I'm at a crossroads, of sorts, at my job.
 

As many of you know, I am a security officer at a research facility here in beautiful Kansas City, MO. I am at a crossroads of sorts at my job.

Situation: switching shifts
Stakes: Keeping my job or potentially losing it

Right now I work the could-be-better shift of Thursday-Monday, 3-11pm. I work with a great guy, it's laid back, three-15 minute rounds, ect. Brena and I share Tuesdays and Wednesdays off. She works mornings, but is off in time for us to enjoy Tues. night and go to church Wed. night (yeah, yeah). It has worked so far because using personal days off (of which we have many a year) is really easy, I get the time I really need off. And I get off at 11pm, so I am able to go out after work if there's a party I want to attend (and sleep in until 2:30pm if need be). Pretty simple, right?
I've had this job since February of last year, making it the longest I've ever held a job (a source of pride for me because I am a job-nomad, of sorts), so I really don't want to lose it. I have a car that isn't paid off until Aug. 2007, so atleast until then.

I have an opportunity to move to Monday-Wednesday (7am-3pm) and Weekends (3-11pm). On Monday-Wednesday I'd be up front with the receptionist and I'd totally have nights off, including the ever-alluring Friday night off/sleeping in Saturday scenario there. When I first had this job I was working mornings and I didn't really care about the job (I figured I'd be here 6 months and lose it/quit like all the others), so I didn't make the best impression.

Pros of moving:
All weeknights off
still able to make weekends parties and sleep in
able to show supervisors I actually do care about this job
I don't mind doing the receptionists' job when she goes on break

Cons of moving:
No more ultra-relaxed evening shift
people here pretty much hate security and we're the scapegoat for EVERYTHING (if a guest/client bitches, we get written up or called out for it, sometimes even if we're following procedure) and, here's the clincher,
my supervisor basically said that, if the move didn't work out (too many complaints, ect) and the slot I have now gets filled, I would be basically assed-out for my job.

I should note two things, though: This place doesn't fire people very often, as they are a proactive place of employement. I have to really fuck something up to lose this job, even if I do take the morning shift. And, moving doesn't up my pay any to move.

I'm weighing heavily on just keeping my head down and keeping my shift and atleast waiting until I get my car paid off before risking my job on a position that doesn't pay any more and is a very risky move (given the big wigs and pretty much all the bored scientists that DO NOT like us like to nit-pick and everything).

just FYI, i'm not only asking netphoria. i'm also weighing opinions from co-workers, parents, and my pastor.

i need an outsider opinion.

keep it. it suits you.

what did your pastor have to say

haven't asked. this just came up pretty much yesterday.

honestly, make the change. it sounds like you've grown to like this job and it's a chance to prove yourself to them which could make things easier for you in the end. plus, the evenings will be free and the weekend. you'll be a regular joe with a regular job and hours. welcome! ;)

and, i work 7 - 3:30pm, it's great because you have daylight hours to mess around, even in the winter. you'll get use to getting up that early in no time.

lol

i would stick with what you have now because i'm pretty lazy. why work harder for the same pay? also the 11pm sunday finish to 7am monday start would make me cry because i like to sleep.

Do the opposite of whatever your pastor says.

This is what *I* would do. Get the car paid off then make a switch. Good luck on whatever you choose!

if the pay is potentially better with the switch, and it's not a lot more work, then i would go for it, but if you're happy with what you have and you think that it will do nothing but add stress, don't

If the pay's the same? Stick with the current shifts.

If it meant getting more money/getting a promotion on down the road, then I'd grit my teeth and bear the crap ass day shift and the big-wigs nit picking. If it doesn't? Bah. stay with the 3-11 gig, pay your car off, and go from there.

It's also nice that Brena has her Tuesday/Wednesday nights free, so it's like y'alls weekend. my boyfriend and I had something similar to that when my school was in session and we were both working. I'd request certain days off of work every work (or rather, just tell them that i was unavailable) so he and I could have time together to do whatever without me having to go to school or either of us having to go to work.

What does Brena think?

Also, fuck having to be at work at 7am. I like to sleep during the day - too bright.

where exactly do you work?

and id just sit tight and enjoy your sweet ride now if you wouldnt be making any more money... its not like theres another step up after the earlier shift that you need to fill this position to have a shot at, is there?

she used to be the receptionist here and she knows the crap thrown around from the higher-ups and thinks i should stay put.

but the days off! that's what's making this hard, lol.

it's a research facility, im hesitant to give any more info than that because it's govt and they don't like to put themselves out there as a research facility (due to protesters) and because i've posted about being drunk at work on here.

anyway, no, there's really no position to take over if i were to take it.

Be a chicken shit and don't switch over. Its obvious thats what you want to do.

stem cells!

i have no idea why i'm even responding to you, but actually right now i'm split 50-50. it really could go either way.

Well, my bet is that you'll stay. Let me know when i'm right.

oh, yeah, and the morning shift MIGHT mean less of me here.

so, take that as you will and i'll watch the 3rd option skyrocket.

im going to NM on the 20th and i still havent asked for the time off from my job. im torn between jsut never talking to them again after not showing up and calling them and telling them im moving to houston because of an emergency

the job sucks, anyway. they gave me my 90-day evaluation really early and i got raised to a whopping 8.40 an hour but its still pushing carts. after philmont i dont want to have blisters on my feet 24/7 anymore

don't even use the excuse, just call them and be like, "uh, yeah, i'm not going to be working anymore."

it doesn't sound like that great of a job to begin with.

Are you getting food stamps now, alex.

Ouch.. What is minimum wage in the states?

$5-something

5.15

wait. i thought they moved it to 6.50....i remember when i started working it was 4.75 and then a month or so later they raised it to 5.15

geez.

David, did you make a decision?

I would keep the cooshie position at least until your car is paid off... when will that be?

i would like it just for the flexibility