Went for a job and got offered a cleaner job instead I feel miserable.

[Aw4foxsake]

I applied for a job working checkouts and everything went well they asked me if I would be interested in a cleaning job and that I could sort of have a dual role where I could clean and do the tills but the starting pay would be less but it would allow me to have extra hours when I'm free.

Went to the contract signing and it's just the cleaning job that has zero chance of extra hours and I will not be put on checkouts.

I have to take this job as my hours have been radically cut from my previous job so I'm left with no choice right now.

I feel like this is a step backwards as for the last 2 years I've been working tills. Which was a step backwards from my previous job as a graphic designer.

To make it worse I feel like I'm being discriminated against because I have a child since they said " we feel like this job would provide better flexibility with your commitments"

My availability is during school 9-3pm and 5-10pm and weekends are fine. I also share custody with my son's father who works 3 weeks on and 3 weeks off so I have him when he is away working and he has him when he is home. So I can work any hours when my son is away. I can't find a job that is willing to work with my availability which I think is pretty reasonable.

I've been trying all of the shops but no one is willing to hire me. All of the office jobs in my area start at 8am and finish 5/6pm but I would have to pay for a childcare space that would go unused 1/2 the time.

I'm miserable and I will have a really really low income with no opportunity to even make more.

Am I just overreacting I've been crying ever since I signed the contract. I wanted to learn how to drive I will not make enough money to even learn it will cover the cost of our food without much left over. I feel like once people see I've been cleaning on my CV they will not hire me for anything more.

What do you think ?

Have you tried some of the large supermarkets and stores in town centre? I work for a store in the town centre and at this time of year our sixth formers for leaving for uni, so we're currently looking. Everyone is expected to do the same job no matter age or experience, so job vacancies are open to everyone. I know for a fact they'd be interested in someone who can do weekends and if you could some shifts in the day up until 2pm that'd go down well.

100%..

You are not overreacting, OP. That must have felt terrible. And I really do get when it feels like your on a constant slide down in terms of jobs. It's very demoralising. Try not to think of it as a reflection on you or your skills, just that there are loads of people looking for flexible work and, in reality, there isn't that much flexibility around. And yes, people do discriminate against women, single parents etc. Unfair and illegal, but an ongoing fact.

As others have suggested, can you pick up some freelance design work? I did this for a couple of years, before I needed to give it up for family reasons. It's nowhere near as well paid as an employed role, and clients who take on freelancers are even shittier than those that employ agencies, but at least you'd be able to complete the work in your own time rather than within a strict 9am-5pm work day.

I just read the can't drive part, sorry scanned the post which isn't great..

But, why didn't you learn to drive and prioritise that before having a child? Now, your prioritising your ex's job and taking a low paid job which won't lead to more money/promotion and flexible working hours (wfh/hybrid/remote).

You keep making bad decision after bad decision.

At least with graphic designer job, you'd have enough money to get driving lessons! Mind boggles, all this to save childcare when it's only for couple years (maternity leave 1 year) then they're at school.

Did your ex quit his job and start working in a supermarket?

Gosh, how fucking helpful.

I think anyone seeing your CV would see a hard working person earning honest money.

If people used their head rather than their heart, then they wouldn't be in this situation. Truth hurts.

I wouldn't facilitate someone and would rather be independent/stand on my own two feet before having a child.

Meanwhile, her ex is using his head (has a good job, can drive most likely and no childcare issues for 3 weeks on an end)..

How do they know you have a child? I've just been for jobs and haven't told anyone I have a baby.

If you need certain hours I'd just say "I need X hours to fit in with my commitments".

Obviously no employer should discriminate you for needing a job to fit in around childcare, but I feel not telling them will make sure you don't get discriminated against, which is what I feel they're doing here.

Can you pitch to do do graphic design work freelance? Presumably that would pay more than a cleaning/tills role and be more flexible.

Look for another job ASAP.
Who do they think they are to present someone with a contract for a different job from the agreed?

@anonymousxoxo Gosh you're a real ray of sunshine! The way you talk, you sound like a child but don't worry, life will teach you.

I say pay for the childcare. I know it's shit having to pay for days your son isn't there (because I also have to do this) but it will allow you much more opportunities with higher pay. My son sees his dad different days each week because of shifts and I need to pay for childcare on days he isn't there to keep his space but it's well worth it because I work in a job that is a career, that I love and pays well.

Yeah, prioritising myself makes me a child - thanks! :)

Men don't give up their jobs when they have children or work in a supermarket as a cleaner or on the till.
Men learn to drive and are confident with it.
Men narrowly avoid childcare duties like OP mentioned, whereas women do all the sacrificing.
Men get the promotions, career and financial stability with pension!! Meanwhile, OP is on minimum wage and looking at freelance contracts? Ok.
Men get to socialise with colleagues at work, attend events and have that outlet.
Men have the mortgages, whereas women are on rent.

I think it's sad, especially in a first world country but ok - I am a child.

I am the child because I prioritise myself, my career and financial stability.

Life won't teach me anything because I am "selfish". I don't want to sacrifice. Simple.

@anonymousxoxo You know you need money to learn to drive...? And then you need money to buy a car...? And then you need money to maintain said car...? I can see the money and the privilege oozing out of you words.
You need money to make money. Where there isn't money to start with, you need to start small and then grow.

That's outrageous @Aw4foxsake A similar thing happened to me about 12 or 13 years ago ... After 25 years + of being a qualified Secretary I found myself out of work after 10 years at the same place when they closed down...

