Life Am I getting screwed at my job? - Page 6

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?

demonhero · 02-17-2012, 06:48 PM

U answered the question.... better job opportunity is out there waiting for you.

**Gadzooks** · 02-17-2012, 06:54 PM

lcarus, It seems to me you've got to think about how you can better your standing at work by bringing in more money,etc.. or think about what you would have to do to leave and be successful.
If you're comfortable - stop bitching
Otherwise, get a plan, get off your ass and make it happen.

ghak99 · 02-17-2012, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iowanian

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.

In this job market I would think the ball would be rolling all over the employers court. What is the job? Does it not pay high enough to pull in the more motivated workers?

**Easy 6** · 02-17-2012, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jspchief

yes

That was going to be my reply without reading a word.

Then to find out they wont even give a small Christmas bonus? those guys need a visit from a Beastly, BULGING man like Cousin Eddie.

ghak99 · 02-17-2012, 07:59 PM

Sounds like you're in a bad spot Lcarus. I've always thought working, or doing business in general, with family was a bad idea. If you step up and let it all out, you're calling your father out and cock blocking him all at the same time. I'm guessing there would be repercussions for doing so, even though you're in the right.

The way the job market is right now I wouldn't dump and run without a plan, but I would definitely be putting myself out there and testing the waters. If you hit something you want, turn your two weeks in and either demand your worth or wash your hand of the situation.

HonestChieffan · 02-17-2012, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pr_capone

It sounds like you and your dad know how to run a place like that and you would probably be better served to break off from the owners and start your own place.

Right here.

FAX · 02-17-2012, 09:51 PM

I think Mr. pr_capone has the right idea.

It's hard to think about a father running a sweat shop with his own children as laborers. If the owners are the problem, start your own place. Do either you or your father have a non-compete agreement in force with the owners? If not, tell them this ain't China and you ain't Chung Fo Cheap. Then start a business, make a couple rocks, score a model, and see the world.

FAX

Fairplay · 02-18-2012, 01:56 AM

Management would crap their pants if you said this is my last week and i have another job. They would try to dig out of you why and for how much. I wouldn't tell them the name of the (fake of course) company. As they might call it and double check your story first.
Having your resume on the desk and clearing out your desk would be a nice touch.

I'm thinking they might give you a couple buck raise anyway.

Fairplay · 02-18-2012, 02:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gblowfish

BTW: Corel Draw? Really? Really???

Heh, yeah i thought that also.

**btlook1** · 02-18-2012, 03:12 AM

Sounds like starting your own place could be a good thing...make sure you print the customer list out and take it with you....get going and contact every past customer they had. That could help you out quite a bit.

el borracho · 02-18-2012, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lcarus

God...don't even get me started. Such a shit program. Each version has more and more bugs. We're using X5 now and it randomly crashes whenever the hell it feels like it and I can lose files in the blink of an eye. But...it works for a lot of the simple things we do.

I gather that is not a very good program? One thing you can do is perhaps purchase a better/more marketable program and start using that at your current job. This will accomplish two things: 1) You will increase your skills and marketability so that when you do apply to other jobs, you will be up-to-speed on a valid program and 2) You may have more leverage for a raise with your current company.

**gblowfish** · 02-18-2012, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FAX

If not, tell them this ain't China and you ain't Chung Fo Cheap. FAX

Hey! I have a Taiwanese vendor named Chung Fo Cheap. Small world!

Deberg_1990 · 02-18-2012, 10:01 AM

Just quit, stay home and collect your $1200 a month. it's the American Way!

**Mr. Kotter** · 02-18-2012, 10:46 AM

I haven't read the whole thread, but....

If you are not actively looking for work elsewhere, I'd start with that. Once you get a nice lead or two, or better...and offer, I'd use that as leverage to tell your current employer to "take this job and shove it."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fairplay

Management would crap their pants if you said this is my last week and i have another job. They would try to dig out of you why and for how much. I wouldn't tell them the name of the (fake of course) company. As they might call it and double check your story first.
Having your resume on the desk and clearing out your desk would be a nice touch.

I'm thinking they might give you a couple buck raise anyway.

Basically, THIS.

**Mr. Kotter** · 02-18-2012, 10:53 AM

I've now skimmed the thread. GTFO. Now.

Holy crap...you can find something if you try. Guaranteed.

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: 17,818

02-17-2012, 06:48 PM	#76
demonhero Starter Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Kansas/bama Casino cash: $10004900	U answered the question.... better job opportunity is out there waiting for you.
Posts: 986

02-17-2012, 06:54 PM	#77
Gadzooks MFIC Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Tromsø, Norway Casino cash: $3729219	lcarus, It seems to me you've got to think about how you can better your standing at work by bringing in more money,etc.. or think about what you would have to do to leave and be successful. If you're comfortable - stop bitching Otherwise, get a plan, get off your ass and make it happen.
Posts: 7,771

02-17-2012, 07:59 PM	#80
ghak99 MVP Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Missouri Casino cash: $-1727750	Sounds like you're in a bad spot Lcarus. I've always thought working, or doing business in general, with family was a bad idea. If you step up and let it all out, you're calling your father out and cock blocking him all at the same time. I'm guessing there would be repercussions for doing so, even though you're in the right. The way the job market is right now I wouldn't dump and run without a plan, but I would definitely be putting myself out there and testing the waters. If you hit something you want, turn your two weeks in and either demand your worth or wash your hand of the situation.
Posts: 9,013

02-17-2012, 09:51 PM	#82
FAX testing ... 1, 2, 3 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Tennessee Casino cash: $6753759	I think Mr. pr_capone has the right idea. It's hard to think about a father running a sweat shop with his own children as laborers. If the owners are the problem, start your own place. Do either you or your father have a non-compete agreement in force with the owners? If not, tell them this ain't China and you ain't Chung Fo Cheap. Then start a business, make a couple rocks, score a model, and see the world. FAX
Posts: 44,492

02-18-2012, 01:56 AM	#83
Fairplay A certain set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: texas Casino cash: $10026683 VARSITY	Management would crap their pants if you said this is my last week and i have another job. They would try to dig out of you why and for how much. I wouldn't tell them the name of the (fake of course) company. As they might call it and double check your story first. Having your resume on the desk and clearing out your desk would be a nice touch. I'm thinking they might give you a couple buck raise anyway.
Posts: 25,265

02-18-2012, 03:12 AM	#85
btlook1 umm...what do I say here? Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: S.E. Kansas Casino cash: $9275227	Sounds like starting your own place could be a good thing...make sure you print the customer list out and take it with you....get going and contact every past customer they had. That could help you out quite a bit. __________________ BTW, your draft input is reminiscent of a porn stars cock sucking gone wild video. Sure it's great when they open their mouths but the funk that drips out afterward nobody wants a part of[/quote]
Posts: 1,300

02-18-2012, 10:01 AM	#88
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $324454	Just quit, stay home and collect your $1200 a month. it's the American Way! __________________ Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning: Matt once made a very nice play in Seattle where he spun away from a pass rusher and hit Bowe off his back foot for a first down. One of the best plays Matt has ever made.
Posts: 68,418

02-18-2012, 10:53 AM	#90
Mr. Kotter The Dude Abides Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Dakota Country Casino cash: $3404285	I've now skimmed the thread. GTFO. Now. Holy crap...you can find something if you try. Guaranteed. __________________ "I've always said I worry about legacy and winning rings more than making money at this moment...We see what's going on around the league, but at the same time, I'll never do anything that's going to hurt us from keeping the great players around me.”
Posts: 46,844