COVID-19, commonly known as the Coronavirus, has affected basically every business out there. While most are slower than normal (or having to close), there are grocery and retail stores that are seeing insane crowds every day. I count my lucky stars that I no longer work in the grocery industry. Our company, however, is implementing measures to try to keep us and the company itself safe.
We are working from home on occasion during this pandemic. We have done full days at home, we've gone back to full days in the office, and now we're doing half days. Half of the office works from home in the morning and in the office in the afternoon, and the other half of the office works in the office in the morning and at home in the afternoon. I fall into the former category in working in the office in the afternoon. I think I would actually prefer the other option; get the office work out of the way, get home, and it's a seamless transition from working at home to relaxing at home.
Unfortunately, our bosses have had to implement a cost-cutting strategy that is going to hurt the employees financially for the time being. They're postponing a portion of our salaries to get by while our business is slow. Fortunately, I have built up a savings account I could survive off for a bit, but if this goes on for an extended length of time, I might have to do something about it.
I really feel for all of the families who live paycheck to paycheck and those paychecks are now either reduced or no longer coming. As I type this, hundreds and hundreds of restaurants and bars are having to close. I have heard of some CEO's taking a paycut so they can continue to pay their employees, and I got to say, those are the real MVP's.
My thought is we have to slow and basically stop the spread of COVID-19, and then once that happens, we have to get everyone better. If everyone infected or sick stays at home, normal activities, events, and business can resume once the spread of the disease stops. Hopefully that is sooner rather than later.
If this gets bad enough, this could be one of the most single devastating things to happen to not just the economy, but to western civilization. The disease is really only fatal to the elderly or people with underlying health issues, but the hit so many businesses and industries will absorb may take years and years to recover from. Some smaller businesses may be forced to close forever because the financial hit will be too much to recover from.
Let's hope this goes away soon, and we can go back to our normal lives.
Showing posts with label Working. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Working. Show all posts
Monday, March 16, 2020
Tuesday, February 4, 2020
Working with numbers
Originally published November 27, 2019
I love working with numbers. Never has that entirely been my job, but it's now been a part of my last two jobs. Ever since I was a kid learning math, I have always been at least above average at math, sometimes even being the best student in class. Numbers never change and once you know something (such as algebra), it can help you in more complex and difficult applications (such as calculus). I took Pre-Calc in high school, and then took three calculus classes in college. Anytime my job involves working with numbers, I enjoy that aspect of it, and I'm always good at it.
As I said, back in school, I was good with numbers. I once won a contest to memorize digits of Pi. I don't remember exactly how many I remembered, but it's helped me remember this much so far (without cheating): 3.14159265358979323846. I did more than that, but I still have those memorized at least. My favorite part of math was algebra, solving for x and whatnot.
At my past job, numbers did come in to play quite often. First off, I had to memorize PLU (Produce Look Up) codes for produce items. I picked that up very quickly, since they are only 4 or 5 digits long, and usually started with the same number (4). I would often impress my coworkers and customers when I would remember a PLU code for a very obscure produce item we wouldn't sell very often. I even memorized the bar codes of cases of water, soda, and cat litter because I typed those in often enough. Those were around 10 digits long. And then, it came in handy when I got trained for bookkeeping, as my math skills helped immensely (counting money, for one).
And now at this job, my skill with numbers is helping yet again. Currently, I'm having to add and find totals for various apple varieties for different fruit companies, which can be overwhelming due to the vast amount of numbers. But it helped me find matches between different reports to help verify the correct totals.
I just have a very good memory for numbers. I remember all of the addresses I've ever lived at. I remember phone numbers very well, even ones I hardly ever call or never call. When I'm watching a show or movie and a character has to remember a series of numbers, I try to see if I can do the same, which I usually can. If you ever need someone to remember a series of numbers or do some quick math for you, I'm your guy.
I love working with numbers. Never has that entirely been my job, but it's now been a part of my last two jobs. Ever since I was a kid learning math, I have always been at least above average at math, sometimes even being the best student in class. Numbers never change and once you know something (such as algebra), it can help you in more complex and difficult applications (such as calculus). I took Pre-Calc in high school, and then took three calculus classes in college. Anytime my job involves working with numbers, I enjoy that aspect of it, and I'm always good at it.
