I work in addition to my 40 hour week at the local jail, a part time security gig every other week at a plant watching cameras and keeping an eye on the place. It's an 8 hour overnight deal that is usually full of boredom and not much else. Lately the boss, who is a nice guy which is why I am having this dilemma, wants me to work every weekend now because he only has two other guys, one older and retired, and one young kid that they threw Sgt stripes on and tells him that he runs the place. The older guy only works there, and the young kid packs his whole 40 hours into a three day weekend and has the rest of the week off. Now the older guy doesn't want to work so many hours, so I am told I have to pick up the slack. This job doesn't really pay that well, I just do it for extra money on the side. I also have a life, with the wife and a new baby. I have told the boss that I only want to work every other weekend, and he told me that "I thought you could work with me." But if I work 6 days a week, and one day off an overnight shift, when am I supposed to see my family? The young kid with the Sgt stripes on this morning made some smart remark to me about him having to work a ton of hours, and my reply was that the boss needs to hire some more people. Apparently he has had an ad in the paper with no takers. I have a feeling this is going to come down to an either all or nothing thing, and I know if junior tries to throw his weight around one more time we will have issues. Sure I can use the money, but not at the expense of losing time with my family. I just haven't decided how badly I want this job.

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Vaya con Dios

Sounds like you have a growing bad relationship with an authority figure at work, don't desperately need the job, and want more family time....get out yesterday! You can never recover family time, and the youngsters are grown and gone before you know it.

IMHO Jst1mr is correct. Does the 2nd job that doesn't pay much and is causing a problem net more than $5.00 per day on average? You could cut that off your regular budget with one less trip to the fast food joint each day or something along that line! Good luck with your decision.

Dave, I was a lockheed security guard for 35 years. If you went by a 40 hour work week I probley was there longer than I was old as I averaged
probley 65 hours a week the entire time. I probley didnt take off 3 or 4 holidays in the 35 years! (Holidays paid tripel time!) I couldnt have worked those hours if the job wasnt easy. I was given #1 badge. I think I probley hold the all time record for hours spent at lockheed in history no matter who or what department!
It could be argued that it cost me a marrage. I worked about 32 of the 35 years on graveyard.
Yup. I made a ton of money. I also spent two tons on divorice.
My MO was to work maybe two months without a day off and go to vegas on a blowout, come home and repeat the process.
Had I behaved myself in retrospect, I probley could have got by with just a little OT, and have pretty much the same as I have today!

This I can't understand. I thought we were in a recession, with 10% employment?

Not questioning what you say, Dave, and I hope things work out for you. I just can't understand why there are no takers.

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Georgia On My Mind

Nobody ever said on their death bed...
I should have spent more time at WORK..and less with my family..

I have had the occasion to hire guys who with a full time job.. wanted to work EVERY week end.. They all lasted about two months.. I just don't do it any more both for my sake AND theirs..

PLUS the young Sgt.?? Tell the Boss that you respectfully suggest .. " I'm OUTTA HERE"

Now go home and hug your wife and kid..

THE ABOVE = My 2 Cents..

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SWCA #2306
DAV in honor of POP

family comes first...yes you have to work to provide but money can be replenished but time is very limited....you never get the time with your kids back...they grow up so quick

Competition is tough just make sure you don't lose your real job. Good Luck and I wish you and your family the very best.

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YouJustCantSeeMeLaughingIsAll

You know what Johnny Paycheck said?

Take This Job And Shove It

You'll just burn yourself out.If you can be comfortable with your regular job and you don't need the xtra cash then tell junior to stuff it.No good dealing with a little General if you don't have to.
I don't even have to tell you about family,You already asked yourself about that.
But that's just me,D.G.

Dave, please take the time to carefully make your decision. I say this because I had a similar choice several years ago and chose wrong.

As a part of the job, I am on call after regular business hours and weekends. After we lost an employee, the owner decided that he would not hire anyone else. Another guy and I took turns on call every other weekend for 7 years. BIG mistake. I didn't realize it at the time but I missed a lot at home. If I wasn't working I was doing things at home that didn't get down when I was on call. I had a teenage daughter who I didn't spend enough time with as well as my wife.

I got burned out and a few times had words with rude customers and then got my *** chewed. Made a lot of mistakes during the regular work week because I was tired and disgruntled.

I told the new owner, NEVER AGAIN!

If there is OT available at your fulltime job at the jail,,I'd consider taking a slot there on occasion as opposed to trying to work in the part time gig.
Not only will time & 1/2 on your reg salary pay much better than what you could get at the other job,,but the time/hours count down the road towards the retirement.

Either that or look for another security job. Lots of cops have leads to them.

I don't think I could stand it with Junior and the demanded increase in hours.

Dave; I know the feeling. Second jobs are for the birds. If you don't need the extra loot tell them goodbye. Time with your family comes first. I missed out on a lot when I was raising my family because of overtime.

Two eight hour shifts a month? What, $200 after taxes? I'd find someplace in my budget I could lose $200, then stay home with the wife and kid.

