Some of you might know that I am working in care. When I first started, I really enjoyed it. Now? Not so much!

Why? Oh I can tell you why:

Every few months employees get check-up phone calls from our office. They give us feedback and ask in return our point of view.

So I stated very clearly, that I don’t want to get sent to clients I can’t understand as this is really stressing me out and surely frustrating for clients as well.

So guess what??? I got sent to clients which are speech impaired.

They also admitted in a text message, that when I help them, they help me! How can they so freely admit, that they only help, if they want to?!

Last week I had to change my availability which means, I can’t work evenings anymore and have to finish at 4pm latest. I know when you work in care, one has to be flexible… But I have children in primary which I can’t leave alone.

However when I send my email, they did not even reply, instead drastically shortened my hours for the following week!

That is another thing:

When they are annoyed with you, they don’t answer your emails, instead they put whatever annoys them in our weekly newsletter (without shaming the actual person though)!

Then I got told, that one client has cancelled (that’s fine) and that I get send to client XY without even asking if that is ok (not fine) and when I ask, if they could check if they could forward the visit as between clients was a unpaid 1 1/2 hour gap, the short answer from whoever it was, was “Nope, sorry”. They could have forwarded it, as the client didn’t even expect me. The client thought, the visit was cancelled!

For everyone who considers a career in care, do your research! Carers are underpaid, gaps are also not paid unless you work directly for the council, you only get a low percentage of fuel back and you mostly work alone. I personally think, it is not worth it. If you just want some pocket money, perfect job. If you have to pay bills, run in the opposite direction!

I wished we would live in a world where childcare is free, bosses are understanding, working hours flexible and wages enough to make it through the month!

One can still dream, right???

So I am still on the look out for a new job, but Covid is also a a-hole, so not so easy at the moment.

Until the next time…

I work in care. Before I started my new job I heard everywhere “how rewarding” this job is. It was mentioned in the job description, in videos and on the job interview.

Come on, people! I am sorry, but this is just and sounds, so ridiculous! “Rewarding”.

Lets face the reality of this job:

When you have to wash clients and wipe their backside, change their stoma bags (for those of you who don’t know what this is: it is a bag glued to your front full of poop!), put cream on bits you rather would not touch and let them call you names, not to mention that some try to bite and hit you, THAT IS NOT “REWARDING”!

This is a fairly easy job. You help them through the day in every aspect, wether it is personal care, going shopping or spending time with them. If they need medication, you medicate them. The only thing you need to have is patience, compassion and a thick skin.

That is basically it!

People don’t do this job because it is rewarding, they do it because they get paid to do it!

And to those who do this job:

You don’t get paid enough, I don’t get paid enough. We are modern slaves! My bank account is permanently overdrawn. At least once per week I get to sit for up to two hours in my car (unpaid) to wait for my next client. Time between clients are not paid which means, I could be out for 10 hours but only get paid 7!

There are no better paid jobs at the moment, Covid is still residing in good old Scotland. . .

What can one do???

Franky