Work Issues -- Getting Stiffed Over and Over Again

[HardcoreRobot]

tell them you want a raise, and if you dont get it you will quit

if you dont get it, quit

 

[TreyRandom]

Originally posted by: heinz256
Im really interested in how this all pwns out..

Fixed.

Good luck in your next position, OP.

 

[necine]

Originally posted by: Greenman
$15 an hour doesn't sound like much for what you do. I pay $15 to guys that can't do more than push a broom or dig a hole. In my biz just speaking english will get you $16.

Yeah seriously... what business is that? 16/hr sounds really nice right now.

 

[necine]

Originally posted by: PingSpike

Originally posted by: necine

Originally posted by: Baked
$10/hour? Ouch. Dell tech support makes more money than you.

I know man. I also live in NJ, one of the priciest places in the country to live. I have zero cash. I survive off of $50/week food money ALL of the rest goes to rent, insurance, and gas. I'm sick of this crap because I'm his best worker. He knows it, the office manager knows it... They can't fire me. However, if I don't get this raise he's getting 2 weeks notice.

If he counter-offers $11 I'm going to say $13... If he counters $12. I'm going to say $13. If I don't get this raise by next Friday I give my 2 weeks. I don't care if I have another job lined up or not.

Oh and I recently lost my cellphone. I just took the work one and told him I'm going to be making personal calls on it. He said... "Hmmm... Ok. Just not too many."

I'm going to agree with you here. Everyone is saying this was a huge mistake, but you're making $11/hr. Its not like its some irreplaceable job. However, regardless if he gives you the raise continue looking for another job because this is going nowhere.

I've been looking for another job for the past 2 months. I've had 1 interview so far and they picked someone else because I can't work fulltimes (school). I'm not just going to walk though because this is 4 years work history on my resume. It's important. My boss is well known in my area and I seriously don't want to burn any bridges. If I don't get the raise he's getting my 2 weeks notice.

 

[necine]

Originally posted by: Zugzwang152
There were less direct ways to bring it up. It's a crapshoot now, basically. If you're as valuable as you say you are, they'll give you the raise, but immediately start looking for someone to replace you, maybe even at a lower rate.

Otherwise you'll be told to fsck off, and they'll start looking for someone else anyway.

Are you kidding? Try finding someone that will do that for less then 10/hr. You're rediculous. However, good advice I've been looking for another job. I will have to begin taking my job search a little more serious and find other avenues besides newspapers and the internet.

 

[necine]

Originally posted by: BoomerD
Has it ever occured to anyone that the OP MIGHT NOT be worth MORE money? Maybe his boss sees him for what he really is, not what the OP thinks he is...

The office manager and network admin make 20/hr. I'm basing the amount I'm asking for on that. I'm probably worth about 15/hr. Definitely more in a different area but the economy of south jersey is terrible.

The office manager is an intelligent woman that didn't finish HS. If she had finished HS and had some college she would be making serious cash.

The network admin is a smart guy that has a BS from rutgers. He also has a felony record.

The owner highers these people because they are SMART but have no where else to go and can't command a higher salary. I can. I'm a semester away from my AS. I don't do drugs. I should be able to find a better higher paying job elsewhere without difficulty and the search has begun.

 

[necine]

Originally posted by: yowolabi
Worst. Email. Ever.

All your points are correct, but if you wanted to keep that job and simply receive a pay raise, you went about it the wrong way with that unprofessional email. Now they'll either call your bluff and allow you to quit, or give you the money and fire you in a couple of months. Also, you should have asked for more than 13/hr and explained specifically how you more than earn your money just off your basic duties... then detailed the other duties you perform and why you feel the wage you are asking for is fair.

Anyway, it sounds like you really wanted to leave the company.... you'll get your wish.

I'm not a fluffer. I tell it how it is.

 

[Zugzwang152]

Originally posted by: necine

Originally posted by: Zugzwang152
There were less direct ways to bring it up. It's a crapshoot now, basically. If you're as valuable as you say you are, they'll give you the raise, but immediately start looking for someone to replace you, maybe even at a lower rate.

Otherwise you'll be told to fsck off, and they'll start looking for someone else anyway.

