When Are You Going to Get a Real Job?

Have you ever let it slip that you do not consider your friend or relative's job as a bagger to be a "real" job? If so, you likely caused a lot of offense, even if you did not know it at the time. While it is true to say that many people who work as baggers do not intend to still be doing the same job in 5 or 10 years' time, that does not mean to say that they should be made to feel inadequate for working as a bagger. Consider the alternatives. Many people are unemployed and struggle to get by on government sponsored assistance pro grammes. Those who are working as baggers are actually earning a living, even if it is not $100k position with a full benefits package including a company car.

How Much Did You Make Today?

While baggers earn as they work on a day to day basis that does not give people the right to ask them how much they have made in tips that day. Would you ask a lawyer or a doctor how much they earn? It is not likely, as they would find it rude and intrusive. The same is true when talking to a bagger. Even if they do not earn as much as you do, there is no reason to highlight this fact by asking them how much they have made on any given day and then lecturing them on how they are wasting their time with their current job.

Check Out This Job Opening!

Many well meaning friends and family members are always on the lookout for an alternative job for those who work as baggers, even pointing out when there is a local opening that they feel would be the perfect fit. But many people who work as baggers are content to stick with their current job for the time being as it fits in well around their children's school hours, their spouse's work schedule and other important aspects of their lives that other jobs have not been able to do. Unless a bagger actually asks for help in finding another job, it is wise to keep quiet and not search for a job for them.

When speaking with a bagger about their job, do not automatically assume that they are dissatisfied with what they are doing and offer them a "way out" of their job. Remember that if they really hated their job and wanted a way out, they would take the initiative to look for another job.

Many employees are stuck in the rat race and they can see no way out. They have to beat the daily morning commute to work, face a stressful job and an employer whom they do not like. Add to that the fact that not all employees are able to ask for flexi-time whenever their child is sick or they have to visit the doctor and that can heighten a person's stress levels. But many people choose to work as baggers because they can take time off when they need to run errands, go to the dentist or attend an important function at their child's school. As baggers are not DeCA employees, they do not have to apply for time off from work months in advance and then hope that they get the time off that they want.

Paid Daily

One of the biggest incentives that baggers recognise is the opportunity to be paid on a daily, rather than a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis. Ready cash is useful for baggers who could do with the extra cash to do their family's shopping, pay for incidentals and other smaller expenses without having to delve too deeply into their bank account. Of course, "cash in hand" should not mean tax-free money for baggers. They should still keep good records of their earnings so that they can declare their earnings to the IRS.

Family Shopping

Another benefit that baggers can utilize while working at the commissary is the ease with which they can do their own shopping during breaks, before or after work. Working in a commissary gives baggers an insight into the price of items, when the latest manager's special is on or when the next case lot sale will be held. They can then take the time to either shop for a few items each day or do a larger shop towards the end of the week. This can save the whole family money in the long run and help conserve extra petrol costs as well.

These are just some of the reasons why some people choose to work as a bagger in their local commissary. It gives them the opportunity to make use of flexi-time, they are paid on a daily basis by customers and they can take care of the family shopping while they are at the commissary.