Spring Break: No School, But How Much of a Break From Work?
Amy Tarrillion
Issue date: 2/23/06 Section: UNCW Life
It's almost that time of the year again where UNCW students pack up their bags and hightail it out of Wilmington for a week of fun and relaxation, at some destination or another. Wait, not quite all students. For those who have to adhere to a work schedule that exists outside the realm of a university time table, spring break means work and often times, more work to make up for the loss of others. How are working students and employers working around the spring break schedule, and do working students ever get a break?
For those employed by the university, spring break is no problem; university services shut down around the school break schedule. However, for many students, their employer does not operate on the university schedule and they are required to work the same schedule and hours they would regardless of any break in the university's school schedule.
"I was one of the last ones to get my request-off in for spring break, so unfortunately I'm stuck here working," said sophomore and Applebee's waitress Meghan Small. "Plus everyone else is leaving, so that means I'm stuck working extra hours."
Merissa Becker, General Manager of Applebee's, confirms this policy. "We do our spring break request-offs on a first come, first serve basis. Also, those who have worked here the longest have seniority."
Many students are using spring break as an opportunity to make more money for the hours they can't work during school, rather than using the extra time to take a vacation. Junior Amy Thomas is returning home for the week of spring break and working at her high school job at Sonic to work the extra hours spring break allows her.
"Unfortunately, I will be back in the fast-food world for a week, but at least I'll save some money while making some by living at home for a while."
For those employed by the university, spring break is no problem; university services shut down around the school break schedule. However, for many students, their employer does not operate on the university schedule and they are required to work the same schedule and hours they would regardless of any break in the university's school schedule.
"I was one of the last ones to get my request-off in for spring break, so unfortunately I'm stuck here working," said sophomore and Applebee's waitress Meghan Small. "Plus everyone else is leaving, so that means I'm stuck working extra hours."
Merissa Becker, General Manager of Applebee's, confirms this policy. "We do our spring break request-offs on a first come, first serve basis. Also, those who have worked here the longest have seniority."
Many students are using spring break as an opportunity to make more money for the hours they can't work during school, rather than using the extra time to take a vacation. Junior Amy Thomas is returning home for the week of spring break and working at her high school job at Sonic to work the extra hours spring break allows her.
"Unfortunately, I will be back in the fast-food world for a week, but at least I'll save some money while making some by living at home for a while."