Life Am I getting screwed at my job? - Page 7

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?

**gblowfish** · 02-18-2012, 11:24 AM

Yellow pages list five different trophy companies in Tulsa. If you don't have a non-disclosure or non-compete claus in your employment agreement, talk to your competitors and see if they'll make you an offer. Lots of times they'll want you, not only for experience, but for your client book. If you can bring them enough business to pay your salary, then it's a win win.

http://www.superpages.com/yellowpage.../S-OK/T-Tulsa/

lcarus · 02-20-2012, 10:37 AM

I looked it up, and it says my position average salary is $15 an hour. Starting pay...nice to know lol

trndobrd · 02-20-2012, 10:45 AM

Don't limit yourself to trophy shops. There are lots of places someone with creativity and decent Corel and Photoshop skills would be useful. Print shops, advertising agencies, newspapers, magazines, etc.

tooge · 02-20-2012, 11:09 AM

we haven't given our staff raises on about two years either. As a business owner, it isn't always about "were doing well as a business". You may do 3-6K per day as a business, but depending on the overhead, if the company isn't growing, but rather just the same as the last two years, then giving a raise to you is taking money right out of the owners pocket. I never understand where the staff at my office thinks raise money comes from. It doesn't grow on trees. If the office revenue didn't grow, and I give raises, then my take home goes down. Yeah, that seems fair.

lcarus · 02-20-2012, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tooge

we haven't given our staff raises on about two years either. As a business owner, it isn't always about "were doing well as a business". You may do 3-6K per day as a business, but depending on the overhead, if the company isn't growing, but rather just the same as the last two years, then giving a raise to you is taking money right out of the owners pocket. I never understand where the staff at my office thinks raise money comes from. It doesn't grow on trees. If the office revenue didn't grow, and I give raises, then my take home goes down. Yeah, that seems fair.

You are correct. This place isn't profiting enough. I think it's just keeping its head above water actually. However that isn't my fault. I do everything there as far as the actual work that comes through the door, and we do a lot of work. I am very efficient with my work. It's really easy to screw up product when you're engraving a lot of various text. We SHOULD be making a lot of profit, but like I said, it's run inefficiently. We have people on the payroll that don't contribute nearly enough, if anything. There's no management from my dad. Sorry dad, but you just aren't cutting it lol.

The point is, I think it's time to put myself out there and see what happens. I've grown complacent. Burnt out. Sick of the problems every day with orders not getting written up right, or scheduled improperly. Lost orders. It's just a nightmare a lot of times. Which is a shame. It could be a great place to work. 10 years is a long time. Started here when I was 18.

I'd like to get my own house someday. Even if it's a crappy house. Maybe....maybe...start a family. I don't know. I know people have done that on less than what I make, but I should at least check out what opportunities are around.

tooge · 02-20-2012, 11:37 AM

I'd certainly put yourself out there. Being at a place for 10 years and being only 28 years old makes you a pretty attractive hire as long as you have a skill that the employer is looking for.

NewChief · 02-20-2012, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tooge

we haven't given our staff raises on about two years either. As a business owner, it isn't always about "were doing well as a business". You may do 3-6K per day as a business, but depending on the overhead, if the company isn't growing, but rather just the same as the last two years, then giving a raise to you is taking money right out of the owners pocket. I never understand where the staff at my office thinks raise money comes from. It doesn't grow on trees. If the office revenue didn't grow, and I give raises, then my take home goes down. Yeah, that seems fair.

Yeah, my wife got a 20% pay cut recently (though they've already bumped back 10% after a few months). The economy is tough, and if the company can't provide raises, they can't. But the OP needs to go ahead and put himself out there and try to find something better.

lcarus · 02-20-2012, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tooge

I'd certainly put yourself out there. Being at a place for 10 years and being only 28 years old makes you a pretty attractive hire as long as you have a skill that the employer is looking for.

I'm just unsure how my skills here will translate to somewhere else, barring another awards place. I don't really want to work at another awards place tbh. Between a rock and a hard place?

tooge · 02-20-2012, 01:05 PM

you can obviously use those devices you mentioned. Is that the only thing they are used for? Perhaps looking into a graphic design type job or school?

lcarus · 07-02-2012, 11:57 AM

Update for anyone that cares (nobody probably). My dad (the GM) hired an outside dude to come in and be his assistant manager. This guy used to work here before I did, which was about 12 years ago. He only worked here for a year or two. Now keep in mind, I've basically been keeping this place afloat for years now. I've never truly been a "manager" but I've been in charge of the place really. I opened and closed, and the past few months when we were busy, I was working 10-12 hour days almost 7 days a week, sometimes up here by myself.

So now I have this guy here who thinks he has authority over me, even though he really doesn't. I wouldn't be surprised if he gets paid more than me. I've been trying to get a raise for the past 3 years to no avail. So instead of promoting me to this "assistant manager" position and making the new guy take my duties of laser engraving, it's the other way around. I feel god damn betrayed. By my own father. I guess just because....the new guy is older? I don't get it. I need a new career opportunity.

Ace Gunner · 07-02-2012, 12:02 PM

Get two more minimum wage jobs. Should work out fine.

**BigMeatballDave** · 07-02-2012, 12:03 PM

I'd be looking elsewhere.

**Saulbadguy** · 07-02-2012, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lcarus

Update for anyone that cares (nobody probably). My dad (the GM) hired an outside dude to come in and be his assistant manager. This guy used to work here before I did, which was about 12 years ago. He only worked here for a year or two. Now keep in mind, I've basically been keeping this place afloat for years now. I've never truly been a "manager" but I've been in charge of the place really. I opened and closed, and the past few months when we were busy, I was working 10-12 hour days almost 7 days a week, sometimes up here by myself.

