Hello! This is my second reddit post ever so forgive me if it's not good.
A small bit of background, I went to college and then I graduated and felt like I was so burnt out from it and I just needed a rest. I have always been terrified of full time work so I decided to do some part-time stuff after college while I get my mental health under management.
So I, 23F, work part time as a receptionist. I love all the people here, but I get paid near minimum wage (a dollar above) and have a lot of responsibility I would consider above my pay grade. I was so ok with this before because I actually liked being at work and seeing all of my favorite people. After about nearly a year of working here, I hit a wall and I am really starting to crack.
Here's something that I will probably drive you guys nuts- I don't get breaks technically. If I leave the desk for 5-10 mins, people are like “where is X?”. It gets worse- the weekend shifts are 8hrs and I cannot leave the building. Granted, there is an argument that I can do whatever at the desk… however.. I can't leave. It isn't really a break if I can't leave, right? Especially for my 8hr shifts. I sit in here and watch the world pass by through the sunny window. Could I sit outside? Yes. But again, I cannot leave. The most I can do is walk around the parking lot. I got more freedom with breaks during my hellish retail job. I don't know if this sounds dramatic or not but I truly feel like a caged bird.
I read the employee handbook and I am legally allowed a 15 minute break per 4 hours worked and can take an optional 30 minute lunch break. I've known this for a while but have bit my tongue on it because I can do whatever I want at the desk when it isn't too busy. However, I know see that my thought process was stupid!
We are understaffed and we have been for a while and I am just sick of being in crisis mode here. Ideally, I do not work every weekend. However, I work every weekend (one day) for the past month and a half which doesn't sound long but as someone in their early 20's, it sucks! I truly love the people I work with. My boss truly cares for us but she does not have much power to change anything herself as she also is getting shafted. This is almost scaring me into full time work but I'm not sure I'm ready for that so I just feel so stuck and angry.
Also on the weekend we are the only building staff in the building. God forbid anything happens there is no one to help me. Also, I am small and weak and I do feel scared sometimes here by myself all day.
So here I am…at work.. making a reddit post because I feel like crying and yelling. I really love the people here and it makes me feel guilty for feeling this way. I briefly spoke to my boss about this but didn't' get much of a solution for the 8hr shifts. There has been times I worked more than 10 hours (few, but still! It sucks!!). I just feel like I'm interested in knowing if anyone has any thoughts/feelings on the situation or what I should do. Maybe I need a backbone or maybe I shouldn't have to pull up the handbook if I ask for a break… I'm torn! I've had a headache all day and all of my shift yesterday. Maybe it's from sitting and staring at a screen, maybe I'll take a stroll in the parking lot..