I loved the idea of free coffee when I was younger, so the day I turned 16 and was old enough to get a job, I applied at Starbucks. I’ve been working here ever since. My schedule was definitely more flimsy before secure scheduling. Once it went into effect, it was like: oh, I’m actually going to get the hours I asked for instead of settling for 10 hours less? That was really wonderful.
Being able to have the times and days I want off is great, too. Before secure scheduling, managers just kind of scheduled us for whatever felt right to them. But now, for example, I’m able to leave early every Friday so I have time to schedule appointments for things. I’m able to say, “This is what it says on my availability form, so you need to follow it.” It’s really nice to get the hours I want and the time off I want.
There’s a lot I do outside of work, so getting the time off that I need matters. I help out at nonprofit music venues and volunteer at local festivals. And I spend a lot of time taking care of people and helping friends out. I also want to go to school to become an ASL interpreter — my cousin is deaf, and I’m the only other person in my family besides her parents who knows sign language, so that’s very important to me. With secure scheduling, my hours are always between my preferred minimum and maximum, so I always get between 30 and 35 hours a week.
Getting the hours I need also means I can count on my paycheck. I always have enough money to buy groceries and still have money left over for myself. I tend to put one paycheck towards bills, and save whatever’s left. I’m never worried about having enough money to pay my bills.