Don't Get Mad, Get Overtime

When the whole world's been shattered/ And nothing else matters/Just remember/ That It's Only Overtime. I have more opportunities for overtime than I have for love. Is that depressing?

Bryan Adams songs aside, I took it back to 2001 today. I was closing out a long, successful position. The same old people were fooling around. Management would not let me stand around while others were allowed to manifest the Cardinal Sin of Sloth. If I had work to do and it happened to take longer than forty hours- there was value.

Men can justify anything to themselves. This is the first long standing job which I didn't turn into Training Day. Bending the rules justified my idleness as I had results to back it up. At least I didn't gamble with the Russian mob.

Today's work was fairly normal. As I was dismissed I checked the usual areas and helped the ones who need finishing touches. If I don't walk all over creation they will have to. As one supervisor asked me to run an errand I noticed how busy it was.

Heading to the area with a newer supervisor- he was doing the work of three people. Why dismiss employees when there is more to do? Trying to save a little on salaries- remember the position where I justified overtime years ago was a small business. They needed to cut corners.

I learned about budgeting and doing more with less on that job. When a billion dollar company has mid level managers run ragged the least I can do is lighten the load. Supply and demand.

Many days I am reminded of the Our Gang comedy where a five year old Spanky is given the responsibility of babysitting three year olds. "Remarkable". It's probably on You Tube and when management sends everyone home they are caught with their pants down.

It is no secret that managers receive a higher bonus if low hanging fruit is sent home early. It never caused them to work more efficiently so the work can be completed quickly. The upper class makes money off the new employees. I am the middle class. Chances are I make more money than the mid level supervisors.

Their wages are none of my business. As an hourly employee it makes no sense to leave cash on the table. Someone has to do the work. Even though I was none too pleased working an hour longer than expected; if the work were completed efficiently I could have left and they would have saved money. The work was finished and I lightened the load.