Workplace Jokes and Everyday Experiences
An original We TV Community publication
CHAPTER 1
THE LIFE OF A SUPPORT WORKER
The Quiet Shift
Every support worker dreams of having a quiet shift.
The trouble begins when someone says, “It’s looking very quiet today.”
Within five minutes, the phone rings, the roster changes, the washing machine stops and three different things need attention.
A quiet shift is apparently a mythical creature. Everyone has heard about it, but nobody has actually seen one!
The Extra Shift
The coordinator calls and asks, “Can you pick up an extra shift?”
The worker looks at the calendar, looks at the family, looks at the bank account and finally looks at the ceiling.
The bank account says yes. The body says no. The coordinator is still waiting!
The Support Worker Superpower
A support worker can prepare breakfast, organise activities, assist with daily routines, communicate with colleagues and complete documentation.
All before the first coffee has properly kicked in.
If superheroes wore uniforms, support workers would probably have their own comic book.
The Meaning of Flexibility
Being flexible is an important quality in support work.
You can begin the day with a carefully organised plan and finish with a completely different one.
Sometimes the only thing that stays the same is your name on the roster!
The Long Day
Someone asks a support worker, “How was your day?”
The worker replies, “It was good.”
They leave out the phone calls, unexpected changes, paperwork, interruptions and the fact that lunch happened approximately three hours later than planned.
Some stories are simply too long for a two-minute conversation.
The Missing Pen
Every support worker starts a shift with at least two pens.
By the end of the shift, both have disappeared.
Nobody knows where they went.
Perhaps there is a secret pen society somewhere in the workplace!
The Weekend Surprise
A friend asks, “What are you doing this weekend?”
The support worker says, “Working.”
The friend asks, “What about next weekend?”
“Hopefully sleeping!”
The Professional Smile
A support worker can be exhausted, hungry and desperately waiting for a break.
But when someone asks, “How are you going?”
The automatic answer is, “Good, thanks!”
Somewhere behind that smile is a very long story.
The Morning Person
Some people wake up full of energy.
Others need breakfast, coffee and at least three reminders that it is actually morning.
Support workers learn to recognise both types very quickly.
The End of Shift
The clock finally reaches the end of the shift.
The worker packs their belongings, checks the handover and prepares to leave.
Then someone asks, “Before you go, can you just…”
Those words have been responsible for many late departures!
