In it for the love of the game (The Working Week: Do We Work Too Many Hours?)

Member Name: welling1

Product:	The Working Week: Do We Work Too Many Hours?
Date:	18/05/09 (58 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good to meet people, coaching youngsters

Disadvantages: Low pay, varied funny times

Where do you work?
I work in a leisure centre and work as a gym instructor and head sports coach, as well as being a duty manager. I also undertake football coaching work.

What is your job title?
Duty manager, head sports coach.

What is your job description?
To ensure that myself and the rest of the staff are delivering a good standard of coaching, and to oversee the overall running of the centre when on duty manager duties.

How long have you been in your current job?
Just over four years I have been at the leisure centre, with a five month gap to go travelling. Have been coaching football now for seven years.

Are you happy at work?
It is a love and hate relationship - sometimes I really love it and other times I want to scream - this is mostly due to some off the staff, the customers are great and very loyal. Football coaching is a passion and I love teaching kids what I consider life skills it's very rewarding.

Is it the job for you?
It was but after travelling and speaking to the management of the leisure centre there are going to be no openings to take over as manager so I am definitely looking to move on in the future. I would love to do football coaching full time but the hours are not out there at present.

Who do you get on best with at your work?
The assistant manager and the customers!

Anyone you don't get on with?
Couple of staff members I would not mind seeing getting the boot.

Do you like your boss?
Yes my manager is a very open person and we can talk about all aspects of the job and she offers great advice.

How many days of your holidays have you used?
None so far this tax year.

How many sick days?
I have had four days in four years - one for an illness, two for an accident my wife had, and one for a gnat bite - can not go in to details as the ribbing from the staff is unbearable.

Genuine or faked?
Genuine

Do you get a yearly pay rise?
Yes not that you really notice it on the pay cheque.

Do you socialise with your colleagues?
Yes, at staff parties and special events, the assistant manager was best man at my wedding.

Are you qualified for your job?
Yes, I went to a sports college to gain my GNVQ and doing my coaching badge.

What age were you when you left school?
I left school at the age of 17.

Did you always want to do what your doing now?
I like been in the leisure industry but unless you are top of the ladder the pay is not really great. I am 23 now and really want to find a settled job. At present I am trying to get into the police as a PCSO so fingers crossed for that.

Are you the main earner in your household?
No, my wife works uptown and is earning very good money.

Are you a member of a union?
No.

How often do you get paid?
Every month, around the last Friday in that month.

Are you content with your salary?
No but who is nowadays.

How many hours do you work per week and what shifts?
I work 20 hours a week in the leisure centre but always do a few more and get various hours coaching.

Summary: In the job for love of sport not for the money that's in it!