I so want to quit my job. VENT (update Reply #26)

[Waffle]

My boss just came in and asked me how long it would take for me to learn to be backup for a  colleague.  I AM SO MAD.


BACKGROUND:  A little over a year ago I interviewed for and got a new job (promotion) - same location.  During the interview process the topic of Saturday work came up (supervising the manufacturing lines).  I was asked how I felt about O.T. and I was very honest.  I told them (man who is now my boss ad the HR rep) that I was fine with staying late during the week when necessary, but I didn't want anything to do with working on the weekends.  The HR rep said that wasn't part of the job and my boss disagreed.  I told them it had been years since I'd worked the weekends and I'd have to think long and hard about whether or not I still wanted the job.  After the interview boss and HR rep came to an agreement and boss (he wasn't my boss yet) told me I would not be forced to work Saturday work; he had plenty of other supervisors available to do that.  

About a month ago we got ridiculously busy and he added me to the rooster of Saturday supervisors.  Strike 1.

Another thing that came up was backup for a certain colleague, (I had done that job years ago and knew that I didn't want to do it again).  I was told it wasn't part of the job that I was interviewing for.  And yes that is the colleague the boss just asked me how long it would take me to learn to be his backup.  I reminded the boss of the conversation during the interview and told him that I was very unhappy with this turn of events.  After a few more minutes he said he'd think about it and see what other options he had.  But, I really don't think there's much hope of me getting out of this, unless I quit.  Quitting although extremely attractive would not be prudent.

I'm stuck. 

No real question here - just a vent/rant.

[Sam_2.0]

Sorry. I hate when things change in the middle of the game and leave you with few good choices.

[The Captain]

Of course you can come here to rant all you want, it's a safe place to vent.  Rant away.

Since you seem to need the job though, it may be easier on your sanity if you try to find ways to put a positive spin on it.

1.  Hey, it's great we're so busy I get to pick up some Saturday OT - job security yea!!!
2.  I think it's fantastic they trust me enough to supervise on Saturdays when most management is not around.
3.  Wow, with the extra pay I'll get to (save for kid's college, bring more financial security to the family, etc)
4.  Gee - they want me to be cross trained in several areas, that must mean they plan on keeping me around for awhile (you should get nervous if the boss doesn't want to invest in you).

Look at it this way, there's lots of folks that have to pick up weekend work and don't get paid OT because they are salaried (like me).  Now I could say that sucks, or I could choose to be happy I have a job that enables me to provide well for my family.

Half empty, or half full?

Hope it gets better for you one way or another.

[Deleted]

Apr 22, 2014 13:19:10 GMT -5 Waffle said:

My boss just came in and asked me how long it would take for me to learn to be backup for a  colleague.  I AM SO MAD.


BACKGROUND:  A little over a year ago I interviewed for and got a new job (promotion) - same location.  During the interview process the topic of Saturday work came up (supervising the manufacturing lines).  I was asked how I felt about O.T. and I was very honest.  I told them (man who is now my boss ad the HR rep) that I was fine with staying late during the week when necessary, but I didn't want anything to do with working on the weekends.  The HR rep said that wasn't part of the job and my boss disagreed.  I told them it had been years since I'd worked the weekends and I'd have to think long and hard about whether or not I still wanted the job.  After the interview boss and HR rep came to an agreement and boss (he wasn't my boss yet) told me I would not be forced to work Saturday work; he had plenty of other supervisors available to do that.  

About a month ago we got ridiculously busy and he added me to the rooster of Saturday supervisors.  Strike 1.

Another thing that came up was backup for a certain colleague, (I had done that job years ago and knew that I didn't want to do it again).  I was told it wasn't part of the job that I was interviewing for.  And yes that is the colleague the boss just asked me how long it would take me to learn to be his backup.  I reminded the boss of the conversation during the interview and told him that I was very unhappy with this turn of events.  After a few more minutes he said he'd think about it and see what other options he had.  But, I really don't think there's much hope of me getting out of this, unless I quit.  Quitting although extremely attractive would not be prudent.

I'm stuck. 

No real question here - just a vent/rant.

Ask for a raise for the additional responsibilities added to your job description.  

[movingforward]

I'm stuck.

Well, you're stuck until you find something else.  Doesn't mean you are stuck forever...

[Waffle]

Captain - I am salaried - No OT money.  I probably shouldn't have called it OT.  I'm just used to calling it OT - because we refer to it as OT because of all of the hourly workers for whom it is OT.  I definitely do need an attitude adjustment.


Archie - maybe if and when I get in a better frame of mind about it I can ask for a raise. 

[The Captain]

Apr 22, 2014 13:32:38 GMT -5 Waffle said:

Captain - I am salaried - No OT money.  I probably shouldn't have called it OT.  I'm just used to calling it OT - because we refer to it as OT because of all of the hourly workers for whom it is OT.  I definitely do need an attitude adjustment.


Archie - maybe if and when I get in a better frame of mind about it I can ask for a raise. 

Oh, alright then.  It does suck!

