Frontline Series - “One Way Street”

They Sure Do Ask Me to Work Weekends…

From the Frontline Series — Written by a Crew Member Who Keeps Showing Up

They sure do ask me to stay late.

To come in on Saturdays.

To pick up the slack when someone calls out.

To cover another site.

To skip lunch “just this once.”

And I do it.

Because I care.

Because I’m not trying to be the guy who lets the team down.

Because I was raised to give 100% or don’t bother showing up.

But here’s the part that wears you down:

When it’s me who needs something?

Silence.

One-Way Street

I’ve left the house early. Stayed late.

Worked in the rain, the heat, the cold.

Covered shifts. Pulled double duty.

Back-to-back Saturdays in spring. No complaint.

But when I needed a Monday off for my kid’s appointment?

It was a problem.

Not a hard no, just a long delay.

Unanswered texts. Shrugs. Confusion.

I filled out the form. I left the note. But no one followed up.

“I’ll check with someone.”

Suddenly, it’s my responsibility to chase people down just to make sure I won’t get in trouble for taking the time I already requested.

It’s Not That I Expect Special Treatment

I know the job is demanding. I get that.

I know the season is short and the pressure is high.

I’m not trying to duck work. I’m proud of what I do.

But when a place relies on me week after week…

And then ghosts me the one time I need something small?

It makes me feel like I don’t matter.

Like I’m just a name on a whiteboard.

A truck number. A pair of boots to fill a gap.

The Shift with CrewHero

Now?

I open the app.

I tap “Request Time Off.”

I pick the date. I write the reason. I hit submit.

✅ It’s logged.

✅ My manager gets a notification.

✅ I get a response — approved or declined.

✅ And I can actually plan my life.

If it’s approved, it shows up for everyone.

No more “I didn’t know.”

No more getting called at 6 a.m. while I’m packing the car for the lake.

Final Thought

You want me to work hard? I do.

You want me to stay late? I will.

You want me to pick up the phone when we’re short? I’m there.

But I’ve got a life, too.

And when your system ignores my requests, or forgets to follow up, it tells me:

“Your time isn’t as important as ours.”

That’s how you lose people. Not overnight. But over time.

CrewHero fixed that, not just by giving us a form, but by giving us proof that someone saw it, logged it, and respected it.

And respect the people who keep showing up, even when it’s inconvenient.

— One of the guys who’s always had your back — just asking for the same in return