I applied for several jobs including one at Tesco for 'receptionist/ telephonist/ secretary in the offices upstairs... I went for the interview and it was supposed to be 21 hours a week Tuesday Wednesday Thursday 9 till 4.30 with half hour lunch... I actually got told I would be expected to do every other Saturday and every other Sunday and also every Tuesday and Wednesday - and the hours would actually be midday until 7:00pm! They also said 'when it's a bit busy in the store, you can stack the shelves and go on to the checkout!'

But seriously - people would have come out of work and gone on strike for this kind of shit when I started work in the early 1980s!! Trying to get one person who's qualified at one particular thing, to do 2 or 3 other jobs as well. It was alien to me, and I'd been a qualified secretary for 25 or more years, and they were try to shove me on a checkout or stacking shelves!

I'm not a snob but there's no way I was doing this when I was a qualified secretary with 25 years experience... I said after an hour and a half at that interview and being shown around the store 'you have wasted my time... I don't want this job now as you've completely lied about what it was.' And I walked away...

In addition to this (around the same time,) I also went for an interview at a posh hotel in Staffordshire... It was advertised as bookings clerk/secretary ... A similar story ... I had a 45 minute interview - got shown around for half an hour, and was told my 24 hour week there, would consist of probably three or four hours checking people in, but will probably largely consist of waiting on people at the bar, and cleaning rooms ....

You seriously could not make it up... It was 100% advertised as secretary and bookings clerk ... YET, it looked like I was just going to cover for the main receptionist if she was on sick or on a break or something - and the other 90% of the time was going to be scrubbing floors, serving people meals, and changing filthy bed linen. LOL fuck that!

Got a job in the field I am trained and skilled in shortly after! But yeah, loads of places do this now, and it's a fucking cheek! Would NEVER have happened pre 21st century.

You do realise with a graphic designer job, you can earn really well and gain promotions and career. You don't need an expensive car, my car is a banger over 10 years old! I'm very happy with it. I don't see the need to get the latest plate, just A to B.

I don't drink or smoke, rarely eat take aways.. I prioritised learning to drive. I started on £25k entry level salary and built my experience up, knowledge and salary. People have to start somewhere.

Whereas with cleaner, it's minimum wage and hard to get promotions and make it into a career.

With Graphic Design you can work from home/hybrid/remote.

• "SalaryStarting salaries for junior graphic designers are in the region of £18,000 to £23,000. Once you've gained some experience, salaries can rise to £27,000.
• At a middle level, you can expect to earn £25,000 to £38,000.
• Salaries for senior graphic designers or creative leads range from £35,000 to £55,000. A creative director can make £60,000+.
• As a freelancer, you can earn between £200 and £400 a day with experience. You'll be able to charge more once you have an impressive track record and recommendations."

Taken from: Graphic designer job profile | Prospects.ac.uk

FWIW: I grew up poor and in a low income family but put myself through university, paid for my own driving lessons by working and then paid for my own car/insurance when I needed a car for work.. But I am privileged because I worked for it and put myself through university.

I would take the job it will look better on your CV than saying you were just waiting for something better to come along.

This is a good point. And maybe get work in nice places that you can enjoy looking at.

Is there any way you can get back into the graphic design or printing? Are there any printers near where you live, that even if you started in finishing or packing work they might have some overflow work you could do?
Sometimes it's better going around locally like that so that you can talk to people. I get that that is even difficult if you cannot drive.

Also I suspect your self esteem is quite low during this worrying time. If there was any sort of Job support organisation or a back to work Course in your area, I would look at doing that as well. Because you need emotional support as well as practical advice if you can get it.

If I saw your CV with cleaning on it I'd say 'Good on her. Good on her for trying to do something, given her childcare situation and everything else. What a trouper!'.
Being a lone parent is very very tough. Go easy on yourself.

I'd take the job and try and do the driving lessons.
Because learning to drive will increase you job options and also you'll feel good about doing something and learning something new.

If you had gone for a job as a graphic designer and been offered the job as a cleaner I think you would have grounds to moan, but you went for a job where the potential employer knew your availability was limited and they offered you more flexible hours to suit your availability. If you don’t want the job then turn it down. I am sure they won’t have problems filling it. Good luck finding a job that meets your needs.

@anonymousxoxo Let's agree to disagree.

Sure..

If I’ve read your op correctly you’re available between 9am and 10pm weekdays with a 2 hour break between 3-5pm. Who has your child at night? Would it not be easier to pay for after school club till 5pm and then you’re available for a full working day.

Take the job, you don't have to put it on your CV.

Where would we all be without cleaners, delivery drivers, shelf fillers etc....you know the amazing people that kept this country going in the pandemic.

And still do.Never look down on any job !

Freelance graphic design requires you to have the IT and software for the job - possibly even multiple sorts plus GD is generally Apple focussed all of which is alot of money to invest to go freelance.

Cleaner is a step down from checkout if its paid less which is what she has said. I would continue looking hard for something to top up. They are discriminating against you by saying "with your commitments" for having a child which is really naughty and a no no.

I do agree you can have more availability when you have your child but you need to sort childcare sometimes that cost is worth it in the long term e.g. you can work as a graphic designer full time in an office and continue your career with potential for better jobs in the future - where would cleaning leave you? What career progression is available?

I suspect they are struggling to find people to do cleaning roles and have "selected" you as someone that needs to work so will accept this discrimination of offering you a job that you didn't apply or interview for because of your "commitments"

My only other advice meant in the kindest possible way is stop being a wet lettuce and stand up for yourself. Both work and with ex - I hope he is paying maintenance as well?? I accept that normally 50/50 is maintenance free but it does sound like financially he is far better off especially if he is a rig worker etc. Would he be open to a chat about how you could go for a better job maybe his family helping a bit with childcare short term