Am I being unreasonable? New techy job problem

[kaihonsou]

I started a new job doing laptop and computer repairs. The business is very new and they are working from a ink refill front, which is probably the size of most people bathrooms.

Everything is good and fine. Making use of the room I have to do the repairs. We got jack repairs in (not very experienced in this but id give it try). The desk I have to work with is a wall-section 2 feet and a half (32 inches, 81 cm) in length, and 16 inches, 41 cm wide.

Its a tiny space. I disassemble a laptop and the parts are all over the place since I have no room on the table. We cant find the part for this one, so I will have to put it together (the small connectors that keep the ribbons in place wont go back on), and I took a second home to replace the jack.

My table is nice and big, and I was sitting down de-soldering away. Problem with this is im payed a tiny amount an hour, and not payed for this work at home. I get in at 7:15pm and if im doing jack work im not done till around 9pm. Sleep, go to work and earn a wage thats much less then stacking shelves.

So, I told him im not doing jack repairs since I have no room, I dont have the right equipment and im not doing them from home. He told me he has 50 CV's from other technicians who would be happy to take the job on.

Am I being a bit of a queen or should I make do? I cant solder at the shop since im standing up with literally no space holding a soldering iron I cant put anywhere while also serving customers for ink refills?

Bah!

 

[Harabec]

Sounds like he expects you to be his slave.

Would you put up with that? I'd rather work at security or a library or some such...same wages I assume.

 

[kaihonsou]

Would you do the jack repairs with such little room?

Its good experience but it wont last long. Its alot better putting "computer/laptop/phone repair technician" then it is "baker".

 

[gorcorps]

Sounds like he expects you to be his employee.

FTFY

Nothing wrong with a boss expecting you to do you damn job. Calling it slavery is asinine... how old are you?

OP if you don't like the job, quit. The best you can do is talk about the working situation which you did, and he has no intention to fix it. If that's what he wants then he's never going to get an employee to stay, so quit.

 

[kaihonsou]

FTFY

Nothing wrong with a boss expecting you to do you damn job. Calling it slavery is asinine... how old are you?

OP if you don't like the job, quit. The best you can do is talk about the working situation which you did, and he has no intention to fix it. If that's what he wants then he's never going to get an employee to stay, so quit.

You didnt read my post.

 

[NesuD]

Just tell him fine get one of those other 50 guys to do it then. The space is absolutely to confined to work as a proper soldering station. Don't screw around with that kind of boss he will just make you miserable. If he hired you to do the work he wasn't qualified to do then he should be willing to listen to you about problems related to that work. His response to your concerns is a huge red flag that says boss is a major asshole. Walk away and don't look back.

 

[kaihonsou]

Just tell him fine get one of those other 50 guys to do it then. The space is absolutely to confined to work as a proper soldering station. Don't screw around with that kind of boss he will just make you miserable. If he hired you to do the work he wasn't qualified to do then he should be willing to listen to you about problems related to that work. His response to your concerns is a huge red flag that says boss is a major asshole. Walk away and don't look back.

I would have to wait for him to fire me otherwise I get no support for 3 months. I have one laptop open now just putting it back together (wasn't even the jack, still not working) and another one at the shop taking up the space. Once they are fixed I will give him the ultimatum.

After today, Ive realized that its not a matter of wondering if im being unreasonable, its not possible at all to do the work.

 

[n7]

Doesn't sound like a fun situation...

 

[PowerYoga]

start looking for a different job. Give him 2 weeks notice when you find one.

 

[Ketchup]

I don't know how long you have had this job, but starting it off by complaining is not a good idea. Don't like the job? Quit. He could be bluffing about the people in line for it, but don't push it unless you are ready to leave.

You have a job, and what's more you are gaining experience. Those are very good thing. Room to small? So what? Like you said, they are very new, so there is a decent chance your room will get bigger as they grow.

To answer your question "am I being unreasonable?" Probably.
The inferred question "Is he being unreasonable?" Maybe, but not necessarily.

Ultimately you are the one that has to decide if you want to keep your job. If you keep bringing it up, you are going to do nothing but tick off your boss since you have already brought it up once.

 

[chitwood]

how about a pic of your workspace?

 

[kaihonsou]

Will post one after im down there.

