Working on the night moves...

     Yes, ladies and gentleman, as Bob Seeger put it, I am working on the night moves... again.  As my faithful readers are aware...(and I hope I have some faithful readers), I began my job at the golf course community working the overnight shift (10pm-6am) and then switched to evenings (2pm-10pm).  I am now back on the overnight shift, temporarily, to cover vacation and a surgery...(from the same employee).  He always takes off the week after Christmas and recently found out that he has to have heart bypass surgery, so I volunteered (yes, volunteered) to cover his shift while he is away.  I won't know how long it will be until after the 15th (he meets with his surgeon) but I started working the "graveyard" shift 2 days ago.  It will be better this time because I know how it is and am better prepared for the rigors (boredom) of night shift.  Sleep deprivation will not be an issue this time.  And I am already enjoying the fruits of being awake at dawn...(early morning walks and bike rides and plenty of golf practice).  Unless something awful happens to my colleague, he plans to return and I will shift back to evening shift.  Change is good and variety is the spice of life.  I have several books, movies and crossword puzzles waiting to be read, watched and solved, respectively, so my time will not be spent staring at the road praying someone comes in.

     The amazing aspect of this move...(besides having me actually volunteer for it...pretty amazing in itself!) was the reaction I got from the HR director, the Security Director and my immediate boss.  Each one looked at me in disbelief and asked if I was sure I wanted to do it.  I explained that this would be the best move for everyone involved because there are two rookies on the shift and they needed someone experienced to cover when the supervisor was off.  It also freed up the assistant director to work during the day and cover the daytime shifts when 3 people are needed more than overnight.  I think that they couldn't believe that someone would actually volunteer to change their schedule for the "good of the company" which sheds a light on the other people working in my department (and not a bright shiny one).  Which is why I have the opportunity to work overtime. No one else would step up and work some extra hours? Where is the work ethic and team concept? We all work in the same department but it's shift vs. shift, complete with self-important drama and petty issues that make me laugh.  The over abundance of ISOS (Inflated Sense Of Self) makes me laugh also and I feed the controversies at every opportunity...(for my personal amusement. I LOVE my job!)  Which is why I got the reaction I did when I volunteered to change shifts.  Kind of sad, actually.  And then there were the questions...Are you insane? (of course, Duh!) How much are they paying you extra? (Nothing,,,I told them to remember my generosity at raise time). Why? (because it needed to be done and I volunteered).  You're crazy! (See above).  

     I have been working a long time and it's a shame that the work ethic and commitment to your job that I learned from my Dad seems to be falling by he wayside.  Pride in your effort (showing up on time, looking presentable, going the extra mile) is replaced by doing just enough to get your paycheck, showing up just before shift change, and refusing to do anything outside the job description.  A sad commentary on the state of the work force these days.  Screw them!   I'm a company man and go the extra mile and I will enjoy my time on the graveyard shift.  Have a great and wonderful weekend!