[Deleted]

Apr 22, 2014 13:32:38 GMT -5 Waffle said:

Captain - I am salaried - No OT money.  I probably shouldn't have called it OT.  I'm just used to calling it OT - because we refer to it as OT because of all of the hourly workers for whom it is OT.  I definitely do need an attitude adjustment.


Archie - maybe if and when I get in a better frame of mind about it I can ask for a raise. 

No, that is something you have to do right away. Once you are doing it at your current pay it is much harder to renegotiate.

[michelyn8]

Apr 22, 2014 13:19:10 GMT -5 Waffle said:

My boss just came in and asked me how long it would take for me to learn to be backup for a  colleague.  I AM SO MAD.


BACKGROUND:  A little over a year ago I interviewed for and got a new job (promotion) - same location.  During the interview process the topic of Saturday work came up (supervising the manufacturing lines).  I was asked how I felt about O.T. and I was very honest.  I told them (man who is now my boss ad the HR rep) that I was fine with staying late during the week when necessary, but I didn't want anything to do with working on the weekends.  The HR rep said that wasn't part of the job and my boss disagreed.  I told them it had been years since I'd worked the weekends and I'd have to think long and hard about whether or not I still wanted the job.  After the interview boss and HR rep came to an agreement and boss (he wasn't my boss yet) told me I would not be forced to work Saturday work; he had plenty of other supervisors available to do that.  

About a month ago we got ridiculously busy and he added me to the rooster of Saturday supervisors.  Strike 1.

Another thing that came up was backup for a certain colleague, (I had done that job years ago and knew that I didn't want to do it again).  I was told it wasn't part of the job that I was interviewing for.  And yes that is the colleague the boss just asked me how long it would take me to learn to be his backup.  I reminded the boss of the conversation during the interview and told him that I was very unhappy with this turn of events.  After a few more minutes he said he'd think about it and see what other options he had.  But, I really don't think there's much hope of me getting out of this, unless I quit.  Quitting although extremely attractive would not be prudent.

I'm stuck. 

No real question here - just a vent/rant.

Unfortunately just because something is not part of a job when you accept it, doesn't mean it can't be added in the future.  

When I took a promotion in 2004, there were three of us in the office - me who worked full time and two others that worked 4 days a week.  One was being let go and I was getting her job.  I asked and was told that the other part time lady would begin working full time.  Not only that, she was going to be the one handling payroll which I wasn't crazy about but accepted as I would still be doing what I really wanted to be doing.  About 5 months later, I came in on a Friday and she was out.  When I asked where she was, I was told she would be off on Fridays from now on.  Since she was the receptionist, this left me with the phones (no voice mail) which ticked me off.  And Fridays were payday so I had to field any questions about checks that were wrong, not picked up by the foremen, etc.  So not only was I not given advance notice of the new arrangement, I had to cover her work plus handle my own.  I was livid and didn't hide my feelings at all but short of quitting, there wasn't much I could do about it. 

So I sympathize and understand your need to vent. 

[tskeeter]

I'd consider approaching it like this.  Ask how long the Saturday gig is going to be for.  If it's only for a few weeks, indicate your willingness to be a team player and suck up the additional hours.  If it's for an unspecified period of time, raise the issue of a pay increase.  Your employer is asking you to increase your work hours by 20%.  Certainly they wouldn't expect you to work all those additional hours for free, especially considering how much of your free time you would be gining up, and how profitable the additional business will be because all of the fixed expenses are already covered by the Monday - Friday work.  If the company is going to enjoy highly profitable business because you're working on weekends, they'd be happy to share the rewards with the people whose work is generating those rewards, right?

[lazysundays]

Working weekends (if not OT) frees up a day during the week for job hunts/ interviews

[lazysundays]

We are open 24/7 at this hospital jobs. Some of the managers do rate weekends without shift differential, but they DO get a weekday off. Just ask if it matters what day you get off or if you get to choose (kinda a polite way of approaching the "you don't think I'm doing all these hours on top of my week")

[Waffle]

Apr 22, 2014 17:24:52 GMT -5 lazysundays said:

Working weekends (if not OT) frees up a day during the week for job hunts/ interviews

maybe where you work. no pay and no comp time.

[Ava]

Waffle; I'm sorry.
It sucks when you feel impotent and still have to be there because you need the job.
Maybe it's a temporary situation.
You should talk to your boss once you can handle the conversations without sounding angry or stressed. You can think of possible options once you have the whole picture.

[whoisjohngalt]

I don't have anything useful or intelligent to add, so I will just say "sorry" and I think it sucks.

I sometimes wonder if employers got so freaking cocky over the last few years that they think they can get away with anything

I hope one way or another the situation gets better for you

[Sharon]

Apr 22, 2014 17:52:25 GMT -5 Waffle said:

Apr 22, 2014 17:24:52 GMT -5 lazysundays said:

Working weekends (if not OT) frees up a day during the week for job hunts/ interviews

maybe where you work. no pay and no comp time.

