Preface: I’ve worked a 33 hour shift here, and several 24 hour shifts, not a single break given. On average a shift here is 13 hours no breaks, we don’t qualify for breaks
Work for a foster care called St Ann’s home. You wouldn’t believe how fucked up it is in an environment dedicated to mentally ill and homeless children. Staff yell at kids constantly, restrain kids unnecessarily (there are times when it’s needed). All kids with traumatic histories. The worst part is, the staff don’t see any error in their ways. I’m very calm and patient with my kiddos and spend my day busting my ass for them, to be lectured by my coworkers about how I don’t put my foot down enough because I’m not screaming at them.
Not to mention I’m a man and the only man on my unit. I’m also the only white person. I experience racism on the regular, and I’m not respected even tho I have the most child care experience and knowledge by far. Many of my coworkers won’t even talk to me because I stand up for myself regularly and tell my coworkers I have no issues with my performance.
My coworkers also run to supervisors every single day to complain about me or my manager because he is also a white male. He has had 40 years experience in child care and does nothing but work day and night to better the lives of children with severe issues. He also never yells at the kids. I’ve never complained once to supervisors either.
I’m in an island where I’m stranded with knowing I’m right and they are all bitter people who can’t deal with kids without shouting or sitting them in time out in a chair in a corner. Never would I have thought that I would be the target of racism and sexism in a workplace. I’m pissed because I’m getting a new job, similar pay rate but 9-5 remote. But my heart and soul went into these kids here and I cry thinking of when I have to say goodbye. Another positive male figure in their life abandoning them. Breaks my fucking heart man.