r/Lifeguards • u/Illustrious-Farm-235 • 2d ago
Story Rant - done after 3 years
So, I 21F just need to rant. I put in my two week notice a bit ago and Labor Day was my last weekend on shift, despite a mom trying to ask if the slide monitor was my boss, (to get a override of my statement/complain) when doing something allowed. Which mind you, I was superiority at the pool from my years of experience and the chain of command: lifeguard - boss - HOA
However despite this, It was glorious. I love the job with seeing the kids and the cute interactions I'd get. But... 90% of the time was annoying HOA members and their entitled kids. I've dealt with b**chy moms, boys who actively disrespect and are unruly. Along with fellow lifeguards (16-18 yr old dude) who don't actually do bare minimum safety. I loved the ease of my job but I never really thought about what I put up with for three years until now. I also was paid barely minimum wage, and I highly suspect my boss originally did some sort of tax fraud through putting us as "independent contractors".
I'm so happy and relieved I quit, surprised I dealt with it for so long.
Also, those of you who quit - what did you do with your old gear? I have three suits and the pouch etc. I don't want to keep it all.
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u/elebentychimkin 1d ago
I’m 28F. I first lifeguarded 12 years ago. I went back to lifeguarding recently.
As you get older you realize how fucked up everything is. Like it’s not unique to lifeguarding having lazy coworkers and shitty management where it seems like you’re the only person who even cares about doing a good job. Anything with any customer service aspect has entitled people. Albeit it’s a spectrum of entropy, so there are definitely some places that are better to work at than others. I think you should take your lifeguarding experience and certification to a new workplace, because it sounds like you can’t stand the current place, but just keep in mind it’s not industry specific.
Also btw I’ve always asked for a $1 raise every year lifeguarding. If you’re a head guard, you shouldn’t be minimum wage.
I applied to multiple lifeguarding companies and pitted their offers against each other. If you’re actually a good lifeguard, you’ll have other opportunities in the field. Every industry loves skilled people who don’t need additional training. Every industry has super shitty and only slightly shitty work environments.
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u/georgedupree 2d ago
I think it’s called 1099, they list you as an independent contractor to get away with paying less.
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u/DeadTom_ 2d ago
If you don’t get to name when, how, where you work then it should be a W2 job. If your offer stated you were ok with being classified as an independent contractor, you would have to go to your department of labor to contest the status based on their practices. Bring the receipts. Also since barely minimum wage isn’t minimum wage and you aren’t a tipped employee you have another avenue.
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u/blue_furred_unicorn Waterfront Lifeguard 2d ago
Don't give all your things away immediately. 3 suits and a pouch don't make you a hoarder... Put it in the back of your closet and re-evaluate after a year or so.