Life Am I getting screwed at my job? - Page 5

lcarus · 02-17-2012, 02:28 PM

I have worked at an awards shop since 2002. My father is the GM who runs the place, but the owners are a couple of old investors that are hands-off. My job is to design every award that comes through the door, and we do everything from trophies, plaques, glass and acrylic awards, medals, ribbons, t-shirts, hats, custom engravings, you name it. I use two laser engravers and a sublimation printer. I use CorelDraw and Photoshop for everything. A lot of times I have to design artwork for lazy customers who can't get us something usable. I have a very very good record of not screwing things up, which is easy to do.

I started at 8.50 an hour and I now make 13.50. I haven't had a raise in 2 and a half years, and it was a dollar raise. We probably do between 3,000-6,000 dollars per day in business. We only have about 7 employees currently. I was told this past Christmas that the owners weren't giving Christmas bonuses. I usually have gotten like 150 bucks or so every Christmas. We had a pretty good year...

Every time I rarely, politely ask for a raise I'm told by the owners or my father that I should be happy with what I make, and if I want more money I should help the company make more money...should I get the hell outta here?

whoman69 · 02-17-2012, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Predarat

Pretty much all American Workers are getting screwed at their job, and not in the good way.

You mean there's no casual sex Friday?

lcarus · 02-17-2012, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldman

I don't know what the cost of living is in Tulsa, but $13.50 isn't much. I'd tell you to take your talents elsewhere, but consider that a lot of employers want to see a piece of paper to go along with your experience. Better have something else lined up before you tell them to take this job and shove it.

Yes I agree and it's my fault for taking this crap job for so long. I just need to motivate myself to find something else. Hell, I've been telling myself I am going to try my hand as a standup comic for a long time now.

**Mr. Flopnuts** · 02-17-2012, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

When did 50-60K become a comfortable living?

It's garbage living in Seattle. Tulsa on the other hand? It's enough for home ownership.

AndChiefs · 02-17-2012, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Flopnuts

It's garbage living in Seattle. Tulsa on the other hand? It's enough for home ownership.

It's okay here...certainly not living the high life at that wage.

**Mr. Flopnuts** · 02-17-2012, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndChiefs

It's okay here...certainly not living the high life at that wage.

**** no. That's drinking namebbrand soda pop, and doing better than PB&J every single day for the kids. The important part is home ownership.

scho63 · 02-17-2012, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lcarus

I'm currently taking college classes at night trying to complete my Associates in Fire Science. I was wanting to be a firefighter or something related to the fire protection industry, but now...I just don't know. I'm over halfway done.

I do have over 10 years experience doing what I do, but I just don't know what's out there involving what I've been doing.

Screwed would be putting it mildly.

You could easily do free lance work for tech companies or your self doing design work for websites and graphic ads. EASILY make $25-50 per hour. Use Craigllist or many of the freelance boards

Also you need to learn Flash and other higher end programs

htismaqe · 02-17-2012, 05:33 PM

In general, the answer to "Am I getting screwed at my job?" is pretty much always an emphatic "yes".

Pasta Little Brioni · 02-17-2012, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R8ers

Plenty of money

If spent wisely

Bein debt free, yes it is.

R8RFAN · 02-17-2012, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PGM

If spent wisely

Bein debt free, yes it is.

02-17-2012, 06:09 PM

The more money you make for the man, the more money he's willing to pay you. If "the man" is going to lose money by letting you move on then maybe he'll be happy to throw you some more. But yeah, working for your old man isn't always the best idea. If he's not willing to go to bat for you, who will?

**Iowanian** · 02-17-2012, 06:11 PM

If you really know that much about the business, product, supply, marketing et al, go out on your own. That'll fix em.

If you've got a good skill set you can at least do a little job hunting to see what the market IS for your skills, and then determine if you should go or stay.

I'm trying my ass off to hire qualified people for 2 positions right now, and can't seem to find solid employees who can get very far away from girlfriends and other bullshit. I'd like to see someone who wants a job actually demonstrate that to me and they'll be working monday for quite a bit higher than going rate for that job position across the state.

