For those who have taken roles that are “Temp to Perm”, is it worth it? I need guidance.
I recently took a temp to perm role after being unemployed for about 9 months with no income (I exhausted by benefits in the US), at a company that does not offer hybrid or remote. Everyone has to come into the office EXCEPT the big boss, she gets to work from home all the time.
The company is located in an area of Chicago, that is not easy to get to by public transportation. It's a small office of about 8 people, all of who live close. Most ride their bikes and others take the bus. Me, I live in the suburbs and if I took public transportation, it would take me over 2 hours to get there. 2 months ago I was in a bad car accident that totaled my car, so now, I have to rely on using my boyfriend's car to get to and from this job. On a good day, it takes about 50 minutes, one-way, to get there, but most days, it's more than an hour and once I arrive at the office and get home. There's only street parking, and it's limited since there's a school close by and permit, residential parking, so I end up driving around looking for a spot where I wouldn't be ticketed. I am still recovering from my injuries, including my partially broken foot (mostly toes) and bone-bruised leg (I walk with a limp & pain & getting treatment/PT for it) but there's nothing the company can do to help me with the parking situation.
Don't get me wrong, I am grateful for this opportunity and to be bringing income into our household, plus I am getting paid quite well. But every day, I am filled with anxiety (post-accident PTSD) as I drive to and from the company. I have to take 2 major highways and at rush hour, it doesn't move much due to accidents and construction. I go from sitting in a chair for about 8-9 hours to sitting in a car for more than an hour. I can't go in early and leave early, everyone shows up at 9 and not a minute earlier. Since I am a temp, I don't have a key.
I don't want to quit because I desperately need to buy myself a new car so I can escape when I need to, but I do not know how long I can do this commute along with the heavy workload. I look & apply for a few jobs when I get home if I am not utterly exhausted. Thank you for letting me vent.
I HATE having to work so I can “live”.