Jobseeker’s Diary

The thing about ditching one job for another is that you’re always going to compare the new job to your last one. In my case, there are many good things about the new job but there are also things I miss about the previous one. While we were required to report to the restaurant by 9:00A.M, I’m now supposed to be at work by 7:30A.M. It’s hell I tell you. And we have a clock in system so we have to show up at that time. It would be easy if we just swiped cards because then, a friend would clock in for you but we have to use our finger prints. And the boss conducts impromptu roll calls anyway so you have to be present or else you’ll go down as not having worked that day. Then comes the salary issue. The pay at the restaurant may not have been much but it came on time. During my time there, we were never paid later than the 3rd. “Old” staff at the new place told me not to expect any money before the 8th. I thought they were joking but as I tick the days off, I know they weren’t. Apparently, the people in accounts have to confirm with the boss first, evaluate and revaluate everyone’s performance and attendance, after which cheques are issued to individual accounts. You must know about most banks’ snail processes before clearing cheques. Seeing that it’s such a long process, I wish the boss would work faster and ensure that the evaluation is done latest the last day of the month. If he’s too busy, he can delegate, which he really needs to do considering that he travels a lot and waiting for him to return to sign off our cheques just isn’t practical. I’ve thought about borrowing some money since I’m really strapped. Problem is I haven’t made those “tight” friends yet, people you can go to for soft loans without worrying that they’ll go right ahead and gloat to whoever cares to listen how they bailed you out. But there’s also the fact that we’re all sort of in the same boat and at this time of the month, almost everyone is broke. Then I remembered the money Jane owes me. It’s been many months and that’s probably why I’d forgotten all about it. If there was a time I really needed it, it is now. I’m known for being bold but something about Jane’s demeanour gets me balking many times. I mean, this is my money and payment is long overdue so how come I kept beating about the bush and throwing subtle hints that I want her to pay up? Something tells me she’s taking advantage of my weakness. When I couldn’t take it anymore, I told Jane that I was doing really badly and politely asked if she could pass on the money I lent her. My request was followed by a long awkward silence. I wondered if she had genuinely forgotten about all that money she keeps asking to borrow or thought it was just a handout. Knowing Jane though, I’m sure she didn’t forget. She just doesn’t want to pay. She gave me a 20 the next day, but the expression on her face was far from the excited look she had when taking it. What she gave me is not even a fraction of what she still owes but she offered no apology, excuse or even promise to clear it all at some point. For some reason though, I feel guilty for asking her to pay. Think I need lessons in claiming what’s rightfully mine without any qualms. To be continued…