A Day in the Life of a Warehouse Worker
So, you're thinking about taking a job at a warehouse. Maybe you've been laid off from your office job and you're desperate for any work you can find. Or maybe you're young and looking for a physically demanding job that will pay you decent money without requiring a college degree. Whatever the reason, you're curious about what it's like to work in a warehouse. Well, curiosity never killed the cat or the warehouse worker, as the case may be. So let's take a look at what a day in the life of your average warehouse worker is like.
3:00 AM - The alarm clock goes off, and it's time to start another day. I drag myself out of bed and into my clothes, then head out to my car in the cold darkness. I drive for half an hour to get to the warehouse, which is located in an industrial park on the outskirts of town. I'm one of the lucky ones; some of my co-workers have to drive an hour or more just to get to work.
3:30 AM - I clock in and head to my station. My job is pretty simple; I spend all day stacking boxes onto pallets. It's mind-numbing work, but I'm thankful for the opportunity. Plus, the money is decent and my co-workers are friendly enough. We don't talk much; there's not much small talk that can be made when you're surrounded by towering stacks of cardboard boxes.
3:31 AM - One minute after I start my shift, I already need a bathroom break. I raise my hand to let my supervisor know, then walk quickly to the restroom before she can tell me no. There are no bathrooms inside the warehouses; we have to walk all the way across the parking lot to use them. In the winter, this isn't so bad; in the summer, it's torture.
4:00 AM - My stomach starts growling, so I reach into my pocket for my breakfast bar. I ate dinner early last night to get to bed early, but now I'm regretting it. I nibble on my breakfast bar as I continue stacking boxes; luckily, we're allowed to eat on our break later on.
7:00 AM - We're finally allowed to take our first break of the day. Ten whole minutes! I guzzle down some water from my water bottle (which I refilled before coming back onto the floor) and scarf down the rest of my breakfast bar. Then it's back to work until lunchtime, if we're lucky enough to get lunchtime today.
12:00 PM - For once, we actually get lunchtime today! I hurry through lunch so that I can have as much time outside as possible before it's time to go back inside and continue working.
5:00 PM - Finally, quitting time! My feet are killing me and my back is screaming in pain, but at least I don't have to come back tomorrow morning. I'm only working four days this week because they're short-staffed. That means I'll be able to sleep in tomorrow morning! Hallelujah!
So there you have it; that's what it's like to work in a warehouse! It's not glamorous, but it pays decently, and it's a good way to stay physically fit. Still interested in pursuing a career in warehousing? Then head on down to your local industrial park and see if they're hiring. Remember that once you start working there, those shiny new office jobs will look mighty tempting indeed!