Dear Agony Ant, I’m finding it difficult to speak up for myself, I'm being scheduled too much at work and it’s cutting into time for group projects, what do I do?
Dear Reader,
A good work/life balance is key for our wellbeing but being a student can often complicate this when part-times jobs and course content outweigh the down-time available. Putting your own needs first is essential but, especially when the fear of losing a job comes into play, it can be daunting. It’s a tale as old as time when employers schedule us for more hours than agreed upon, they seem to get more comfortable ignoring availability the longer you’ve worked there, don't they? Sometimes it can feel as though there is a power imbalance, like they have all the control because they have a badge inscribed with manager whilst students are left feeling intimidated amidst the competitive hiring pool and thus, reluctant to speak up for their needs. I think there is no better way to go about it than to be frank, the worry surrounding telling them ‘No’ upfront might seem like a lot but it’s nothing compared to the stress that could build by trying to fit extra shifts around university content and study groups. It might be beneficial to speak with those in your group project too: ask if they have other times they could meet or make sure the project workload is spread evenly to avoid any extra strain on your time. As difficult as it seems, ripping the band aid off is the only sure way to see some action, be polite yet firm and if they are any decent boss at all, they will understand, you’re only human and 'no' means no. Should it not go that smoothly, don’t be too shy to remind them of contracted hours or the availability discussed in your interview. At the end of the day, their job is to make sure that you can do your job well- if you’re not having enough time for university and to relax then your performance on shift could end up suffering. Above all though, be sure to maintain your well-being, remember that you-time is not selfish, it’s in fact necessary to excel in other areas. Go forth and be brave, you’ve got this!