For context: I (24F) work at a summer day camp as a camp counselor (float), meaning I am not attached to a specific group every day. It’s nice cause I don’t have to deal with the same kids every day. This is my second month here as a new camp counselor.
All that said, today was an absolute st show. I went into work at 7:30 am to help set up. There were only 3 of us counselors until 9 am, which is NOT the norm, we were badly short-staffed. I helped out with supervising the big tent where all of our crafting/reading activities were as part of pre-care for campers before camp begins. Usually if there are less than 15 kids, one counselor watching over is the rule, any more than 15, at least two counselors need to be present. Lucky for me (NOT) I was the only counselor supervising 35 campers. YEP. 35 F*ING CAMPERS. AND 1 OF ME. No support from the supervisor or anyone for a full hour. The rest of the counselors working today didn’t arrive until 9 am which is when camp officially begins.
As a float, I help give breaks to counselors that are assigned to a group. It’s close to 10 am and I still haven’t gotten a break yet, and my supervisor tells me to give a 10 min break to a counselor, mind you this counselor hasn’t even been here for a full hour yet somehow they get to go on a break. And what about me?? I ask her when will I get to take my break, and she responds with “Later.” This infuriated me, she was practically denying me a break and I was not going to allow that as that is technically illegal. So my anxiety and anger took over and I yelled at her:
“Listen, I have been here since 7:30 am, and have had to watch 30+ kids all by myself with no support from anyone. And you’re going to tell me I have to wait until later to take my break?! I will not wait. I will either take my break NOW, or I will go home.”
Needless to say, She obliged. I got my break.
I feel proud of myself for standing up to her. I’ve always had somewhat of a hard time with standing up for myself in these situations, but over the years of being in the workforce, I learned that I can’t and will not let people walk over me. Situations like this warrants me getting mean. And this goes for everyone else, don’t let people walk over you. Take your break. Don’t let anyone deny you your much-deserved breaks. Thanks for reading.
TDLR: Supervisor was about to deny me a break, and I told that b***h off.