Am I getting screwed at my job?

[lcarus]

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?

[El Jefe]

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.

Lame. It's time you need to move on brother (IMO).

[Bowser]

You really need to be actively searching for something else. It's lean out there right now, but don't let that stop you from checking out other possibilities.

[ChiTown]

$13.50/hr?

If you are willing to work hard (physical labor), you can make +$20/hr in North Dakota in the Bakken oil shale. Those guys are screaming for labor up there. Probably not a strong market for engravers, but definitely a place for guys who are willing to bust their asses in the oil field.

[Bowser]

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

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

And this. He is your dad. Talk to him off the clock, or something.

[sedated]

That's quite a punch in the face. Something I would expect from big companies, but not your own blood.

[lcarus]

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

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

Yeah, he just says "This guy I brought in to help this place. He's gonna help us in a lot of areas. I wish I would have hired him years ago."

So I really can't do or say anything until I find a new job. I have bills and debt I have to pay, and no bankroll currently to get me by while I search for something else. If I had some money stashed away, I'd just drop this place like a hot potato and tell my asshole dad I want nothing to do with him. Unfortunately, I'm between a rock and a hard place. I'm looking though...

[The Franchise]

Take this as a push to go find a different job.

[mikeyis4dcats.]

Sorry to hear that Icky....unfortunately a lot of family business is that way. Definitely, RUN.

[lcarus]

Originally Posted by Pestilence

Take this as a push to go find a different job.

Yeah. I need to quit bitching and being upset and just find something else. That's all it really boils down to. Don't worry though, Inmem58, you're still gonna get your trophy.

[Fish]

Get the **** outta there pronto.

[Garcia Bronco]

Originally Posted by lcarus

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?

No...you should open a store down the street and put them out of business.

[ChiTown]

Originally Posted by Garcia Bronco

No...you should open a store down the street and put them out of business.

/thread over

[Bowser]

Originally Posted by Garcia Bronco

No...you should open a store down the street and put them out of business.

Why didn't I think of this? Heh.

[lcarus]

Originally Posted by Garcia Bronco

No...you should open a store down the street and put them out of business.

I wish to hell I had the credit to start a business. I know exactly what I'd need to start one.

[Skyy God]

Originally Posted by lcarus

Oh yeah, something I forgot. About 5 years ago my dad hired this woman to help with the front counter and phones. He hired her on a recommendation from my aunt, who was working the front counter at the time and needed help. He hires her, and she's the flirty type. Married with 3 kids, but eventually she ended up over at my dads house every single night. Eventually, she got her own desk and office where she does nothing but sit and play Farmville. My dad has always stood by "she's just my friend" but everyone knows better. They go take a 2 hour lunch every day, and she gets to leave every day at about 3 oclock. So she makes about the same wages as I do, but does nothing. Occasionally she will write up an order or something and make a big deal about it so it looks like she's worth something.

Yeah, it pisses me off.

In light of the above and the assistant manager hire, I'd absolutely take gblowfish's suggestion and begin discussions with competitors regarding taking your book of business elsewhere. Your dad's a giant a-hole.

Consider it as severance.