**Bugeater** · 02-17-2012, 06:26 PM

You're only worth what it would cost to replace you.

Valiant · 02-17-2012, 06:44 PM

Lol. Yes was probably posted a lot.

If you love doing it but hate it there start up your own by find an investor.
How can a place have that many employes geting paid?

Everyone is ****ing you there. Start looking. Tell them to fire the girl and/or yourdad.. sunds like they don't do shit. Hell tell them to give you the 30k and can both, business would get 60k more profitable.

Or, as people have said, that much experience and do most of the work. Give them their options. Steal sme clientele. No loyality to people that take advantage of you.

But line stuff up first.

**Gadzooks** · 02-17-2012, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bugeater

You're only worth what it would cost to replace you.

and seldom paid accordingly...

Valiant · 02-17-2012, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bugeater

You're only worth what it would cost to replace you.

Cost and work he does. They have to find someone to replace his abilities andknow the programs.

If they become dicks before you leave. Password the programs and delete all your designs. Document the times you worked off the clock.

02-17-2012, 02:28 PM
lcarus Everybody Lies. Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: 22 Acacia Avenue Casino cash: $-1729887	Am I getting screwed at my job? I have worked at an awards shop since 2002. My father is the GM who runs the place, but the owners are a couple of old investors that are hands-off. My job is to design every award that comes through the door, and we do everything from trophies, plaques, glass and acrylic awards, medals, ribbons, t-shirts, hats, custom engravings, you name it. I use two laser engravers and a sublimation printer. I use CorelDraw and Photoshop for everything. A lot of times I have to design artwork for lazy customers who can't get us something usable. I have a very very good record of not screwing things up, which is easy to do. I started at 8.50 an hour and I now make 13.50. I haven't had a raise in 2 and a half years, and it was a dollar raise. We probably do between 3,000-6,000 dollars per day in business. We only have about 7 employees currently. I was told this past Christmas that the owners weren't giving Christmas bonuses. I usually have gotten like 150 bucks or so every Christmas. We had a pretty good year... Every time I rarely, politely ask for a raise I'm told by the owners or my father that I should be happy with what I make, and if I want more money I should help the company make more money...should I get the hell outta here?
Posts: 17,820

02-17-2012, 05:33 PM	#67
htismaqe 'Tis my eye! Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Chiefsplanet Casino cash: $8179900	In general, the answer to "Am I getting screwed at my job?" is pretty much always an emphatic "yes".
Posts: 104,292

02-17-2012, 06:09 PM	#70
Phobia Guest Casino cash: $	The more money you make for the man, the more money he's willing to pay you. If "the man" is going to lose money by letting you move on then maybe he'll be happy to throw you some more. But yeah, working for your old man isn't always the best idea. If he's not willing to go to bat for you, who will?
Posts: n/a

02-17-2012, 06:11 PM	#71
Iowanian Supporter Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Utopia Casino cash: $1818454	If you really know that much about the business, product, supply, marketing et al, go out on your own. That'll fix em. If you've got a good skill set you can at least do a little job hunting to see what the market IS for your skills, and then determine if you should go or stay. I'm trying my ass off to hire qualified people for 2 positions right now, and can't seem to find solid employees who can get very far away from girlfriends and other bullshit. I'd like to see someone who wants a job actually demonstrate that to me and they'll be working monday for quite a bit higher than going rate for that job position across the state.
Posts: 62,930

02-17-2012, 06:26 PM	#72
Bugeater The Maintenance Guy Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Renovated Bugeater Estate Casino cash: $3992680	You're only worth what it would cost to replace you.
Posts: 70,546

02-17-2012, 06:44 PM	#73
Valiant Valiant 'The Thread Killer' Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $4572380	Lol. Yes was probably posted a lot. If you love doing it but hate it there start up your own by find an investor. How can a place have that many employes geting paid? Everyone is ****ing you there. Start looking. Tell them to fire the girl and/or yourdad.. sunds like they don't do shit. Hell tell them to give you the 30k and can both, business would get 60k more profitable. Or, as people have said, that much experience and do most of the work. Give them their options. Steal sme clientele. No loyality to people that take advantage of you. But line stuff up first.
Posts: 18,550