Lemme tell you a little about this new job of mine…
The biggest draw for me was the flexibility. I don’t just mean the fact that it’s a hybrid position (though that’s great, too); TobacCo is real big on work/life balance, so they operate on core hours — certain times where everybody needs to be working. These are:
- Mon. – Thurs.: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Fri.: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
That’s 27 mandatory hours. You can get to 40 hours for the week however you like. If you want to work longer days, take shorter lunches, eat lunch at your desk while working, you’re free to do so. A lot of people do this to bank hours so they can leave early on Friday. Umm, me included. Duh! Also, because of those core hours, unless I arrive at 9:01, I won’t be late. I’m an early riser and have made it to the office every day this week by 8:00, so that is never going to be an issue for me. It’s just nice to have that freedom and not have to worry about racing to beat the clock. If I want to sleep in one morning, roll in later, and skip a lunch, I can still leave at 5:00.
Guys, this is revolutionary. I have never worked for a company with such schedule flexibility. It’s a huge perk. Tara and I are planning a weekend getaway for our anniversary toward the end of the month, and I’ll be able to leave at noon for the three-hour drive up north. There will be many instances where this comes in handy.
And, it’s not like I took a step down or anything. The salary is the highest I’ve ever earned in my working career. The work is interesting and varied. My coworkers and boss are all super chill. I don’t know how many times a person can hit the jackpot when it comes to jobs, but it seems like everything keeps coming up triple 7s for this Madtown Migrant.
Tuesday was my first day, and the CEO and Director of Marketing took me and another new person who started that day out to lunch in downtown Janesville. That was a nice, warm welcome. I know I’ve bagged on the town a bit — I learned yesterday that the locals refer to Janesville as “Chainsville” because it’s like one giant strip mall driving into town — but Wednesday, I discovered the very charming town square, a three-minute drive from the office. Parked my car, ate my sandwich on a bench overlooking the Rock River, and strolled around for a bit. The weather was absolutely gorgeous, which made for an ideal lunch half-hour (see above: banking time).
Granted, I probably won’t be sitting in the town square eating lunch come January, but right now? I love it.
What I don’t love? The way everybody around here loves the Green Bay Packers. It’s an obsession (which, of course, I knew coming in). I’ve already let everybody know I’m a Broncos fan, and nobody has given me much grief for that. The real sin around here is to be a Bears fan. That Chicago-Green Bay rivalry ain’t no joke.
Because this is Packers country, you see their colors everywhere. Even on the garbage cans, as I discovered this morning.
OK, so maybe on that spin, it’s 7-7-6.
Mark My Words 
That workplace environment sounds wonderful, and I think a solid work-life balance can definitely be attained there. Beautiful day for pictures and getting the lay of the land. They hype the rivalry of the Bears and the Packers in the media all the time, but indeed it sounds like it is the real deal in Wisconsin. Good to hear your Broncos fandom can be retained without incident. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
If you’ve ever seen the comedian Charlie Berens, a Wisconsin native and huge Packers fan, you’ll know one of his taglines is “Watch out for deer and f**k the Bears.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
That schedule is amazing and empowering to employees! I used to like the Packers and tolerated the Broncos. Now I hate both for different reasons. At least the Packers are a community owned team versus being owned by a rich person. I have a cheese hat I bought in Sheboygan if you want me to ship it to you. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll pass on the cheese hat, ha. I don’t mind the Packers, at least. I’ve always kind of liked them. Now, if everybody here were a Raiders fan, we’d have a REAL problem.
LikeLike
You chose well Mark. Any place that welcomes pearl wearing flamingos with sunglasses has to be top notch!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Told you they were big on flamingos here!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is so awesome, Mark! Love your tally of the spin at the end. Made me chuckle. But mostly made me so happy for your move!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Wynne. I know we’ve only been here a little over a week, but so far, everything’s falling into place nicely!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It seems fantastic. So I, of course, am waiting for the other shoe to drop.
