Surviving Work

[holistica]

Hey, fellow rawfoodies! Over the last 4 days that I've had off from work, I've spent a lot of time thinking about what my major downfalls in raw are. I've been off and on raw for the last two years, and it's being really frustrating and difficult. I've gained almost all the weight back, and I'm angry and tired. As I sat here, I have realized that a good chunk of my problem has been my work situation.

I work part time at a large chain grocery store, surrounded by deli rotisserie chicken, doughnuts, muffins, and energy drinks... I work between two departments, one being Checkout, and one being Produce. Checkout seems to be the harder one to survive.

My Produce manager/team lets me use the bathroom whenever I need to.
My Produce manager/team gives me my breaks (mostly) on time.
My Produce manager/team will not turn me into store management if I keep a handful of almonds in my pocket in case I get hungry.

My Checkout manager/team makes me wait to use the bathroom.
My Checkout manager/team gives me a break when/if they remember, and sometimes not for 3 or 4 hours into my shift.
My Checkout manager/team will march me straight into the store director's office and write me up if I am caught sneaking an almond, even if I don't have a line of customers.

I'm an extremely hard worker, and on checkout, I know when is/isn't appropriate to slip myself food or ask for a bathroom break. If the whole team is behind on breaks, I will end up waiting hours and hours, going without food or water. When I first took this job, I explained to both my managers that I live on a special, required diet, and that being able to eat, drink, and go to the bathroom at reasonable intervals is NECESSARY. My Produce manager is reasonable about it. My checkout manager doesn't think she has to be reasonable about it until I bring her a note from a standard medical doctor who outlines how often I should eat/drink/pee/stretch/etc... When it's been 4 hours and I haven't had a break yet, I just start grabbing, and that's where my problems come in. Chicken sandwich, candy bar, muffin, ANYTHING to make myself feel full fast, and it's completely screwing me up.

So, since I work part time, I decided to restrict the number of days I could work until I figured out how to survive these shifts. I asked for Sunday and Monday off, and for not more than 30 hours a week. I have been scheduled between 32 and 36 hours a week every week since I asked for this. So, since it seems like cutting back my hours is NOT going to help me get back on track, I need to figure out how to work within their restrictive parameters.

Does anyone have any suggestions, or a personal work survival guide for a situation like this? Any help is appreciated.

[walnutty]

I would look for another job! Ü

[trenchchic]

Consider eating a big salad before you go to work, that way you aren't hungry at all during your shift. I don't know what time you go to work, but this may mean eating a salad for breakfast.

[Raw Angel Mom]

((((((YOU are Amazing)))))

Really, you are. What a hardworker and determine person you are.

Hold the vision that you are working with the perfect people that support you in your life style. Visualization truly work. In the mid time, use this board to seek for support.

Any Whole food store near buy? or a health food store that you could work.

The good side of your job is that if you manage to stick to raw, you will be pretty much strong for any other challenge.

All the best and be proud of you!

[holistica]

I used to work at the local co-op, but the board of directors had the manager get rid of me because they didn't think that having visible tattoos or piercings was appropriate for their business image. Weird, hunh? That's how I ended up working at the chain store. I've been looking for a better job for months, but it seems I just can't find anything around here. I think the only solution is going to be to move. Until then, I will have to stick it out.

[Daisyhead]

Some of the smaller chain stores like Whole Foods, Trader Joes, Mother's etc. are more accepting of visible tattoos and snacking. If one of those stores is in your area, or one like them, maybe you could get a job there. My Whole Foods has lots of interesting people working there. Good luck to you.

[Cruditas]

If they allow you to, keep a raw food protein bar handy to help when you start feeling weak. I am not sure if they have your breaks on regular intervals or not or how difficult it is to cover your register when you are on break. I have a PHR in Human Resources and reasonable accomodation should be made if it is not interferring with your abilty to do a good job. Unfortunately some places are not the best to work for. While you have time put out some apps at places that may be more friendly. Good Luck.

[Juicerguy]

You sound you have a really good work ethic and are trying to work with these people the best you can. How frustrating this must be. That is also weird to me that a food co-op would not want visible tatoos or piercings. Every co-op I have been to has had a wide variety of different people working at them. Including people with tatoos and piercings. I agree with some of the people above. Do what you can while you are there, but be looking for something else on the side. Or of it is even possible see if you can work exclusively in the produce department part time and maybe find something else part time as well.

I am a full time college student now and am receiving a full loan package. Which I fully understand I will have to pay back once I am done with school. The reason I am doing this though is because I know I will be able to be working at least in something that will be closer to what I want to do in my life. If it means paying a loan back while I am doing it...Then fine that works for me. Over my life I have learned how much an unhappy job can effect our overall happiness. Since you end up spending a lot of your time there the answer can be it can effect our lives ALOT!

If you have no alternative though I agree with Raw Angel Mom who said above to visualize that you are working in a supportive situation. I have heard that this can attract a better situation to ourselves. :) . I work on this on and off as well. I hope you can find a better situation for yourself or the one you are in will improve. Remember even though some places will try to make you feel like they own you or you must "stick it out" at the job. You have free will and choice. If there is something better available you are completely free and the choice is yours to make your life better. In the end it is your happiness and peace at stake not theirs. :) Good luck!