Overtime Blues
The truth is that times are tough. Overtime is looking more and more scarce, and those of us who banked on it to pay the bills are getting a little creative on how to keep the money flowing.
We recently had an overtime snafu when the shifts were posted 30 minutes earlier than we were told. Some had logged on early to be ready and snapped up all of the overtime before the rest of us had a chance. There were apologies and promises that next time the overtime would be posted at 5 a.m. instead of 5:30 a.m. as the system would only allow even time posting.
Those of us who missed the boat were upset. How were we going to make ends meet without the overtime we knew and loved (or loved to hate)?
Then we got the talk from management. Our hospital was doing better than most in this turbulent economy, but was still being hit hard. Overtime would be cut. There would be a hiring freeze and a hold on all bonuses and pay raises. Our snazzy new tower addition is not partially opening in May like it was supposed to, it would be delayed to coincide with the whole tower opening in 2013. Even everyone above the level of VP took a 10 percent pay cut.
Now what? Things have gone from bad to worse. What's a little respiratory therapist to do?
I, for one, have gotten creative. I recently took on a part time gig as a karaoke hostess. The pay isn't comparable to what I would make at the hospital, but it tides us over. Every Saturday that I don't work as an RT, I'm shuffling discs and hopefully trying to not blister people's eardrums as I sing to fill in the gaps.
I know that it seems a little strange, but it works for me. I get to make money while doing a job that lets me blow off some of my steam from three nights a week saving lives. It's keeping my family afloat in a mostly overtime-free world.
This is my call to everyone who is feeling the pinch. Get creative! I have a friend who started consulting to a home care company on the side. Another friend has taken the lack of overtime as a sign to devote more time to her jewelry-making business. All it takes is a little creativity, and we can get through this.
Hang in there, we'll make it through. Next time you're in Indianapolis and you venture out for an evening of karaoke, it may be me calling you up to sing "Freebird!"
Stephanie