I didn't realize we work at the same place.   Only my duties were added after a massive layoff. It was pretty clear I would take the extra duties and shut up about it unless I wished to be included with the layoffs.  The fact that they are probably violating state law by mixing duties between exempt and non-exempt employees does not matter to the company.

DD was married in December and will graduate college this June I feel more leeway to be able to start looking for something different.  I can't wait for the day when I can bedazzle "I KWIT" on my butt.

[Deleted]

Ugh. Just Ugh.

When you are in a calm frame of mind my suggestion would be:
Post your job title and rough salary (or primary duties of the job if the title doesn't represent a market job) and whether you are in UHCOLA, HCOLA, MCOLA, LCOLA. Let us be impartial judges of whether salary appears fair for content & location. 

Or you can look it up on Salary.com or Glassdoor.com and get information on the range of salaries for your role 

Paint on a happy face and tell your boss that you are really excited that they recognize your value and flexibility in the roles you can fill for them. Then schedule a meeting with him to review your salary placement in the company pay range and the market data you have collected. Ignore the hours being asked and just focus on the clear value you deliver to the company whether it is cross-over roles or flexibility in assignments or results.

Or dust off the resume and start looking externally. This is actually the best way to improve your pay. Hopefully there are thriving companies within commute distance for you where you can get a salaried job without weekends!

[moon/Laura]

I'm going to do some paraphrasing and bolding for emphasis, sorry..

Apr 22, 2014 13:19:10 GMT -5 Waffle said:

My boss just came in and asked me how long it would take for me to learn to be backup for a  colleague.  I AM SO MAD.


BACKGROUND:  A little over a year ago I interviewed for and got a new job (promotion) - same location.  During the interview process the topic of Saturday work came up (supervising the manufacturing lines).  I was asked how I felt about O.T. and I was very honest.  I told them (man who is now my boss ad the HR rep) that I was fine with staying late during the week when necessary, but I didn't want anything to do with working on the weekends.  ....After the interview boss and HR rep came to an agreement and boss (he wasn't my boss yet) told me I would not be forced to work Saturday work; he had plenty of other supervisors available to do that.  

About a month ago we got ridiculously busy and he added me to the rooster of Saturday supervisors.

Is the Saturday work over and above regular hours for the other supervisors as well? If so, then I really have to question why you think you should be treated any differently. I know you had an "agreement", but there will always be times where you need to suck it up and be a team player, even if you don't like it.

[Waffle]

Moonbeam - I only seem to be a "supervisor" when it's convenient.  On a day to day basis I do not supervise anybody.  Supervisor is not in my job title.  I am a production planner - it's basically an office job. Traditionally the production planner has not been pulled out to supervise people any time of the week, let alone weekends.

Because historically (I've been here 30 years) the production planner was not used as a supervisor, I was really surprised when the subject even came up in the interview. 


 "there will always be times where you need to suck it up and be a team player, even if you don't like it."  - agreed, hence "i'm stuck" 

[moon/Laura]

Got it, waffle. Thanks. I hadn't really seen a lot of the history prior to this so I really wasn't certain exactly what the scenario was. 

[jkapp]

I got to that same point with my last job - I kept having to add duties or help out other people, yet none of them were allowed to help me out with my work. Others were allowed flexible working schedules (even my supervisor) yet I was not. It got to the point where I was helping to cover people's work so they could leave early on a Friday, and I was stuck there until well after 5:00 in order to finish my own workload.

Then one day, we had a meeting and another department, in order to save time on their end, was requiring me to add notes to our system when doing certain changes which would add hours of additional work to my weekly workload.  The next day I turned in my two-week notice.

Sometimes they can only push you so far. I don't live to work at that company

[Waffle]

Apr 23, 2014 8:58:45 GMT -5 moon/Laura said:

Got it, waffle. Thanks. I hadn't really seen a lot of the history prior to this so I really wasn't certain exactly what the scenario was. 

No problem.  I was just really emotional about it yesterday when I posted.  Looked at more dispassionately, the good things about my job probably still outweigh the bad.   Unfortunately, I just keep focusing on the bad things. 

[moon/Laura]

Don't feel bad. The only thing that makes my job at all worthwhile is my coworkers. Otherwise, it's monotonous, non-rewarding, and a dead end - in that I'm a contractor and will never be hired despite 9 years of doing a good job. I also get furloughed every quarter.

I don't leave, though, because if I did, I would probably have to work nights, which I don't want because of my son. I also work 12 hr shifts, 3 days one week, and 4 the next, so it's nice to have a 3 or 4 day weekend every week. Trade offs.

[Waffle]

My boss just left my office.  I feel both relieved and guilty.  He apologized for "offending me".  I told him I wasn't offended.  He said well you were upset and I said yes I was upset.  We talked for a few minutes and I do not have to be backup for the colleague.  (He's got two other plans to deal with colleague's vacations).

I still have to work Saturdays - but that's at least just cyclical usually Saturday work happens for a few months out of the year.  And it's not every Saturday.

[Regis]

So you had a face-to-face conversation with you boss and the problem was resolved?  Who woulda thunk something like that would actually work?