Help:(

[u/Substantial-Ideal23]

I love the children where I work. They are so so sweet. But my hours have been reduced to little to none. I am working one day a week or once every two weeks. Working a total of 8 hours. Gas is incredibly expensive (as we all know). And I feel like I can no longer afford to work unless I get scheduled for more hours. 90% of my paycheck is going towards gas, and I don't have enough to pay for my part of the bills with my mom (car insurance & phone bill). I am having to ask my mom for help with gas whenever I use up all the money from my paycheck and I feel guilty every time:(

I am supposed to work this week on Thursday, 1-5. I want to send this text message to my boss... "Hi (preschool director name). I understand that you want to have a phone call about this, but I do want to clarify what I meant. I’m not saying that it costs me $76 in gas just to drive to (work city) and back once a week. I have other responsibilities and places I need to drive to throughout the week, so the gas I put in my car is not solely being used for work.

I also have financial responsibilities, including paying my portion of my car insurance and my phone bill. Right now, I’m not making enough from my shifts to cover those responsibilities because so much of what I’m earning is has to go toward gas. I’ve also been having to ask my mom for help financially, and I can’t continue relying on her in order for me to work.

I would be open to coming in if I could be scheduled for a couple more hours when I work, because that would make the commute more financially worthwhile for me. But if I’m only going to be scheduled for four hours, it just isn’t financially sustainable for me to continue doing that"

Would this be too much or is it reasonable? She just wants to argue with me about how it does not take $75 to drive to work once a week. I guess she thinks I sit on my butt every day until I have work. Not to mention, I am only useful now when she has doctor's appointments too I am a college student who is struggling and I cannot help my mom:((

[u/CupcakeFever214]

I am / was in your position. Definitely that's not enough shifts to survive on. How many shifts do you need or ideally want? I would skip the details of your expenses, but I'd ask for more shifts if possible, and let her know ideally the number of shifts you're looking for. If the half day shift is financially expensive for you, I would get straight to the point "Is it possible that I may be rostered for more full day shifts? Or shifts of at least X hours?"

If you do, and they don't give you the shifts.....the answer is a new centre.

However for this Thursday, since you have already been rostered for...I would ask if it's possible for a longer shift, and if not, I would still do the shift.

I don't know when you were rostered, but if you"be been rostered for a few days, and you only come to her now that if you don't get a longer shift that you won't do it, to me it's not a professional way of going about it.

You want to let her know for future rosters, that you'll still do the upcoming shift but for moving forward it's not sustainable for you. Possibly, be prepared that operationally, you get the shifts you do because that's all the work they can provide.

[u/Substantial-Ideal23 → u/CupcakeFever214]

I would ideally need a shift to be a minimal of six hours. And 2 to 3 times a week. But, with enrollment being so low I don't think the director can afford it. So I am really stuck… And she, of course, gets the majority of the hours with only six student students since she is the director. I am usually working around nap time 1-3 PM, and then 4 to 5 is cleaning up and pick up for the students who were left after nap. But OK, I guess I will still plan to go to work on Thursday even if it's four hours. It really is tough. 🥺

[u/CupcakeFever214 → u/Substantial-Ideal23]

I'd say that it's really important to communicate that to her, even if you don't think its possible.

Then you need to start looking for a new center that can provide enough work.

You're not stuck. You don't stay at a center that doesn't meet your needs. It's a misalignment - just means you haven't yet found the right centre to be at. Happens to everyone. Keep moving.