Bye Bye Waste Management, hello Social Services. My original goal when I applied to Halton Region 7 years ago, was to start at an "entry level position" (Customer Service) and start applying immediately to Social and Community Services (S&SC) positions so that I could eventually become a Case Worker/Intake Worker. Little did I know that S&CS is a unionized department and the only way in is to be hired as a "relief" caseworker and work my up to Full-time permanent case worker.
The definition of "relief" (other than ROLAIDS) is to fill in for staff that are off sick or on mat. leave or on vacation so there is NO guarantee of hours, no benefits and no vacation. The pay is still good, ($3.00/hr more than what I was making)but a huge risk to leave a full-time perm position.
7 years ago, this option was financially impossible so I've had to bide my time in Customer Service and then Waste Management. Finally, postings starting coming up for Relief Worker we are now able to take the risk so as of April 18th, I quite my job in Waste (very sad day as I LOVE my co-workers and will miss them so much) and Apr. 21 I began training as a Social Service Worker - relief staff. Although I still work for Halton Region, I no longer have seniority or benefits, but I am able to keep my pension.
My new job has me in training for 6 weeks (yeah, I get paid for that) and then I sit at home eating bon bons waiting for the phone to ring. When I do get called in, my job could be many things, all based around people applying for Ontario Works or child Care Subsidy or Low Income Housing...and many other social services. Fortunately, summer vacation will be upon us soon and I am told that there will be no shortage of work for a very long time...they are hiring more relief workers as we speak. I will most likely have a contract (mat. leave or sick leave)very soon and will eventually apply for any permanent positions as they come up.
I am so incredibly stoked about this new job and I feel like I finally have a career for the first time, not just a job. You could see many more blogs from me, as I may have a lot more time on my hands, but I hope not! Any financial donations are greatly appreciated! lol!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
Good to see that your plan is working out. Its inspiring that you've been able to stick with it and make it happen. Good on ya!!!
You used to bring your adorable nieces and nephews to work to let them drive the huge machines.
Is it safe to say that you will bring them to your new job, and let them counsel people? I'd love to hear what Paige would suggest.
Congratulations! You been patient for a long time. Hope everything works out to your benefit and you get that full time position. Lots of love. M
Aw come one maannn! No more waste mgmt perks for us??? I suppose we could always benefit from child care subsidy ... there aren't any eligibility requirements for that, are there? Yah, some extra cash for child care would be great ... see what you can do Bren.
'Good on ya' is right. Hope this turns out to be exactly what you want it to be. Besides, you were having too much fun in WM.
~Jill
Post a Comment