How Should I Address This Issue with My Employer?

Question

I'm currently in contract for a position as a camp counselor this summer. I've been working at this camp for 2 years, and this is my 9th overall year of attendance as a camper/counselor. I've also got a younger brother who is still a camper who my parents are paying full tuition for.

Here's my problem. I was originally supposed to be taking driver's ed this summer over the weekend. However, this fell through, and my only option if I want to be able to drive by the start of next school year is to take driver's ed in the early morning. This would entail being 30 minutes late to camp for 3 days a week for half the summer. (Camp is 7 hours long). I really, really want to drive, and I think its worth it to at least give the issue a shot with my employer.

I'm planning to set up an appointment to discuss the issue. I don't expect them to just let me do it; I recognize that some concession will be necessary on my part. Any suggestions on how to address this?

I think a salary decrease would probably be appropriate, but I don't know how to suggest that without hurting myself. A pro-rata deduction would be only $12 for the entire time (yes, that's how little they pay us...), so I'm not sure how to address that topic.

Answer 1

What the others said - discuss it with your boss. But one thought, as a boss, I always like it when staff come in with proactive solutions to issues like this. As in, is there a way it can be worked to the benefit of the company? In your case, are there "after camp" duties you could take on to complete your hours? If a daycamp, are there campers who need to be watched if their parents are late picking them up? Or clean-up tasks after the end of the day? Or prep for the next day? If a sleepover camp, is there a shift change that you could overlap with? Think of things like this.

Answer 2

As someone who has been in management for many years, I will give you this advice. If you are very upfront and honest from the start, in explaining what you are doing and how important it is to you, then there is no reason why they should make it a problem for you. I had employees that wanted to or needed to take classes for many different reasons, so we adjusted their schedules and I never did a dock in pay. There were some that just lost the hours, and some that would make it up later on by doing some side jobs. Let your employer know that you understand how important it is to be there on time, and you take that very seriously, but at the same time you do want to work out options that will allow you to work and still get your classes for your license at the same time.

Good luck.

Answer 3

Ok - somebody else just posted a random poem!! (Interesting.) If I were you I would discuss it with the camp staff just like you put it here - that is very reasonable, and if they're still not too keen on it you could maybe delay driver's ed so you can enjoy camp. Drivers ed will always be around, but camp is a memory you will only be able to make a few times in your life. Good luck and have a fun summer!

Answer 4

I would think your summer camp Parents would like the best trained staff they could get watching after there kids. Your boss should know this. Don't haggle one half hour training For something they offer to there costumers is something they should be happy about. Not something that is an infraction of policy's. Is there anyone there trained on first Aid?
Happy Caving Carroll

Answer 5

When my sky turns grey and the thunder starts to roll and it seems as if tomorrow will never come, I turn to you. The look in your eyes, the touch of your hands, the sound of your voice ... it's all I need to brighten my day and blow the rainy clouds away. You are my angel from above, sent to me ... why? I do not know, but what I do know is that I don't deserve it. when I look into your eyes, feel your gentle touch, it sends chills up my spine sending me into an ecstasy beyond explanation.

Baybee, you drive me wild with the way you move your body. The way you move your tongue sends my head spinning and the stars start to shine. Just the sound of your voice starts my heart pumping, so Baybee, you can only imagine what it's like when you kiss down my body, working your tongue the way you do. You make my body shiver in bliss, my breath is taken, I see the stars, Baybee, and it's all because of you.

It's amazing how you knock me off my feet; every time you get around me I get weak. You fulfill my every fantasy, Baybee. Its amazing how you don't even know how much you drive me wild.

Answer 6

i'd just explain things to the employer and hopefully s/he will be understanding. do you get paid by the day or by the hour? i myself never worked as a camp counselor. as an employer myself, i would understand your needs for this and look at it as a way to make sure you have a way to work which in turn would be more productive for me in the future.

Answer 7

Just ignore the freaky one. Yes I would take it up with your employer. Work the driving as a positive thing that will benefit you both.