Don’t Call Me Essential!
Unless you're willing to pay for the privilege.
Technically I’m not an “essential worker” at the moment. I joined the “great resignation” a few months back. However, I will likely be taking a temporary part-time position again in an essential sector soon.
I’ve discovered that part-time gig and service-sector work suits me fine. At least it does for now. The current labor shortage means I can tell the local grocery store I’ve applied to that I’m willing to work 1, 2, 3, or 4 days a week. They need workers and I have no interest in working more than needed to get by while I finish my master’s thesis and await other opportunities more consistent with both my values and my passions. If an employer won’t let me choose my hours, then I won’t work for them, period.
My “essential worker” interlude over the last few years was not planned. After an earlier career in the environmental non-profit sector and a few years working for a state party on behalf of the Democratic National Committee, my wife and I moved to Canada. That meant living as a temporary resident on a student visa followed by a work permit followed by another student visa when I decided to go for a master’s degree.
My age and temporary resident status made it difficult to find anything other than what has come to be referred to as…
