It’s occurred to me that I haven’t posted any updates on my job situation even though a lot has been going on. On Friday about three weeks ago, UPS called and offered me a position as a package handler. Immediately, there were issues. I had told them in my interview that I wanted to give the theatre a two week notice. Now, I had no intention of doing that. At best, I’d give ‘em a week and then just take the rest off. But when they called, the HR guy acted like that was some huge problem and that they needed me immediately. Luckily, I was able to work things out and I was able to report for duty the following Monday. That’s where I hit my next snag. See, Jared and I both applied at the same time and he was actually offered a job before I was. But when we arrived, the same HR guy I had issues with before told us that they couldn’t take us both on because we were related and that would be a “conflict of interest”. The only reason they offered it to both of us, he said, was because they didn’t realize we were brothers. Like the same last name and same address wasn’t a clue that we were somehow linked together. Anyway, he left it up to us who stayed and who left. I said I could go back to the theater, but Jared insisted I take it. So, I went in and Jared called for a ride. Later, I found out that they were looking for a specific number of new hires and it looked as if someone had hired an extra person without checking. I don’t know for sure that this was the problem, but it left me with a bad feeling nonetheless.
The first week was mostly classes. The proper methods of lifting and preventing slips and falls and such. All the ‘cover our asses in case of lawsuits” stuff. Then they began to ease us out onto the floor. Now, I use ‘ease’ as a relative term ’cause Lord it was rough. Very, very rough. In fact, I quickly found myself wondering if I was capable of keeping up. Now, I’m no quitter. I can actually be quite stubborn when I have my mind set on something. But I also know I have limits. It wasn’t a matter of if I wanted to continue. It was a question of if I physically could. And these doubts were compounded when I got my first paycheck, saw how much had been taken out (knowing that the union stuff hadn’t even started yet), and considered how much I spent on gas each week.
So, I did what I felt I had to do. I quit UPS and went back to the theater. I know, I know. Not my proudest moment. Actually, even though I ultimately think I did the right thing, I still feel pretty bad about it. There were just too many problems, though. I mean, we certainly didn’t start off on the right foot and it really didn’t get much better after that. And I really doubt I would have met their goals that they set. A part of me knows that I quit now so that I wouldn’t have to be fired later. And, later, my old job at the theater might not have been available. So at least I landed on my feet this way. And the job hunt is by no means over. I have lines in the water as we speak. I know there is a job out there that’s the right fit for me. Its just a mater of time before I find it.
