One thing I enjoy at my job is time. The timing is flexible which allows me to do other things because let's face it the standard of living currently is not something that an individual can rely on one source of income, talk more of a family person.
It also allows me the time to be a mom, which is vital to me.
The number 1 reason why I quit at both my formal jobs is because of how demanding of my time they were. I was practically living at my first job, and my daughter had to be with my mom.
I worked in the same city not even far from my house, but I wasn't allowed to see my daughter. She was just Two years old then.
That period, my daughter was always sick, and I was always spending money on medication. My mom would often say this child doesn't need medication but your presence, make out time for her.
I would rather not listen to my mom. But when my daughter's condition got worse, plus I was over stressed with the job and had reached my break point, that was when I resigned.
The moment I started living with my daughter again, she got better and that was bye bye medication.
At the second job I resigned from, I go to work by latest 8 am, and I'm leaving the office by 7pm. Not just that, but I'm also taking unfinished work home.
At a point, my daughter and I started having dinner at the office so when we get home it is just to bath and retire to our bed. The stress was not only telling on me but was also telling on my daughter.
Even the father started complaining she looked emaciated. On top of all this, she was behind academically as I couldn't be there to guide her on her home-school connection (Assignment).
I was struggling, she was struggling as she had her assignment always undone.
It was when her class teacher reported me to the school authority for negligence I knew I had to stop giving so much time to my job and pay more attention to my daughter, not even myself.
The moment I started assisting her with her Assignment, I saw the positive result on her academic performance. Then, I knew the job had to go, and so I resigned.
Going forward, given my experience at both my former jobs, I planned better when going Job hunting.
I made sure the first question I ask the interviewers are the working conditions and how flexible is the time. These questions will give me informed knowledge on how to bargain the salary.
One thing with employment in my country Nigeria especially with private employers is that they want the best from you even at the expense of your life and not want to pay you adequately for it.
You work overtime and not get paid for it in most private companies. After my first working experience, I prioritize time and if you won't pay me adequately for my time, I should be allowed a flexible working hour where I get to have other means of earnings by the side.
Anything short, I'd simply decline the offer for provisional employment.
ALL IMAGES ARE MINE