OT,OT: gotta vent!

lisawhite · 2005-07-19T00:19:04+00:00

I work as a special ed paraprofessional for a school district inCT. I applied to work summer school and got a job as an aide in a6:1:1 (6 students to 1 teacher to 1 aide) working with autistic 3 and 4year olds. We work from 8:30 to 12:30 Mondays thru Thursdays for themonth of July.On Thursday, 2 little ones were out. Both came back today; one had anote that he was not to have any dairy (the kids have breakfast andlunch at school). Turns out he had a stomach virus over the weekend -and mom sent him to school sick (he had 2 more bouts of diarhea atschool) because she's a real estate agent who had to show a house thismorning! The mother of the second little boy that was out on Thursdaycame in to pick him up early - and asked if he had any dairy. sheexplained they kept him off dairy over the weekend because - youguessed it! - he had a stomach virus!If your child is sick, make arrangements to keep your child home. I amnot being paid to be a child's babysitter (and get sick in theprocess!) because your child is sick and you have to work. I don'tdeserve to get sick -and neither are the teachers, staff and otherstudents that I work with because you're inconsiderate!Off my soapbox to done my asbestos rainwear...Lisa

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Karen C - California 21 years ago

Bingo! I worked somewhere with such a reputation that quite often they wouldn't receive a single response to a job ad. Another firm, which shall remain nameless, was forced to go through a placement agency, because word got around that they expected you to work for four people instead of two, and they couldn't get any applicants, either. Of course, at some point the agency had to tell you where to go for the interview, and at that point, the experienced people (who knew their reputation) said No Way.

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Karen C - California 21 years ago

Can I quote you on that? On one of my lists is someone who believes that WalMart is the source of all evil. I somehow didn't believe her insinuations that Target and KMart were paying their staff two or three times what WalMart pays, nor treating their part-time cashiers to gold-plated medical insurance while WalMart's part-timers are the only ones who rely on Medicaid.

I know several people who work for WalMart, and have for years -- they're in no hurry to jump ship to go work elsewhere. They know conditions are no better (and possibly worse) at other stores.

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Linda D. 21 years ago

Quote away :) As for medical insurance/benefits... Here's one for you, and remember I'm in Canada. The retail company I work for recently changed the benefit plan they use, and have been hyping it up for months. I got the New Flexible Benefit Package in the mail. Here's the deal.... If I sign up for the New Flexible Benefit Plan because of the number of hours I worked last year I qualify for the 'core plan' which is covered by the company. But, I have to sign up for a minimum of two years, so if I don't work enough hours this year I will have to pay the monthly premium next year. I am 99.99% positive I will not qualify for the Core Plan next year because I've had to reduce my hours because my 80 yr. old Dad is terminally ill, neither of my parents drive, so I'm the secondary caregiver after my Mom. Needless to say, I am where I should be and want to be and that's involved with my parents and what they are going through.

Anyway, back to the benefit plan... So, the new plan is based on how many hours you work in the previous year, the old plan gave you a $$$ amount towards your benefits based on years of service. I used to have a Life Insurance Policy, and AD&D, now I have nothing because I don't need a dental plan (DH has one), and I don't need the Extended Medical (DH has that for me). If I signed up for the Core Plan I would not only have coverage I don't need, but I would end up paying more for the coverage over the two years I would have to commit to.

How's that for a messed up benefit plan??? (shaking of head)

Oh, and it gets even better,... I recently had my 15 yr. anniversary with the company. They announced it at a Storewide Meeting while I was on vacation *and* told people what gift I had requested from the Service Award Catalogue. Nice eh?

take care, Linda (who works in retail because it serves her purpose of going to work and not taking work home with her...and she loves working with the public)

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Alison 21 years ago

This is an interesting article about Costco

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a business that does seem to treat its workers better. WalMart isseen as being worse than other large retailers I think, in part,because it tends to take over the town (as in, other retailers tend togo out of business) leaving shoppers without a choice.Alison

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Linda D. 21 years ago

Thanks for posting the link, if the wage info is correct it is much higher than the retailer I work for. I wonder what the low and the high wage is...

I agree with what you think a lot of people's perception of Walmart is, but I honestly don't think they treat their employees any different than any other large retailer, at least that's the comments I get from people I know who work there.

take care, Linda

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