Are you kidding? Try finding someone that will do that for less then 10/hr. You're rediculous. However, good advice I've been looking for another job. I will have to begin taking my job search a little more serious and find other avenues besides newspapers and the internet.

Obviously they found somebody to do it for less than the job should pay (you). There's always others out there.

Even if they hired someone at the rate you're asking for, it comes with the added benefit of getting rid of the baggage you just created for yourself, and maintaining power in the employee/manager relationship, as someone else mentioned.

 

[necine]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
When the boss started paying new hires more than you, did you raise the issue then?

This is how I see a manager handling this;
You basically threatened him in the email. If he meets your demands, he may feel that the other employees would see him as weak and/ or that you are more of a peer than an employee. This is not good for the employee/boss relationship.

If he let you go, he would show the other employees that no one is so valuable that he couldn't do it without them. It would also show the other employees that he is the boss and he makes the decisions on who gets paid what.

Hopefully, you haven't backed yourself into a corner.

I didn't raise the issue because he was hired and the companies intention was to have him ONLY do service calls. The previous service call technician made 20/hr. They hired him at 10 as a training rate. I didn't care because he was doing a different job then me. They slated 300 hours training (I trained him). He basically said no to doing service calls. Since they told him it was a training rate they gave him a raise to 11. This raise JUST occured. I sent the e-mail the day after he received his raise.

I do see your point on how the manager will handle this. This is unacceptable. I just want to make 13/hr until I find a new job and quit. Completely horrendous management. Also when applying I want to be able to say I make 13 so I can start at a higher payrate at the new place.

 

[necine]

Originally posted by: Zugzwang152

Originally posted by: necine

Originally posted by: Zugzwang152
There were less direct ways to bring it up. It's a crapshoot now, basically. If you're as valuable as you say you are, they'll give you the raise, but immediately start looking for someone to replace you, maybe even at a lower rate.

Otherwise you'll be told to fsck off, and they'll start looking for someone else anyway.

Are you kidding? Try finding someone that will do that for less then 10/hr. You're rediculous. However, good advice I've been looking for another job. I will have to begin taking my job search a little more serious and find other avenues besides newspapers and the internet.

Obviously they found somebody to do it for less than the job should pay (you). There's always others out there.

Even if they hired someone at the rate you're asking for, it comes with the added benefit of getting rid of the baggage you just created for yourself, and maintaining power in the employee/manager relationship, as someone else mentioned.

It was messed up how they went about it. There was no change in my title when I picked up these additional duties. It was more of... "This needs to be done. Steve can you do it" "sure" (1 month later) "Steve can you do it" "Sure". ::rinse repeat::

I just keeped picking up additional duties because there was no one else that could do them and I was asked to do it.

Originally my position was Technical Support. All I did was wait for people to call and fixed there stuff. 10/hr was fine for that. I didnt do anything but sit and wait for calls, browse ATOT, etc.

However, my office manager moved her desk to right behind mine... no more ATOT at work, no more "just waiting for calls". If it needs to be done 9 times out of 10 I'm the one that does it. After I get my raise I'm asking for a change in title as well for my resume. Also, after I get the raise I'm going to tell them I want 44.5 cents a mile.

Basically I have them with there pants down. I'm looking for another job anyway. I could care less if they fire me I plan on quitting.

 

[Greenman]

Originally posted by: VanTheMan

Originally posted by: Greenman
$15 an hour doesn't sound like much for what you do. I pay $15 to guys that can't do more than push a broom or dig a hole. In my biz just speaking english will get you $16.

What biz are you in?

I'm a building contractor.

 

[SagaLore]

I don't think your boss is trying to take advantage of you. If he was that kind of boss, he wouldn't be given your cousin/friend raises voluntarily.

Its obvious he doesn't think you're that great of an employee.

 

[renaldoriggs]

Originally posted by: necine

Originally posted by: Zugzwang152

Originally posted by: necine

Originally posted by: Zugzwang152
There were less direct ways to bring it up. It's a crapshoot now, basically. If you're as valuable as you say you are, they'll give you the raise, but immediately start looking for someone to replace you, maybe even at a lower rate.

Otherwise you'll be told to fsck off, and they'll start looking for someone else anyway.

