That I have to endure.
Where I'm employed now is the first place I've ever worked that doesn't have direct-deposit payroll. From the time I entered the army in 1983 I've always had my pay directly deposited into either a credit union or checking account. It's so damn easy and convenient. Payday rolls around, bingo, one minute after midnight your money is in your account. No driving to the bank, standing in lines... Can write checks for shit and not have to worry about them bouncing...
But not where I work now. Not only do I have to go to the office to pick it up in person (which isn't a big deal since the office is literally 150 yards from my front door) but I can't get it until after 2 PM on payday Fridays and of course my bank branch doesn't have extended hours on Fridays like most places. This being the case, I have a very narrow window of time to do my banking.
But what makes this such a huge pain in the ass is the time I have to pick up my pay.
You guys who work normal hours are now saying to yourselves, "What's the big deal Tom? 2 PM seems like a reasonable time to get paid." Well, normally it would be a reasonable time, but I work nights. What the coal miners call the "Hoot Owl" shift and what we called on the PD "Last Out". I go to work at 10 PM and end my shift at 6 AM.
I'll give you an example. Go to work at your normal time. Get home, do your normal evening stuff, eat supper... Go to bed around 10 or 10:30 PM. Set your alarm for 1 AM, get out of bed, got to your place of employment get your check, go to the bank, go back home and then try to get a few more hours of sleep before you have to get back up for work in the morning.
You'd be pretty pissed, wouldn't you?
That's what most people don't understand about us folks who work overnight. Our body clocks are reversed. I don't want an omelet and coffee when I get home. I may want a damn beer and a cheeseburger, but do you think I can get either at 6 AM?
So yesterday I do my usual bi-weekly little half-awake trip to the bank, and guess what now? My pay check is dated for today, Saturday. What the fuck is up with that? The teller at the bank gives me a smarmy little face and tells me I can't cash it, I have to deposit it because it's dated the 29th not the 28th. Well no shit. I was depositing it in the first place nimrod, hence the deposit slip I handed you along with the check. She sees that but adds that the money won't be available now until after 2 PM Tuesday...
Great. Now I'm almost broke until next week, my rent is due and I dare not send the checks I've written against the money I still don't have...
It's a good thing I've stockpiled Ramen noodles...
What the fuck!
Copyright 2005 Thomas J Wolfenden
8 comments:
My boss won't allow us to have direct deposit either and it really pisses me off. I miss my direct deposit and early money.
It is high time you switch banks and look for the ones that extend their hours or have Saturday banking until 12.
Tina: Sure does... But I'm out of choices. Wish there was a credit union around here.
Linny: What is it with these bosses who live in the damn dark ages anyway? Direct deposit has been around for almost 30 years, you'd think they'd jump on board. It makes their life easier too...
Dreamz: Apparently you've never been to Athens, WV... There ain't a whole helluva lot of choices around these parts...
Sux. I do have an idea though. There are some banks, like for instance, the one where I bank, that will let you deposit directly into the ATM and the funds are credited immediately upon deposit. I bank at Regions. I think Bank of America does the same. Check around your area for one of those is my only thought. It has totally saved my ass SO many times.
Syd: Tried that already... My bank will only credit me $30 and the rest goes in the next business day... So I'm still fucked.
Randy: And pigs will fly.
I'd at least look for other banks. Mine can't be the only one with an atm deposit that works like that. Mine SAYS that they dont credit til the next business day too but in truth its credited immediately. You can see it on your deposit slip and if you bank online you can pull it up online.
Dude, I think you got your AMs and PMs mixed up in your example, but I got it anyway. No direct deposit? That is so old school.
Bev: I got the times right. Imagine you having to get up at 1 in the morning to go get your paycheck...
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