I Quit My Job!

I have been working at a movie theater for the past 13 years. I started when my YD was still at home. I had been babysitting a friend's daughter and she had started school. We needed the money so I got a part time job there for nights and weekends. It worked for us because Hubby watched the kids. I didn't have to pay anyone and I didn't want a stranger watching my kids. When YD started school, I transitioned from nights to days. But I still had to work weekends and holidays. 

The movie theater is open 365 days a year. We have only been closed on 1 day since I started, Super Storm Sandy and that was because the state mandated it. We are open every holiday, every snow storm, everyday. When I took the job, I knew that. I signed paperwork saying I would work weekends and holidays, that I had a reliable car and could get there in any weather. 

13 years is a long time. I have seen many changes there over the years, some good, mostly bad. There are only 7 people in the theater that are full time anymore and they are managers. No one else is allowed to work full time any more. We have a different schedule every week. There is no way to make plans because you get your schedule Sunday for work that starts the next day. You can request a day off but it is not guaranteed. I have been denied days off and I have seen many others denied days off. If I buy tickets to a concert, I am going to that concert. I shouldn't have to beg another employee to take my shift because I didn't get off when I put my request in early. But it happens often.

I have vented about how rude some customers can get. It takes a toll on you. I have been called words that no one should be called. I'm sorry that you bought the tickets to the wrong day but that does not give you the right to scream like a crazy person. Unfortunately my company policy is that the customer is right so they can act like animals and most of my managers will still give them free passes. I have had popcorn thrown at me. I have seen people spit in kids faces. 16 year olds are kids and I don't care if they were on their phone or talking to a coworker. It is not OK to spit on a person. I have seen people throw their drinks on employees, hit a waitress and so many other things. 

On the other hand, we have some of the best customers who I will miss very much. I have gotten birthday cards, get well cards, Christmas cards, and chocolate for Valentine's Day. I have watched kids grow up and families lose a member. I saw a beautiful little girl and her family battle cancer and win. She lost a leg in her fight, but she is now a beautiful, healthy young lady. I will miss seeing her. 

Many of the employees that I worked with are in their teens or twenties. Most of them call me mom. I guess I mother where ever I go. I adore them and truly want what is best for them. I have seen several of my coworkers get married and some even had babies. I am like a proud mom when they enter the military, graduate high school and college or move on to full time jobs. They usually come back to visit me. Now I won't be there to see them. 

Hubby and I have been talking about me leaving the theater for over a year. A situation happened at work, not involving me. I saw how it was handled and I was very upset with it. Several people, including myself contacted our HR department. They came to investigate. They ended up believing the 2 managers involved and not the 20+ people that had contacted HR. I almost quit on the spot but one of my managers talked me out of it. The home office wants to look away when they deem it is a good employee at the expense of the rest of us. Policies over the years have changed and not for the better for employees. There was no potential for me to grow my career with certain key managers and higher ups. I was underpaid and under appreciated by management. Yet I was always the first one to be called when they needed something because I was reliable and a hard worker. 

I have Vertigo and I have been having health problems for the last 4 years because of it. The doctors are not sure what causes it but stress doesn't help. My job was stressing me out more and more lately. Hubby and I have been talking about it and we agreed it was time for me to leave. I put my notice in advance as to not screw anyone over. I had already committed to working Christmas Eve so I did. I wanted to say goodbye in person to all of the college kids that would be returning. I worked the week of Christmas and I was done. I have cried several times because I will miss them. 

Thankfully, Hubby and I got our finances in order several years ago. Our only debt is our mortgage. Hubby recently got a raise too. We are very frugal and we have a fully funded emergency fund. But I am a worrier so I still worry. YD will be starting college this fall. We have money saved but not enough for all 4 years. Hubby told me to take a break and try to figure out what I want to do. I'm 44 years old and I don't know what I want to be when I grow up. All I ever wanted to be was a mom and wife. I am lucky that I have been. I will be watching our expenses like a hawk to see where I can cut them. And I will try to figure out what I want do do in the next chapter of my life.