What I miss about a normal day job…

I packed up my “day job” as a software developer back in early 2006. The level of future bookings at that stage indicated that it was time to go full-time time at wedding videography. I have never looked back since.

However, as I am now self-employed, there are a few things I miss about being a PAYE employee…

1) Genuine sick days

There are no such things as sick days anymore. If you are sick and have to shoot a wedding, then tough luck really. The wedding needs to be shot one way or another, so you have to pick yourself up out of bed and do it. I have been very luck and have not been sick, but I know one of these days I will have the mother of all colds and will still have to go out to work.

You can’t very well ring up a bride on the morning of the wedding and say, “sorry I am a bit under the weather, and won’t be in today”!

2) Non-genuine sick days

A friend of mine used to take “mental health” days from time to time. Basically, they are non-genuine sick days. Every now and then you are just not in the mood for work and “pull a sicky”. Again, in my line of work, not an option anymore.

There is nothing as enjoyable as sitting at home watching a DVD, pretending to be sick!! But how can you fell like you are getting away with pulling a Sicky when you are self employed!! No fun in that. The sense of danger is gone.

3) Work nights out

I miss going out with my job, drinking the bar dry, ordering drinks I didn’t even want and leaving them behind. Work nights out used to be great, whenever somebody left the job, Summer BBQs, XMas parties etc. They are all gone, but I am tempted to try to set up some social events among wedding suppliers.

4) General Bitching

General bitching by the water cooler used to be great, but alas no more. I have no water cooler, and worse still, nobody to bitch with.

However, despite these things that I miss about a normal day job, I don’t think I could ever go back into an office and have to beg a boss for time off. If I want to watch Judge Judy or Jeremy Kyle, I just will!! God, daytime TV sucks!!