Bisola Omotade, a 24-year-old sales worker who works at a clothing store in Abuja earns 20,000 naira a month, working 7AM to 7PM daily at a small shop.
Omotade obtained qualification in accounting from Kwara State Polytechnic in 2013. She struggles with low pay and long hours at the shop, where her compensation does not reflect her extensive responsibilities and work hours.
As the first child in her family, Omotade has two younger siblings who she feels a strong sense of responsibility to support . This adds to her stress and makes her already low salary even more challenging to manage. The financial strain is compounded by the constant need to contribute to her family’s well-being.
Despite her hard work and dedication, her pay does not reflect the effort and hours she puts in. Bisola’s daily routine remains extremely demanding, leaving her with very little time for herself or her family and friends. She described the experience as feeling like she was living in the shop, with no chance to enjoy her personal life.
The constant pressure to meet sales targets and the stress from managing the shop are significant burdens that weighed heavily on her. Bisola admitted that there were times when she felt overwhelmed and emotionally drained, struggling to maintain a balance between her work responsibilities and her personal life.
Her responsibilities extended far beyond what her paycheck would suggest. “I had to open the shop at 7 AM every day and keep it running until 7 PM,” Bisola said. She was responsible for a multitude of tasks, including making sales, handling customer inquiries, and ensuring the shop’s smooth operation. Her workload is extensive and relentless, demanding her full attention and energy every day.
“It was a very stressful routine, and I never got a day off. I was expected to handle so many duties, all while receiving a salary that barely covered my basic expenses and the little things I wanted for myself,” she added.
The lack of time off meant that Omotade has no opportunity to rest or recharge, further contributing to her stress and exhaustion.
“There were days when I felt like I was living in the shop. I rarely had time for myself, let alone for my family and friends,” she explained.
The pressure to achieve sales targets is immense and unrelenting, making it hard for Omotade to balance her professional responsibilities with her personal needs and desires.
After months of increasing stress and exhaustion, Omotade has decided she can no longer continue under such conditions.
“I asked for a more reasonable work schedule and better pay, but my requests were ignored. It became clear that nothing would change,” she said. “Eventually, I realized that I had to leave to take care of my own well-being.”
Realizing that her health and well-being were at stake, Omotade made the tough decision to leave the job. Her decision is driven by the need to protect her mental and physical health and to seek employment that offered a better balance between work and personal life. It was not an easy choice, but Omotade believes it is necessary for her happiness and future.
Despite the hardships faced, she remains hopeful about her future. Omotade is determined to find a job that values her efforts and provides a healthier work-life balance. Her hardwork and hope for a better situation are commendable.