As I said, back in school, I was good with numbers. I once won a contest to memorize digits of Pi. I don't remember exactly how many I remembered, but it's helped me remember this much so far (without cheating): 3.14159265358979323846. I did more than that, but I still have those memorized at least. My favorite part of math was algebra, solving for x and whatnot.
At my past job, numbers did come in to play quite often. First off, I had to memorize PLU (Produce Look Up) codes for produce items. I picked that up very quickly, since they are only 4 or 5 digits long, and usually started with the same number (4). I would often impress my coworkers and customers when I would remember a PLU code for a very obscure produce item we wouldn't sell very often. I even memorized the bar codes of cases of water, soda, and cat litter because I typed those in often enough. Those were around 10 digits long. And then, it came in handy when I got trained for bookkeeping, as my math skills helped immensely (counting money, for one).
And now at this job, my skill with numbers is helping yet again. Currently, I'm having to add and find totals for various apple varieties for different fruit companies, which can be overwhelming due to the vast amount of numbers. But it helped me find matches between different reports to help verify the correct totals.
I just have a very good memory for numbers. I remember all of the addresses I've ever lived at. I remember phone numbers very well, even ones I hardly ever call or never call. When I'm watching a show or movie and a character has to remember a series of numbers, I try to see if I can do the same, which I usually can. If you ever need someone to remember a series of numbers or do some quick math for you, I'm your guy.
Working a typical Mon-Fri work week
Originally published October 4, 2019
For the first time in my working adult life I am working a typical work schedule. My hours aren't the most common (7:30 am-4 pm), but I am working Monday through Friday. Before, I worked in retail (a grocery store, to be specific), and my days varied. My most common days off then were Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday and sometimes Monday. Occasionally I'd get other days of the week off but it was rare. Now they are always Saturday and Sunday. It's taking a bit to get used to. I haven't had Saturdays and Sundays off on a consistent basis since I was in school.
I love having the typical weekends, Saturday and Sunday, off. The main reason being I am off at the same time as everyone else, especially my girlfriend. It's two days in a row off as well; something that really recharges the mind and body. I also love having Sundays off, especially this time of year, because of football. I love watching NFL games, and the day of the week they are mostly on is of course Sunday. I used to miss Seahawks games constantly, and I would resort to watching them later, having already learned the outcome. Not anymore.
Although I am now experiencing the dreg of the typical work week. Often times during my retail job I'd get my days off separated and I'd work only 3 or 4 days before my next day off. I also worked a lot of varying shifts so I may work five days in a row, but I might have one day off at 1 PM and the next day I don't work until 1:30 PM, so in essence it was like a day off. So working the same shift every day in itself is taking some getting used to. My body has basically been accustomed to not having a regular schedule for a long time, so it will take a while to get used to.
Honestly, this is what I was going for when looking for a new job. Too many times I have missed things, even holidays, because I worked a retail job that got busy at those times. I've missed a few Thanksgivings, I've missed being able to celebrate on Independence Day and New Years. Me being the huge football fan I am, I have even missed a big chunk of a Super Bowl game. Not anymore. I want to be able to enjoy things with my friends and family like most other people do.
As many people know, I am very flexible. At my old job I worked as early as 5 in the morning and as late as 2 at night. I am pretty good at toughing out different schedules whether they be early shifts or late shifts. I used to say at my old job that the consistent schedules were the ones that bothered me most because I was so accustomed to a variable schedule. I ended up being my store's interim Front End Manager after the previous Front End Manager left for another job, and I ended up working 10-7 five days a week for a good part of six months. That was hard for me to do because it basically took up my entire day and I was too exhausted to do anything after work, such as cook. Now, I get off at 4 and have all evening to relax, spend with my friends, and I have enough energy to cook and/or do some household chores.
I have to admit this new schedule is having some weird effects on me. I am now getting sleepy before even 10 PM. That hasn't happened to me since high school, if not further back. Before working the 7:30-4 grind, I wouldn't get sleepy until 11:30 PM at least. I guess it's a good thing to be on an earlier sleep schedule. Although, while my body is used to getting sleepy early, there is also the counter-affect of waking up much earlier. For starting at 7:30, I do not have to wake up until 6 or so, but my body almost always wants to wake up at 5, if not earlier. Honestly, it's something I can live with; it not only gives me time to watch TV or think about the upcoming day, but I enjoy not being suddenly awakened by an alarm. I've only had my alarm wake me once or twice so far in three weeks of this schedule.