So now I have this guy here who thinks he has authority over me, even though he really doesn't. I wouldn't be surprised if he gets paid more than me. I've been trying to get a raise for the past 3 years to no avail. So instead of promoting me to this "assistant manager" position and making the new guy take my duties of laser engraving, it's the other way around. I feel god damn betrayed. By my own father. I guess just because....the new guy is older? I don't get it. I need a new career opportunity.

Sounds like you have an external locus of control.

Sofa King · 07-02-2012, 12:05 PM

Tell him you're out.

Deberg_1990 · 07-02-2012, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lcarus

Update for anyone that cares (nobody probably). My dad (the GM) hired an outside dude to come in and be his assistant manager. This guy used to work here before I did, which was about 12 years ago. He only worked here for a year or two. Now keep in mind, I've basically been keeping this place afloat for years now. I've never truly been a "manager" but I've been in charge of the place really. I opened and closed, and the past few months when we were busy, I was working 10-12 hour days almost 7 days a week, sometimes up here by myself.

So now I have this guy here who thinks he has authority over me, even though he really doesn't. I wouldn't be surprised if he gets paid more than me. I've been trying to get a raise for the past 3 years to no avail. So instead of promoting me to this "assistant manager" position and making the new guy take my duties of laser engraving, it's the other way around. I feel god damn betrayed. By my own father. I guess just because....the new guy is older? I don't get it. I need a new career opportunity.

Have you ever sat down with your Father and expressed these thoughts to him?

02-17-2012, 02:28 PM
lcarus Everybody Lies. Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: 22 Acacia Avenue Casino cash: $-1719887	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

02-18-2012, 11:24 AM	#91
gblowfish Be Kind To Your Pets Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Glorious Independence, MO Casino cash: $16896178 VARSITY	Yellow pages list five different trophy companies in Tulsa. If you don't have a non-disclosure or non-compete claus in your employment agreement, talk to your competitors and see if they'll make you an offer. Lots of times they'll want you, not only for experience, but for your client book. If you can bring them enough business to pay your salary, then it's a win win. http://www.superpages.com/yellowpage.../S-OK/T-Tulsa/
Posts: 41,011

02-20-2012, 10:37 AM	#92
lcarus Everybody Lies. Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: 22 Acacia Avenue Casino cash: $-1719887	I looked it up, and it says my position average salary is $15 an hour. Starting pay...nice to know lol
Posts: 17,818

02-20-2012, 10:45 AM	#93
trndobrd 'Stachecicle Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: The Tolerance Box Casino cash: $2275087	Don't limit yourself to trophy shops. There are lots of places someone with creativity and decent Corel and Photoshop skills would be useful. Print shops, advertising agencies, newspapers, magazines, etc. __________________
Posts: 7,249

02-20-2012, 11:09 AM	#94
tooge MVP Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Liberty, MO Casino cash: $804112	we haven't given our staff raises on about two years either. As a business owner, it isn't always about "were doing well as a business". You may do 3-6K per day as a business, but depending on the overhead, if the company isn't growing, but rather just the same as the last two years, then giving a raise to you is taking money right out of the owners pocket. I never understand where the staff at my office thinks raise money comes from. It doesn't grow on trees. If the office revenue didn't grow, and I give raises, then my take home goes down. Yeah, that seems fair.
Posts: 17,145

02-20-2012, 11:37 AM	#96
tooge MVP Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Liberty, MO Casino cash: $804112	I'd certainly put yourself out there. Being at a place for 10 years and being only 28 years old makes you a pretty attractive hire as long as you have a skill that the employer is looking for.
Posts: 17,145

02-20-2012, 01:05 PM	#99
tooge MVP Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Liberty, MO Casino cash: $804112	you can obviously use those devices you mentioned. Is that the only thing they are used for? Perhaps looking into a graphic design type job or school?
Posts: 17,145

07-02-2012, 11:57 AM	#100
lcarus Everybody Lies. Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: 22 Acacia Avenue Casino cash: $-1719887	Update for anyone that cares (nobody probably). My dad (the GM) hired an outside dude to come in and be his assistant manager. This guy used to work here before I did, which was about 12 years ago. He only worked here for a year or two. Now keep in mind, I've basically been keeping this place afloat for years now. I've never truly been a "manager" but I've been in charge of the place really. I opened and closed, and the past few months when we were busy, I was working 10-12 hour days almost 7 days a week, sometimes up here by myself. So now I have this guy here who thinks he has authority over me, even though he really doesn't. I wouldn't be surprised if he gets paid more than me. I've been trying to get a raise for the past 3 years to no avail. So instead of promoting me to this "assistant manager" position and making the new guy take my duties of laser engraving, it's the other way around. I feel god damn betrayed. By my own father. I guess just because....the new guy is older? I don't get it. I need a new career opportunity.
Posts: 17,818

07-02-2012, 12:02 PM	#101
Ace Gunner First Overall Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: kcmo Casino cash: $10007271	Get two more minimum wage jobs. Should work out fine. __________________ The Greatest
Posts: 10,580

07-02-2012, 12:03 PM	#102
BigMeatballDave GBM 8-12-15 Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Dayton, Oh. Casino cash: $10052154	I'd be looking elsewhere. __________________ 2015 Adopt-a-Chief: Tamba Hali
Posts: 59,997

07-02-2012, 12:05 PM	#104
Sofa King Bump it Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: South Dakota Casino cash: $-200000 VARSITY	Tell him you're out.
Posts: 23,457