 

[Mandres]

Don't take the work home ever again unless you're being paid for it. Next time show him, don't tell him, that it's impossible to do do this particular type of repair at the current station. Show him, and ask him what you should do. If he's not willing to figure something out then it's time to quit.

 

[gorcorps]

You didnt read my post.

Yes I did, and I read it again. What about my reply don't you agree with?

 

[Greenman]

If you don't have the space or the tools to do the work you tell the boss. If he won't address the problem then you're all done, as he's either stupid or unreasonable.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Where are you? I need to never ever bring my laptop there.

 

[CZroe]

Jack repairs can be a nightmare. Not because they are hard, but because the worst can happen during and after it and it's not like you can just waltz down to Fry's for a replacement part. Many things inside a laptop are not meant to be repeatedly connected/disconnected. I've had things like keyboard/touchpad flat cables have their contacts peel off (push-in with no latching ZIF connector), tiny heatsink screws have their heads twist right off, and every problem under the sun blamed on me for taking it apart ("I didn't have a virus until you took it apart!"). Ugh.

I think you need some kind of disassembly DVR so you can put screws and parts in sorted bins and play it back when you need to know what came from where. I use double-sided tape and a diagram on paper when I have room.

 

[Kaido]

If you're not happy, I'd definitely start looking for a different job. It can be scary to do that, but you also don't want to be miserable every day if you don't have to. I spent years at jobs dreading going in every day and I've finally found a place that treats me well and I actually look forward to going to. It's awesome!

You can always post your services on Craigslist, depending on the kind of cashflow you require.

 

[exdeath]

Find another job. Any boss that always pulls the "I can find someone else to do your job cheaper" card in response to legitimate productivity complaints is a cheapskating freeloader and you'll never get anywhere, and likely end up jobless when the place goes under.

Find a boss that recognizes worthwhile employees, isn't so cheap as to avoid investing in the business by providing what you need to do your job effectively, and is willing to share the business with loyal employees.

Avoid the ones where you work in a janitor closet for minimum wage for a boss that likes to park his Mercedes in front of the store.

 

[xj0hnx]

Find another job. Any boss that always pulls the "I can find someone else to do your job cheaper" card is a cheapskating freeloader and you'll never get anywhere.

Find a boss that recognizes worthwhile employees, isn't so cheap as to invest in the business by providing what you need to do your job effectively, and is willing to share the business with loyal employees.

Avoid the ones where you work in a janitor closet for minimum wage for a boss that likes to park his Mercedes in front of the store.

This. If you don't have the room to do the job at work, and aren't getting paid for work done at home, than call his bluff on the "other people". Hell you can put an ad in Craigslist and get as much if not more business, and all the money paid is yours.

 

[iRONic]

I started a new job doing laptop and computer repairs. The business is very new and they are working from a ink refill front, which is probably the size of most people bathrooms.

In the US or outside of the US?

 

[exdeath]

Oh you should print out OSHA and fire code paperwork for hazardous fume exposure and ventilation and work area size requirements and such, and follow through with a lawsuit and him being served a shut down notice if you get fired over it.

Yeah I'm a vindictive bitch like that. /pimpsmack

 

[torpid]

I would not take the machines home. Ever. Too many potential issues with that... legal, insurance, etc.

 

[kaihonsou]

This is outside the US (Ireland).

I'm not doing the jack repairs, Its not a matter of wont but cant. Im not taking them home because im being paid much less then I was in retail and working many more hours if I include the work at home.

The business is owned by a son and dad (the son employed me). Ive not signed a contract (there's not actually one, but I will raise it with them) and Im told my hours the day before.

The dad shot himself in the foot. He asked if I was on welfare, and that I should of signed on so he could employ me through the job-reach scheme (you get welfare + 50 euro extra, they don't pay your wages and the govt gives them tax breaks). I left my job for this, and to suggest it is highly illegal. We have having a sit-down on Monday and see how it goes.

This new job is becoming more then the DC jack issue. I knew I would be taking a hit but not like this. I'm coming from a bakery so the experience on my CV is a massive improvement and is not the only reason I want to keep it up.

If I lose the job I can get legal advice. I can also get a network engineer and be paid 250 euro a week for a 550 week job (good one Irish government).

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

Kai.

 

[Ayah]

the area you described isn't really large enough to do it all unless you're reconfiguring your workspace between each task.. which is retarded. quit asap.