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Insert short witty words here

Life is too short to give up the most important things in life, your family.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Well, seeing you dont 'need' the 2nd job, I wouldnt risk losing time with the family. If your boss is as nice a guy as you say, then he should understand and work with you as you do him. Let him know how you feel and say look this is what I can do, if this isnt something we can compromise, Ill have to give you my notice.

Thats what Id do anyway.... Hope you can come to a resolution.

Spend the time with the wife and baby. They grow up fast, and you'll never be able to get those special times back.

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Misty

You said it....

See above....

Brian~

I'm a full time LEO with the rank of Lieutenant tell the Sgt want a be kid to pound it, spend more time watching your kid grow up and from experiance PT jobs always come around. Some where down the line when you feel you need more money you can always get another one make the wife and kid happy and yourself.

If you don't have the time to enjoy your life and the fruits of your labor, what's the point of it all? Time is something that no amout of money can buy. Its very valuable. Don't sell it too cheap.

Give it up - on good terms. Life and family is too important.

Both my brothers mised a lot of home time with wife and growing children. Both got divorced, and relations with their children are strained at best.

I do everything I can to have supper every day with my family, and spend every weekend with them. This is time that can NEVER be made up.

Do what you need to do, but try to put family first. IMHO.

I can relate to your situation. I have been retired since 2002. Over a year ago, I was offered a job to just cover for an employee on a month long vacation. The employee did not return. Job turned into six days a week for many months. The extra money was nice, but the stress of six working days wasn't. At end of one week, when receiving my pay, I handed owner the his keys and quit. I didn't NEED the moeny and I am happieer without the job stress. YMMV

Bekeart

All to familiar story; Your boss will continue asking for more, rather than hire more help. As long as you put up with it, that is.
The previous posters are right, IMHO. Tell your boss that you'll work
as originally offered. If he makes that happen, fine. If not, you'll
feel like you're on vacation during those times you would have been at the part-time job.
You only have the one chance with your family, you can never go back
and reclaim that "lost" time.
TACC1

I applied for a security job because I can't find a job in my college field. They wouldn't take me because I was overqualified.

when i first entered into construction i was young ,strong and motivated i worked long hours and every available weekend thinking i was being a good provider for my family . well a couple years ago my body started to fail from years of constant abuse and ,more importantly i realized that i had neglected my family to the point where my son was resenting me .
my point is ,work when you have too, but be there for your family
all that overtime doesnt really get you ahead either does it?

Overnights at a Security Job
Young Guy with Stripes
Been there done that

Killed my Health & Almost my Marriage

Time to "Punch Out" i.e. Eject

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Compact 9mm Just my $0.02

I spent many years working nights and all the OT I could as there never seemed to be enough money.

One thing my wonderful wife ( of 42 years ) told me once hit home and made me think very carefully.

She said that many times SHE FELT LIKE A SINGLE PARENT.

Please think about thet statement while you decide what is best for you and your family.

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Sceva
OGCA SWCA NRA

Untill today this thread is two years old. How about a report what you did and how it worked out?

David you just answered your own question.

Merry Christmas..

Well, dang me if I didn't fall for it AGAIN.......

Some dimwit dug up an original from almost THREE YEARS AGO just so he could put in his 2 cents. I'm so glad! The original poster has been sitting by his computer waiting for your input...............

Dave,

Allow me to share some thoughts with you.

I recently was hospitalized with bilateral pneumonia and I am having to cut back on my activities.

I have three (3) commitments - my full time job at the hospital, my teaching (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) and my reserve police work as the pawn shop detail.

It has been very difficult for me to slow down but I find I must. I burned the candle at both ends and am running out of candle.

You do need to think this through but I would encourage you to recall those things that are most important and while it may not be an issue now, health is a big deal and always working - even when you are having fun- can suffer along with all the other things mentioned by other members.

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I am a sheep dog!
1601 (ret)

Well, I can tell you that if I knew then what I know two jobs would have been the least of my issues. On December 30, 2010 I got hurt wrestling with an inmate and here I sit recovering from my third surgery. My left arm is pretty messed up, I have RSD in my left hand and since I was/am left handed it has made life interesting. RSD affects the nerves, the skin and in the worst case can lead to osteomylitis which means can affect the bones and can lead to amputation. I have been told this is years away but it remains a possibility. I know most doctors I have seen say I have the worst case of RSD they have ever seen. My three surgeries have been carpal tunnel release, lateral epicondelectomy (tennis elbow) and a spinal column stimulator to control the pain which has been substantial. I am not exaggerating when I say that until recently I never slept more than 2-3 hours a night because the pain would keep me awake or wake me up. I could go to bed at 12-1am and I would be up before 5am every day without needing an alarm clock. In between the surgeries, I have had many surgeries including two stellate ganglion blocks which are quite painful because it involves a needle going into the front of your neck, guided by x-ray to the front of the nerve cluster on the spinal column. I have had a triple phase bone scan, tried various pain meds which all failed, have had several cortisone injections, they all failed, more than a year of physical therapy which failed to make me able to lift more than around 5-6 pounds repeatedly. I have had several MRI's and on top of it all I am on light duty at work which means no overtime, basically a fixed income. The wife cannot work because I can't really take care of a 3 year old that well so finances have been very tough. In the last two years I have sold 15 guns, I am down to the lowest number since I was 19 and first started collecting. We are pretty sure this is the last surgery and that there is nothing more that we can do and eventually my boss is going to have to decide what to do with me, retire me, fire me whatever. Hopefully someone decides what to do soon because with the finances what they are I am not sure I can take another year like this one with the wife's car catching fire and geico would not total it, and the wife and I would not put him back in it so we sold it to the garage. They fixed it and the new owner has had tons of electrical problems with it. My jeep has 190,000 miles and the guy rebuilding the motor in my truck is dragging his feet. He has had the truck for much longer than I thought, the engine is all over the shop and the truck is in the back yard. If I could afford to find another motor guy since I paid this one already I would have the truck towed out of there and done by someone else but I can't. It's been rough going but I am hoping the injury and everything else will be resolved soon.

