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Home > I work at Burger King.

I work at Burger King.

October 29th, 2008 at 11:46 pm

I am a professional. I make $56,000 a year at my full-time job. I put on a suit, do my hair and go off to my pretty well-respected career in a highly trained skill.

In order to get out of debt (at this point we're trying to even just get current on bills. We've had a LOT of bad luck lately) I needed a part-time job so that we even had a chance of surviving. My husband can't work because of health issues, and he doesn't get any assistance, so it's all on me.

I looked for other part-time jobs. I put in a lot of applications. Everyone said I was overqualified. Then I figured "geeze, why I don't I work in fast food?" I put in application in at BK, much like I did 10 years ago when I was sixteen. Being that I was willing to work crummy hours, they hired me.

So yes, I work at Burger King. It's a block from my house so I don't have to drive. I work 40 hours a week at my full-time job and I work 20 hours at BK. I also am fostering a mama dog and her litter of six puppies that were dumped at the side of the road somewhere (those costs are paid by the rescue, they cost us nothing but time... the puppy kisses and the look in the mama dog's eyes saying 'thanks for saving us' is worth everything.) I also take care of the house when the husband is having one of his episodes, which is frequent. All that medical care adds up fast.

Sometimes people come into Burger King that I know, whether it be through work, family, friends. They act embarrassed for me, as if I somehow should be ashamed that I'm wiping down tables and mopping floors and saying "would you like fries with that?" for measly pay. Funny, I'm more ashamed that we can't pay the bills.

19 Responses to “I work at Burger King.”

  1. Snoopycool Says:
    1225324299

    I hear you! I am seriously thinking about a pt job somewhere like BK. Not being able to pay the bills (when you can do something about it) is waaaaaay more shameful than working anywhere (legal).

  2. NJDebbie Says:
    1225324794

    Keep your head up, no shame on what you're doing. I admire your spirit. I'll pray that your situation changes someday! Smile

  3. monkeymama Says:
    1225326464

    I'm curious - were you completely honest on your resume for BK?

    My husband has looked for PT jobs/seasonal jobs in the past and REALLY hit a brick wall. The kinds of jobs we scooped up as college kids are suddenly slammed doors in the faces for college grads.

    I told my spouse I'd take the degree off the resume next round. Honestly. (Though we weren't sure if it was that or his lack of working for about 5 years - both seemed to work against him). So I Was just curious. My dh actually has a lot of experience in the area of fast food. I'll have to keep that one in mind.

    Last round he got so disillusioned by the responses from retail that I don't think he applied for any fast food jobs. Just figuring it would be the same.

    If you don't want to answer publicly - e-mail me back. Curious if you also told them you had another job? (BIG no no for retail. so maybe fast food is another animal).

  4. nomorecredit Says:
    1225327310

    I was completely honest, basically said times are hard and I'm just trying to get by, but made it clear I wasn't going to work there like a month and quit, that I needed something to get by FOR A WHILE. I basically went in there and threw myself down on the mercy of Burger King, LOL. They said a lot of people like me come in, apply, work one day and then decide it's not worth the tiny pay. When they saw I really REALLY was serious about it they said okay. I do work crummy hours, two ten-hour shifts on the weekends starting in the wee hours of the morning. I basically told them I would do anything, wouldn't pretend to be some big-shot fancy pants and that they would never hear a single complaint out of me. I did work at BK when I was a teenager, don't know if that helped my case at all.

    Truth be told, it's actually a little fun : ) Reminds me of working there when I was 16, LOL.

  5. thriftorama Says:
    1225328087

    I really respect you and what you are doing.

  6. Broken Arrow Says:
    1225329383

    That is pretty wild. I wouldn't be ashamed if I saw you there. If anything, it'd make me respect you more.

  7. swimgirl Says:
    1225331929

    I have heard that Starbuck's is a great place for part time work, too. And I have always thought that working someplace like Target could be great if you could get an employee discount! Think of it-- discounted clothing, food, cleaning supplies, gifts, shampoo, dog food, etc.

    Good for you! Pay the bills! And hurray for the dogs!

  8. Susan Says:
    1225333467

    There is no shame in whatyou are doing. You are being proactive and that is a wonderful thing. I currently live in a small rural town-not many jobs to be had- i know 3 professional, college-educated people who are working at a fast food place here in town along with their "regular" jobs. One of them actually had to tell the manager to reduce his hours because he had a FT job ( he was scheduled for 40 plus per week). Several years ago, I worked at Subway for 9 months while I paid off some debt. I was upfront with the owner about why i needed the job and for about how long- honesty really is th ebest policy.

