where are you off to this long weekend ??

Gerty Dancer · Guru

RE: where are you off to this long weekend ??

Oma · Guru

Looking after (not that 11 & 12 year olds require much) 2 granddaughters while daughter, son-in-law & grandson go to watch the Bulldogs. We are in Bellata on present trip.,

Happywanderer · The Master

Gerty Dancer wrote:
There was a public holiday in Queenland on 7th May this year that we didnt know about until we went to the shops and found them closed. Being southerners who's shops are open anyway on public holidays we werent happy! Had to stay an extra day at a caravan park we didnt like, just to wait till business to begin again.

I find that too Gerty, so used to shops being open 7 days a week. Only close 2 days down in Vic. Xmas Day and Good Friday

Still trying to get used to it up here.

Beth54 · Guru

7th of May was Labour Day and I too don't know why shops were closed.

But as a former retail worker, I don't believe shops should be open all the time. I regularly get on my soapbox about this to southeners, so please forgive me if I do so again.

Think about the staff who man those shops. They often miss out on family time. A lot of youngsters play sport on Saturdays, Mum misses out on watching them because she's been rostered to work, or they have to grovel to get a Saturday off for a wedding. When the shops opened all weekend, there was a collective groan from the staff, and a lot of bosses rubbing their hands together in glee.

End of rant.

Rip and Rosie · Guru

Beth54 wrote:
............
But as a former retail worker, I don't believe shops should be open all the time. .....................Think about the staff who man those shops. They often miss out on family time. A lot of youngsters play sport on Saturdays, Mum misses out on watching them because she's been rostered to work, or they have to grovel to get a Saturday off for a wedding. ...............
End of rant.

I was a nurse and midwife, and we worked a 7 day 24 hour roster. Night duty every 4 to 6 weeks. Try that for upsetting your social life!

When I did my training, night duty was 6 to 8 weeks straight- you could miss a whole summer! I saw young brides return from their honeymoon to night duty.

I reckon the best job for family time is teaching- work school hours, (which by the way is NOT an 8 hour day), every public holiday off, every weekend off, 3 months a year holidays.

Gerty Dancer · Guru

As an ex- Aged Care worker, we also worked a mixed roster over 24/7, and we got paid about the same as supermarket check out operators. I was glad to be rostered on for a Sunday shift as I got extra penalty rates.
Here when shops are open on weekends, they seem to be mainly staffed by students instead of the more mature weekday workers.

Happywanderer · The Master

Being open 7 days for retail gives the young ones, students, uni as well, a chance to get work. It is quite beneficial as they are in school during the week, so can only work after school or weekends. That gives the mums the weekends off, works well down south.

Beth54 · Guru

Ah but you have chosen to become a nurse. My niece is a nurse so I know what hours they put in.

The majority of retail staff, other than management, don't choose to work in retail. Many of us have taken it on because that's all we can get. Yes, they do use students alot, Uni students are great, not so much high schoolers, but it has been proven that seniors are more reliable, and many retailers prefer to have seniors for that reason. I have 2 friends who work at Myer, and one has every 2nd or 3rd weekend off, and the other has none. She has to have an extrememly good reason to take a Saturday off.

There is a Foodworks down the road from me which is open 24/7 except Xmas Day, and I do see the need for some supermarkets to open for longer hours for the shift workers.

Beth54 · Guru

Okay, I've put myself in the naughty corner for spending too much time on my soapbox. ashamed

KFT · Guru

I am staying inside as much as possible until we get some rain (hopefully tomorrow) to settle the bluddy pollen down. worst I have ever had hay fever. I should be getting the rig ready for a trip to Vic to have another look at the Great Ocean Road but it will have to wait until this settles down.

frank

reglynn · Guru

Hi Rocylizard, Qld has a holiday on monday, we are taking our time and visiting on our way to Bathurst for the races and yes you are right it is the next weekend, smile

Dunmowin · Guru

Spending the weekend in Mount Gambier, visiting Umpherston Sinkhole, Blue Lakes amongst other things. Heading off towards Robe and Kingston SE tomorrow