I also used to despise Fridays and Saturdays. Working in retail will make you hate days of the week you're not supposed to, and vice-versa. You'll love days you're not supposed to like Monday and Tuesday. Now, I love Fridays and I am doing my best to enjoy the weekends. And, like that Loverboy song, everybody's working for the weekend, myself included. I no longer have to dread the holidays; at least I don't have to worry about how busy work will be right before them.
Work is a part of life and I think we in western society have established a good routine. Most of us work Monday to Friday with Saturday and Sunday off. I think it was designed that way for a reason; as if on average it takes two full days to recover from five days of work. Anyway, I like this schedule, and it seems like weeks are flying by faster than they used to. Just got to get through one day at a time.
For the first time in my working adult life I am working a typical work schedule. My hours aren't the most common (7:30 am-4 pm), but I am working Monday through Friday. Before, I worked in retail (a grocery store, to be specific), and my days varied. My most common days off then were Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday and sometimes Monday. Occasionally I'd get other days of the week off but it was rare. Now they are always Saturday and Sunday. It's taking a bit to get used to. I haven't had Saturdays and Sundays off on a consistent basis since I was in school.
I love having the typical weekends, Saturday and Sunday, off. The main reason being I am off at the same time as everyone else, especially my girlfriend. It's two days in a row off as well; something that really recharges the mind and body. I also love having Sundays off, especially this time of year, because of football. I love watching NFL games, and the day of the week they are mostly on is of course Sunday. I used to miss Seahawks games constantly, and I would resort to watching them later, having already learned the outcome. Not anymore.
Although I am now experiencing the dreg of the typical work week. Often times during my retail job I'd get my days off separated and I'd work only 3 or 4 days before my next day off. I also worked a lot of varying shifts so I may work five days in a row, but I might have one day off at 1 PM and the next day I don't work until 1:30 PM, so in essence it was like a day off. So working the same shift every day in itself is taking some getting used to. My body has basically been accustomed to not having a regular schedule for a long time, so it will take a while to get used to.
Honestly, this is what I was going for when looking for a new job. Too many times I have missed things, even holidays, because I worked a retail job that got busy at those times. I've missed a few Thanksgivings, I've missed being able to celebrate on Independence Day and New Years. Me being the huge football fan I am, I have even missed a big chunk of a Super Bowl game. Not anymore. I want to be able to enjoy things with my friends and family like most other people do.
As many people know, I am very flexible. At my old job I worked as early as 5 in the morning and as late as 2 at night. I am pretty good at toughing out different schedules whether they be early shifts or late shifts. I used to say at my old job that the consistent schedules were the ones that bothered me most because I was so accustomed to a variable schedule. I ended up being my store's interim Front End Manager after the previous Front End Manager left for another job, and I ended up working 10-7 five days a week for a good part of six months. That was hard for me to do because it basically took up my entire day and I was too exhausted to do anything after work, such as cook. Now, I get off at 4 and have all evening to relax, spend with my friends, and I have enough energy to cook and/or do some household chores.
I have to admit this new schedule is having some weird effects on me. I am now getting sleepy before even 10 PM. That hasn't happened to me since high school, if not further back. Before working the 7:30-4 grind, I wouldn't get sleepy until 11:30 PM at least. I guess it's a good thing to be on an earlier sleep schedule. Although, while my body is used to getting sleepy early, there is also the counter-affect of waking up much earlier. For starting at 7:30, I do not have to wake up until 6 or so, but my body almost always wants to wake up at 5, if not earlier. Honestly, it's something I can live with; it not only gives me time to watch TV or think about the upcoming day, but I enjoy not being suddenly awakened by an alarm. I've only had my alarm wake me once or twice so far in three weeks of this schedule.
I also used to despise Fridays and Saturdays. Working in retail will make you hate days of the week you're not supposed to, and vice-versa. You'll love days you're not supposed to like Monday and Tuesday. Now, I love Fridays and I am doing my best to enjoy the weekends. And, like that Loverboy song, everybody's working for the weekend, myself included. I no longer have to dread the holidays; at least I don't have to worry about how busy work will be right before them.
Work is a part of life and I think we in western society have established a good routine. Most of us work Monday to Friday with Saturday and Sunday off. I think it was designed that way for a reason; as if on average it takes two full days to recover from five days of work. Anyway, I like this schedule, and it seems like weeks are flying by faster than they used to. Just got to get through one day at a time.
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