I knew it was going to be slow as hell for a while, but I was recently shown the production sheet for the upcoming months and it's damn near blank from now into February.
I work a 4 day 10 hour shift and I only got a full 10 hours once this week. Otherwise, I've left twice at lunch (6hrs) and once just after last break (8.5 hrs). Yesterday I literally worked myself out of work by 2pm and was the only one there (outside of my manager) by noon.
I'm not sure if working as many hours as I can get will net me all that much more than simply going on unemployment. I've started looking for another job to supplement the lost hours, but I'm kinda limited by my own resolution to never work as a bartender/server again. I'm sober now, so I'd rather not put myself in that situation, and it's not like I'll be making anywhere near the tips I used to get. I moved away from the tourist destination where I was bartending to a very rural area, so averaging $300 a night just ain't happening.
So, should I just continue as is? Should I try to find a second job? Should I take a short-term/several short-term layoffs? Or should I just ride this whole thing out on unemployment and use my free-time* as I see fit?
- note that I live in the north, so outdoor activities are limited by snow and subzero temps. I have hockey, music, art/writing, and gaming to fill some of my time, but I'd take suggestions on other ways to fill it if you think I should take the layoff.