But it’s all been solid sunshine for you since I’ve been reading your blog!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Tara sometimes says the same thing. But she’s been saying it for as long as we’ve been together, so I’m not too concerned.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You truly are blessed when it comes to employment. I honestly can’t think of anyone else who has loved their job so often. And really, how bad can Janesville be when there’s a giant pink flamingo?
Lastly…speaking as a person who doesn’t really like football but when forced always picks the team who worships cheese? Go Pack!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Downtown Janesville is great! Everything leading into downtown? Not so much.
You know, if you just pretended to like ranch dressing, you might fit right in out here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
As long as I don’t have to eat it, or be in close enough proximity to smell it? I could do that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That sounds like an excellent work/life balance! Long weekends are a must in Wisconsin. There are so many beautiful destinations to visit up there.
The good news about living among Packers fans is that on Sundays, grocery stores/Target/restaurants without cable TV will all be deserted. Plan your fall and winter schedule around that. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, that flexible schedule will come in handy for our anniversary weekend soon. I can’t wait to explore ALL THE THINGS here.
Good idea on the Sunday shopping. As long as the Broncos aren’t playing at the same time, of course!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was already thinking about trying this myself here in MI. At the same time, I’m thinking about calling my devil child daughter whose boyfriend is also into sports. I want to find out if one or both is going to watch the MSU game this afternoon and/or the USC game tonight. Lucky me, I will probably catch at least a bit of both!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I thought of you on Tuesday and wondered how it was going. Very well, I’d say. Have you been to the Green Bay Packers Museum yet? As I recall it was hometown pride of steroids, but interesting in its own way.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aww, thanks. Very well indeed! Nope, I have not been to the museum. Never even knew it existed, actually. Guess we’ve got a LOT of exploring to do!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice on the schedule, my job has been like that since 2009, although recently my department hired more people to stock a complete second shift so the flexibility is no longer a viable option unless you come in early or make up time on a Saturday (although day shift core hours are 6:30 to 3). Kinda hoping they don’t consider a third shift. The town looks quaint, I would dig it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wish more employers emphasized this type of work/life balance. As long as the work gets done, who cares WHEN it gets done, you know?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yeah, I grew up immersed in that obsession (and much closer to Green Bay itself). It’s craaaaaazy. I survived it as a football hater, but was probably given a pass because I was a minor. Got out at 18. Not sure they’d let me back in. They let you in, but you aren’t anti-football. I’m not sure what it’s like down in Janesville, but closer to Lambeau Field, fandom is nuts. Here’s a taste:
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s pretty nuts even down here, where we’re close to the Illinois border!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I believe it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s great! The chill coworkers are probably the most important thing. And don’t think I didn’t notice the flamingo!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’d be disappointed if you DIDN’T notice the flamingo!
LikeLike
I know you would’ve been. I made a point to comment so as not to ruin your day. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very kind of you. First the tattoos, then the oranges…and now this. I am humbled to call you a blogging buddy.
LikeLike
LOL. I have the same colored recycle bins. 😳
I LOVE LOVE LOVE that your hours are so flexible. That is a big win.
We lived in the Dallas area for about three years. Talk about crazy fans! I remember going to the grocery store on Sundays, and they played the Dallas Cowboys games over the loudspeaker…in Albertsons!
LikeLiked by 1 person
…and I thought Packers fans were the most rabid. The Cowboys might just give them a run for their money!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I may have mentioned somewhere along the way how enlightening I have found the experiences of living in different parts of the country to be. Like most things, there are good and bad but unique aspects of living just about anywhere other than where you were born/raised. The trick is in finding and spending time with the things, people, and places you like while minimizing the opposite. As Yakov Smirnoff famously said “America, what a country!”
LikeLiked by 1 person
I sometimes think of choosing a place to live as being similar to choosing a partner. You should date a bunch of people, even try out a relationship or two, until you are 100% content that you’re a perfect match.
LikeLiked by 1 person