Are you kidding? Try finding someone that will do that for less then 10/hr. You're rediculous. However, good advice I've been looking for another job. I will have to begin taking my job search a little more serious and find other avenues besides newspapers and the internet.

Obviously they found somebody to do it for less than the job should pay (you). There's always others out there.

Even if they hired someone at the rate you're asking for, it comes with the added benefit of getting rid of the baggage you just created for yourself, and maintaining power in the employee/manager relationship, as someone else mentioned.

It was messed up how they went about it. There was no change in my title when I picked up these additional duties. It was more of... "This needs to be done. Steve can you do it" "sure" (1 month later) "Steve can you do it" "Sure". ::rinse repeat::

I just keeped picking up additional duties because there was no one else that could do them and I was asked to do it.

Originally my position was Technical Support. All I did was wait for people to call and fixed there stuff. 10/hr was fine for that. I didnt do anything but sit and wait for calls, browse ATOT, etc.

However, my office manager moved her desk to right behind mine... no more ATOT at work, no more "just waiting for calls". If it needs to be done 9 times out of 10 I'm the one that does it. After I get my raise I'm asking for a change in title as well for my resume. Also, after I get the raise I'm going to tell them I want 44.5 cents a mile.

Basically I have them with there pants down. I'm looking for another job anyway. I could care less if they fire me I plan on quitting.

Who cares if they officially change your job title or not. Give yourself whatever (reasonable) job title you want on your resume. Everyone does it.

 

[necine]

Originally posted by: SagaLore
I don't think your boss is trying to take advantage of you. If he was that kind of boss, he wouldn't be given your cousin/friend raises voluntarily.

Its obvious he doesn't think you're that great of an employee.

As much as I hate playing the "race card" my cousin is white. I'm 1/2 black. When my cousin got a job there he said he treats you differently and makes you do more work. When he got the raise and I didn't he said it's probably because I'm black because "dude, you do sooo much more work then me". I said whatever because I was leaving in a few months anyway. I thought this was also a possibility why everyone else there got a raise at that time and I didnt.

When my friend got this raise I pretty much hit the wall. He said "Man, I do nothing compared to you. I feel so bad I got this raise and you didnt". I'm pretty sure my boss isn't volunteering me raises because I'm black.

Basically there's no way that he cant see that I do more work then everyone else. He just likes ****** me over. It's probably how he gets his jollies.

 

[jme5343]

As much as I hate playing the "race card"

I'm not a big fan of the race card either. BUT, to totally deny it's a factor is ignorant. You may have something there. I believe you are correct in demanding a raise, even if you don't get it. I hope you do, but I also hope you have something lined up if you don't get the answer you want. There's nothing worse than languishing in a miserable job.

I wish you the best!

 

[Nebor]

Call Jesse Jackson.

 

[vital]

that's the worst email ever

 

[yhelothar]

Originally posted by: waggy
hahahah to be honest if you sent me that email i would have to fire you myself. you do not demand anything in a company (well when you do not have the power to do so).

why is it required for a boss to show his authority and be an ass?
I'm glad my boss is reasonable and listens to what I have to say.

 

[SagaLore]

Originally posted by: necine
As much as I hate playing the "race card" my cousin is white. I'm 1/2 black. When my cousin got a job there he said he treats you differently and makes you do more work. When he got the raise and I didn't he said it's probably because I'm black because "dude, you do sooo much more work then me". I said whatever because I was leaving in a few months anyway. I thought this was also a possibility why everyone else there got a raise at that time and I didnt.

When my friend got this raise I pretty much hit the wall. He said "Man, I do nothing compared to you. I feel so bad I got this raise and you didnt". I'm pretty sure my boss isn't volunteering me raises because I'm black.

If you're experiencing racial bigotry at your workplace, why in the hell are you still working their at all?

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: virtualgames0

Originally posted by: waggy
hahahah to be honest if you sent me that email i would have to fire you myself. you do not demand anything in a company (well when you do not have the power to do so).

why is it required for a boss to show his authority and be an ass?
I'm glad my boss is reasonable and listens to what I have to say.

sure. if you come in and explaine it in a reasonable way its fine. but to demand (wich is how his email comes off) is wrong.

there is only one way to deal with a demand by a employee and that is to fire them. of course there are times when they can and should demand things. but a raise? nope.