  9. ME2 Says:
    1225335062



    I think it is a very sad commentary on society today when a person is willing to work a 2nd job in order to pay bills and is looked upon with pity and/or embarassment. Yet people who don't / won't work a 2nd job and fall on the mercy of the federal government aren't necessairly looked upon in the same fashion.

  10. Petunia Says:
    1225338221

    Good for you, for rolling up your sleeves and getting it done. I just went back and read your archives. Wow, you've been through a lot! But you've also been resourceful, proactive and determined. I admire your grit.

  11. reginaastralis Says:
    1225341275

    If it came to having food on my table for my daughter, I would work anywhere.

    I am currently considering a part time job, but I just honestly don't want to. The fact that you are out taking care of your family is all that matters in my book, honestly.

  12. nomorecredit Says:
    1225370091

    "I think it is a very sad commentary on society today when a person is willing to work a 2nd job in order to pay bills and is looked upon with pity and/or embarassment. Yet people who don't / won't work a 2nd job and fall on the mercy of the federal government aren't necessairly looked upon in the same fashion."

    This is exactly what I think. I mean, I feel like people should be saying "good for you!" instead of acting like they don't recognize me. : /

    The people most put off by it seem to be my family, I hate to say. I know my dad has old-fashioned values and believes that it should be my husband taking care of me. Well yeah, when we both were working it was easy for us to take care of each other. People don't always think maybe at such a young age (28) that one of them won't be able to work and it might all fall on someone else's shoulders. I had to tell them that it wasn't a matter of CHOICE, that I NEEDED this.

    And I always was taught that any job worth doing is worth doing well. I put the same work ethic into those 20 hours as I do into those 40 hours.

    (and if anybody is wondering why I have an internet connection, our very nice and awesome guy who lives in the other half gave us his wireless internet connection password so we can use it all the time and we made a deal that he would get to park in the driveway. It's worth the sacrifice of me parking in the street, LOL)

    Thanks for the comments everyone. : )

  13. mbkonef Says:
    1225371862

    I respect you for doing what needs to be done for your family. I wonder how many of those people that see you working and are "embarrassed" are deep in debt or struggling themselves? Hold your head high knowing you are doing what you need to do. Why in the world should that be "embarrassing"?

  14. Ima saver Says:
    1225376213

    When I first moved here to the mountains of Georgia, the only job I could get was working at McDonald's for $3.15 an hour. I wasn't ashamed of it at all. I only left because I got a job working for $2.01 an hour as a waitress, but I also got tips, so I made a little bit more. I made sure that I always saved at least 10% of all I made and now I am considered a wealthy person.

  15. anonymous Says:
    1225377010

    Well, I think you are doing a good thing. I wish my friend who is unemployed for a year would do that. Instead she is living off her retirement savings and she is not that far from retirement age! She will not consider anything that she perceives as being below her. She actually is poisoning our friendship by showing me that she thinks people with low paid jobs are beneath her. I would take a job like that in an instant, and I feel like her unwillingness to do so is also commentary on what she would think of me. I am that person who would work at BK, so she must despise me, too. She seems to really need my emotional support right now, yet she is undermining our friendship by telling me who she holds beneath her. I would rather be YOUR friend, Nomorecredit. Heck yeah, it is an upside down world when people are embarrassed to see you just getting the job done. You've got more dignity and have your head screwed on better than they do. What is wrong with people?

  16. Jane Says:
    1225385519

    Ditto to what everybody else said- a job is a job, there is no shame in honest work! I also know a lot of people who look down on those types of jobs and I wonder if it has to do with how you are raised. Both my parents are professionals, but growing up my mom always made a point to tell me and my sister that she would work at McDonald's in a heartbeat if that's what it took to support the family, and that it's taking care of your responsibilities that counts. In contrast, when I came to college I met a lot of people who have NEVER had a real job of any kind, and they tend to be the ones with attitude towards restaurant workers, housekeeping staff, etc. It's hard to understand, and I'm glad you're not letting those people get to you!

  17. monkeymama Says:
    1225394981

    Thanks for the input. Maybe it was more your attitude than anything that got you the job.

  18. Russell Says:
    1225413864

    Two words: you rule!

    With so much happening in your life you're facing life like a tough soldier. Remember, what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. One day you'll look back and tell your kids or grandkids your story and I guarantee that they'll be as proud of you as we are.

  19. rana Says:
    1234137175

    Hello, I am very proud of you. If the doctors that your husband is seeing aren't really helping him then I would seek other opinions from other doctors.
    As far as working a 2nd job at Burger King way to go. I was almost in this cituation myself. Still thinking about getting a part time job.
    I hope that your husband gets back on his feet and all goes well maybe he could try to get a job on the internet if that is possible to just help out. Do not be ashamed the people that feel ashamed for you are only ashamed of themselves for not thinking to take on an extra job to survive.

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