts but here are the ones that I use:
        Gigwalk
        MarketForce
        Sinclair Customer Metrics
        Secret Shopper App

        The most I've maid from the apps in one pay period is about $250 and from the websites I've made $250 too

        Typically its about $50-$70 in a pay period but that can go towards some stuff sometimes (groceries, part of utility, clothes etc.)

        I also work from home doing web evaluation and that's my main source of income. Depending on the demand and the amount of hours available I make anywhere from $1100-$2200 a month. I know the company I work for as an Australian counterpart because they're a global company. They're called Appen. If you're computer savvy you're likely to get hired.

        I also do Cam "Modeling". I know you're most likely a man but they do offer that as well for guys. lol I'm comfortable with nakedness online and usually won't show my face and body in the shot at the same time since I've seen them show videos captured from the site I work from on porn sites. I could never do it full time because I'm just so busy with other things and never really had time to do it as often as I would've liked. Casually getting on without really showing much (boob flash here, underpants off here and there) I made at most $400 a month. Its not super exciting but I wasn't really working it as much as I could've because of my living situation. But I mean that's still pretty good for barely getting on lol It is sometimes rather dull though and I imagine that the guy market might be slower (although I run into a lot of guys who talk to me about guys on there). I know it may not be for you but I thought I would just throw out all my ways for making money without having to go to work everyday and be my own boss. :P

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        • Anonymous Post Author
          7 years ago

          Thanks for the links.
          Good amount to cash in my pockets.

          Cool I like technology especially the innovative aspect to it. Im still looking for work, but now I'm thinking why don't I try tech companies since Iam studying Engineering technology.

          I would be to scared to do that, if someone I knew found my photos/footage online it would ruin me.
          I might only do it if I became really desperate.
          But thanks for the recommendation anyway.

          You know alot of ways to make cash. Thanks for sharing the tips.

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          • TolstoyDaydream
            7 years ago

            Of course! Hahaha you're good to worry. I found a video of mine online on some scammy looking porn site. Good thing my face wasn't in it lol

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  • jamieawojo
    7 years ago

    I feel really sorry for you. It sounds like your going through a lot.
    How are you going to university if you and your family are so broke? I live in the U.S. so i don't know how things work where you are, but here you can get financial aid and public assistance if your enrolled in school. They give you money to pay for classes, books and supplies and whatever is leftover is used for housing, gas money, bills, food etc. Are there programs there like this to help you? Can you go to the student admin. at your school and tell them of your situation and get guidance? They may be able to help with job assistance too. I also know here in the states you can sign up for public housing, food stamps and medical care. Do you have such things there? You might be able to get public assistance and health-care in order to address your depression.
    It's unfortunate your family is irresponsible and that you are bearing the weight of all these worries at a young age. But if your able to complete university, then you can get a better, higher paying job and move on from the negativity around you. There's always a way to get through things. Even when you are so overwhelmed and at the end of your rope, there is ALWAYS a way. You need to find a way take care of yourself because it's NOT your responsibility to worry or pay for your parents. They should be taking care of you and ensuring you have what you need to succeed in life. Sounds like it's time for you to cut them loose and make a way for yourself.
    As for your job, you need to actively look for another job. You have plenty of time on your hands right now. You could mow yards or wash cars for your neighbors or walk dogs. There are ways to make money until you figure something else out.

    I don't know if any of this helps but i hope so. Let me know how your doing

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    • Anonymous Post Author
      7 years ago

      Thank you for your reply I really needed an opinion.

      My dad has a taxi job now, and he used to be a wedding photographer. I respect him at least for still trying to work. Meanwhile my Mum doesn't want to work, and keeps making the excuse that no one can look after my 15 year old sister. But she's 15, I think she's capable of staying home alone!
      All my mum does now is short courses in random subjects for the past 6 years now, no work just learning.

      I'm on HECS -HELP so my uni payments are differed till I get a good job and earn a certain amount of money.

      I also have Centerlink payments but I use the money to help pay for food for the family and our internet. And sometimes the bills if my Dad needs help with that.
      So I have no money left to get food or uni books and other resources, when I help pay the bills and other house hold expenses.
      I even had to sell my old laptop last month to get more money.

      I told them of my situation when I first started but they told me to apply for scholarships, but the problem with that is anyone is allowed to apply so you can be rich and get one, and they pick your name randomly out of a draw, its all chance, and I was unlucky and received nothing, while one of my friends got a $20 000 scholarship.

      I'll ask about public housing, since I can't take everyone being abusive to each other here. Someone gets into a physical fight every few months, I have at least 3 times now.

      I did get job assistance from Centerlink but they just told me to hand out resumes that's it!

      I did see a phycologists at my uni but I only saw them once every few weeks, since they're book up. And I always stop seeing them after a few sessions, I don't really know why but I feel like talking about my feelings isn't helping me at all.

      And now I already fucked up my semester this year I missed 3 weeks of uni because I was to mentally unstable and suffered from a migrain.

      Yeah I think you're right, it's kinda fuck up for a teen to help take care of their family.
      Should I try and move out perhaps by seeking housing and rent money from my uni and Centerlink? Maybe they'll help me if I tell them whats really going on in my house.
      But I'm scared they might get too involved and call the cops on someone since a 14 year old is there.

      If I move stores under a new boss do you think they'll do the same thing to me?
      Or maybe I should just go job hunting for a new one.

      Okay I won't give up for now.
      Kinda fuck up but I told myself if I'm still in the shits when I'm 40, then maybe I should end my life, but I hope it doesn't come to that.

      Thank your for your kind and intelligent words, it's nice to know someone still cares about me.
      This help me far more than any phycologists I've ever seen.

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  • mypenisinyourmouth
    7 years ago

    As I understand, Australia seems to in need of car and truck mechanics. Go work as an appy at a workshop and learn about it. Get qualified...or...koalafied... and then you will have a proper job

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    • Anonymous Post Author
      7 years ago

      I'm already studying engineering, but couldn't hurt to try and learn about it.
      And if there's a lot of spots avalible then I'll learn.

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  • sillygirl77
    7 years ago

    tl;dr

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