Keep feeling guilty!

[TessieD32000]

Hello! I'm very new to the industry and finished my cert 3 a couple of months ago. Just before I finished I was hired as a part of a casual pool at a local centre. It's a nice centre and I'm enjoying it, I've been there about 2 months now and average about 2 shifts a week. Some weeks I am rostered on once or twice but most of the time I get a call in the morning around 6.45am to see if I can come in.

I would say my hit rate for that is 50/50 and I can't seem to shake feeling guilty and then worried they'll stop asking! Do managers get annoyed if you don't accept the late notice shift?

For eg this week they rang me on Tuesday at 7.20 and asked if I can get in at 8.30 and I said yes and did. But today they rang and I felt very run down from this week (non related) so I did say no. Now I"m back to feeling guilty!

Do the managers even know if you've said no? (I get a call from whoever is opening).

I really like the centre but I also work for myself so I told them beginning 1-3 shifts is kinda my max. My manager usually asks me at the beginning of the week what my availability is and I tell her, but sometimes that changes throughout the rest of the week.

I've heard of people working for two centres so I'm sure they must be saying no sometimes too but I am a real people pleaser. Please let me know if managers care or not!

[Lorina]

Hi!

Welcome to the sector and welcome to the forum!

Honestly, it sounds like you’re doing really well for someone new to being a casual pool and the feelings you’re having are super common. Managers know that casuals are there to help cover gaps, but they also expect that not everyone can drop everything at 7am.

Saying “no” sometimes doesn’t make you unreliable, it just shows you’re human and have boundaries. The person opening usually notes who’s available, but one or two declines won’t make your manager stop calling, especially since you’ve already been clear that 1–3 shifts a week is your max.

It's common for other casuals juggle multiple centres or study, so they say no too, it’s part of the job. If you want to ease the guilt, you can always add a quick line like, “I’m not free today but I can do tomorrow if needed,” which shows you’re keen without overcommitting.

Let me know if you have any further questions about anything! I am always available to support you when needed.

,
Lorina