 

[necine]

Originally posted by: SagaLore

Originally posted by: necine
As much as I hate playing the "race card" my cousin is white. I'm 1/2 black. When my cousin got a job there he said he treats you differently and makes you do more work. When he got the raise and I didn't he said it's probably because I'm black because "dude, you do sooo much more work then me". I said whatever because I was leaving in a few months anyway. I thought this was also a possibility why everyone else there got a raise at that time and I didnt.

When my friend got this raise I pretty much hit the wall. He said "Man, I do nothing compared to you. I feel so bad I got this raise and you didnt". I'm pretty sure my boss isn't volunteering me raises because I'm black.

If you're experiencing racial bigotry at your workplace, why in the hell are you still working their at all?

I only just realized that as a possibility recently. I've never experienced anything overtly racist or I wouldn't be there.

I don't plan on staying there. I want a raise for 3 reasons: I deserve to make more based upon the amount of work I do. When applying and interviewing for new jobs I want to be able to negotiate pay based on current salary. They try to assfuck me whenever they can, so now it's my turn.

 

[zerocool1]

have your cousin or friend finished college or have any training? that might have something to do with the pay difference.

 

[yhelothar]

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: virtualgames0

Originally posted by: waggy
hahahah to be honest if you sent me that email i would have to fire you myself. you do not demand anything in a company (well when you do not have the power to do so).

why is it required for a boss to show his authority and be an ass?
I'm glad my boss is reasonable and listens to what I have to say.

sure. if you come in and explaine it in a reasonable way its fine. but to demand (wich is how his email comes off) is wrong.

there is only one way to deal with a demand by a employee and that is to fire them. of course there are times when they can and should demand things. but a raise? nope.

He did. He explained what he thinks is a reasonable pay.
A demand is like.. What you're paying me is unfair. I should get a raise. I would not accept anything less than $13/hr. Thank you.
Just cut through the butter-up-bullsh!t and get to the point. I did this and my boss gave me a lot more than his initial offering. He even complimented my honesty.
As George Carlin says.. America's biggest industry is the packaging and marketing of bullsh!t.

 

[DaiShan]

Originally posted by: gooseman

Originally posted by: necine

Originally posted by: Baked
$10/hour? Ouch. Dell tech support makes more money than you.

I know man. I also live in NJ, one of the priciest places in the country to live. I have zero cash. I survive off of $50/week food money ALL of the rest goes to rent, insurance, and gas. I'm sick of this crap because I'm his best worker. He knows it, the office manager knows it... They can't fire me. However, if I don't get this raise he's getting 2 weeks notice.

If he counter-offers $11 I'm going to say $13... If he counters $12. I'm going to say $13. If I don't get this raise by next Friday I give my 2 weeks. I don't care if I have another job lined up or not.

Oh and I recently lost my cellphone. I just took the work one and told him I'm going to be making personal calls on it. He said... "Hmmm... Ok. Just not too many."

The minute you start thinking that they "can't" fire you, you will find yourself in the street.

That is SO true. I've known people who were EXTREMELY valuable to the company (for instance the only sys admin) that got fired because of this mentality. Management usually won't be held hostage by their employees, so they'd rather have no one than someone who walks around like he owns the place.

 

[DaiShan]

Originally posted by: chambersc

Originally posted by: waggy
hahahah to be honest if you sent me that email i would have to fire you myself. you do not demand anything in a company (well when you do not have the power to do so).

From what the OP said, he definitly does have the power to do so.

It doesn't sound like you've ever worked for a company before. He is a line worker, tech support these days is a dime a dozen. Hell, My freshman year of college (3 years ago) some company offered me $6/hour to do tech support, and I had 2 certs at the time plus 1 years experience. Sure his replacement won't be as good, but he'll probably get paid less than the OP, and as long as he gets the job done, the company will be in a better position.You are only irreplaceable if the company risks going under without you, and if his boss is off glavanting around NO then his business is not in dire straits (or he's a complete idiot, in either case, the OP does NOT have the power here.)