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Vaya con Dios

Sounds like you've been having a rough time of it. I hope it all turns out well.
I can relate, Kinda, I've been diagnosed with Multifocal Motor Neuropathy. It's a less lethal form of Als. I'm not in pain but it's definately been a life changing event. My wife's been helping me, going to doctors, getting MRI's, etc. We've been living off of our savings and short term then long term disability through my job. That's gonna run out in about a year, then I don't know what I'm gonna do. We've been working with a rehabilitation counselor trying to find something we can do for a living. My right hand barely works and I'm right handed, my left hand still works a little and I can barely walk. A curb is nearly an impossible obstacle. Kinda hard to find a way to make a living, all I've done all my life is warehousing and manufacturing. I was working as a saw operator when this all started. I'm also waiting to see what my boss'll do, I certainly can't go back to working power saws.
I'm hoping that the coming year will bring new possibilities and opportunities.

David, I worked shift work 24/7x365 for almost 30 years. I missed a bunch of family time. Granted I was well paid for what I did and it helped put a roof over our heads and fed us as well. Some health problems job related made me take stock of just how much time I was away from the family. So at the ripe old age of 50 I threw the towel in. Best darn decision I ever made, money was tight for some years and after a few things got settled it eased up some. I worked out side for most of my working career. Snow, rain, hot or cold the job went on. If you do not really need the job especially with a younger man over you quit. Yes I know its easy for me to say it but after retiring I didn't miss the birthday parties, graduations, and wedding. Frank

Tell him "I've been thinking I need more family time as it is. If you push me, it will make my decision real easy."

eta; wow. I really need to read all the way through before commenting. My wife's RSD has gotten better over the years. I hope yours starts improving some too.

What does the Wife say???
He cant force you to work more so let it ride, but do let him know you have a full time job . Heard a lot of guys say "I was lookin for work when I got here, I'll be lookin when I leave"

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UNDER THE CONE OF SILENCE

21 years of working more insane hours than any normal human would have put up with here.
If you really enjoy the work you are doing, then in a way, it can make it worth it. I worked for myself, and every day is a learning experience, with pleasing customers with the jobs I created in their homes well worth much of the sacrifice. It also paid the bills, so I stuck it out.
If the job is mediocre and does not inspire passion, and there is nothing to show for it once the job is done??? It's hard to justify doing it for any long term situation.
My advice is to think about fishing and hunting. Work enough to pay your bills, spend wisely, and then....... work enough to take your son fishing and hunting. With ANY extra time figured into this schedule??? Take your son fishing and hunting.
Like I said, if the extra work was soul satisfying, or the money so very good that you simply can not pass on it, then the choice is tougher. And, of course, when the truck dumps a transmission, or a tree falls into the house..... you gotta take the extra work. But that does not need to last forever.

I was a lockheed guard 35 years 1965 to 2000. Heavy OT was always available and I took it. I averaged 65 to 70 hours a week most of those years. Of the 35 years I worked 32 of them on graveyard. Many times I worked 3 months without a day off. We averaged about 10 holidays a year. Since they affectively paid triple time I dont think I missed working over 3 holidays in the 35 years. In 1985 just before christmass my Ex ran off with another married man. We had the worlds worst divorice. We only had been married a few years. Now I had to live at work to eat! I had to support her in the manner she had become accustomed to. I would work 12 to 16 hours at least 3 times a week plus no days off. Maybe every 3 months I would take a three day hyass to laughlin on a blowout gambling trip, loose and repeat the process.
I got a honest to God english nanney livein to be there so I could have visitation with my daughter who had just turned seven. The nanney died with cancer a week or two before christmass 1998 (at home with me). I retired two years later that january. The way things worked out, I wouldnt work that much again for anyone. Life bypassed me.

David,
28 years always working O.T and a second job.
Well got money, toys and a house that will be paid off
in March of 2013 ( 30 year paid in less than 15) Oh and at the cost of
1 marriage and 3 failed relationships. Not worth it!!!
choose right in LE part -time jobs come and go and I don't care what anyone says a good woman a friend is vey hard to find. You have a child they need you growing up. I wish I had it to do all over again.


Best

Pete