greedy? would you be happy?

[sloth]

I am currently paid 9.75 an hour for working 8-5, getting an 'hour' unpaid lunch, which works out at 78.03 a day.

I normally arrive 15 minutes early and rarely leave before 5:15. Often I will cut my hour lunch down by half, or eat while driving to the next job to ensure I don't finish too late, as an hour overtime paid at standard rate after tax isn't worth me not having diner with my wife and newborn daughter, and basically ruining what little time we have together before bed.

I have been with the company 3 and half years, at the interview I was told the wage was to be reviewed and increased according to skill after a few months, it never was. It has however increased by about 1.7%, as has everyone else's.

I don't want to blow my own horn but I am a very competent climber of 6yrs, and as good as his main climber who has been climbing twice as long as me. I have the usual saw nptcs, plus pesticides, brushcutting and waiting for tech cert management day results after passing written papers with 1 credit and the rest distinctions (all paid for by myself). Also an ipaf which he paid for last year.

I know he pays my labourer about 8 quid a day less than me, and he has no qualifications at all, not even crosscutting, and can't even drive the vehicles now due to points on his licence! My other climber, who is not very good having only been climbing about a year and a half is paid a couple of quid a day less than me.

I have asked for a rise and been told he can't afford it and that money is tight. Since then he has bought a large composter and 15 grands worth of tractor to power it. I know from his cousin who also works with us that work is booked up till well past Xmas. He has a vintage ferrari, drives a 330 BMW, and has been on 3 two week holidays abroad plus several long weekends in this country this year alone.

We are based in Essex, and do work in a lot of affluent areas.

My point to this rant is am I right to feel I'm worth more, or am I unjust and greedy asking for it?

Thanks for reading this far, sorry for rambling!

Edited October 30, 2010 by sloth

[Mick Stockbridge]

No I wouldn't be happy if I were you, but then again I was never happy working for others so I started on my own. Why don't you do the same.

[Mozza]

A jobs a job these days tho, Sounds like its pretty secure aswell, If you dont like it, Leave, Simples!!!

[PeteB]

Remember that the guy you work for, runs a business for his benefit not yours. If you think that you would be better paid elsewhere, please exercise your rights and leave.

 

I would feel a tad undervalued as well, but, you have a job with some security and you are paid as well as many others in this trade.

 

Good luck with the future - you've just taken the first step!

[grumpydavesmith]

My advice would be to push your feelers out for another job, and a subtle hint to ur boss that your looking for a better job. Why not start preparing now to go it alone?? The odd job on a saturday or day off would soon burst your earnings., or how about little firewood business? There is money to be had you just got to find it. Companies are never gonna pay big bucks but i believe a decent bloke deserves decent pay!! " pay peanuts u get monkeys"

[Andy Collins]

Firstly, I dont think you are being unreasonable in your search for a better deal. With a young family, you also have to consider any benefits from the state, and how an increase would diminish those. A pay rise may well actually cost you more than it gains, wrong tho it is.

In a way, I think the boss is treating you all very much the same in what, economically, have been very tough times, having given you a small pay rise across the board, and with in a little, paying you all pretty much all the same wage, and that way is being fair to all.

So he has taken holidays, he is also taking a large financial risk, maybe suffering sleepless nights worrying about where the next jobs are coming from to keep you and yours in a wage and paying for expensive equipment to continue employing you all. Perhaps there are times when he doesnt even draw a wage to make sure you get paid, believe me it happens.

Just be careful what you wish for, the grass isnt always greener.

[White Noise]

Your lucky to have a job at the moment . Theres always someone worse off than yourself . Do what you think is right . Start subbing a weekends .

[James Cantle]

if i was you i would be worried about him reading or finding out about this post... you might be out of a job quicker than thinking about gettin a better wage...

[Stephen Blair]

what the boss does with his money has nothing to do with it. You leave at night and come to work the next day and everything has magically been fixed, renewed and the magic job list fairy has given you some more work for you to go and do, the vehicles will be serviced, insured, fueled up as usual and everything seems very simple to an employee because it is for an employee.

Forget what your labourer earns, that's a diferent matter. Climbers can be pre madonnas and think it is all about them, they demand this and that and think the company will fall apart the second they are gone. A good labourer is priceless, they are a diferent breed. They don't moan or groan or feel hard done by, what needs lifting and where do you want it taken simples.

I think you need to focus on what is the REAL problem, you say you have a new born, this is a very dificult time for new mums and dads, now you are not the main priority in your life, the baby is, then your partner, then any pets, then the bills and if you are lucky, YOU.

My advice(that i would be too stubborn to take myself lol) is right a letter to your boss with all the things on it you are worried about and want fixing, date is 1 month from now and put it out your head, go to work and just climb the trees and know that that letter is there and in 1 month it will al be sorted. Focus your day on your little one, there smiling little face and think of things you can do o help your mrs and make her happier, then when the month is up, re read the letter and if you still feel the same, give it to your boss.

I would say by the title of your thread you KNOW you are being greedy, you have told us why you are annoyed, you have given the reasons in your question.

Sometimes the rant in your head seems like something a president has written and then when in black and white it doesn't seem as good. Your boss put the clothes on your back and pays your mortgage, he is not the big bad person here. when is the last time you told him how much you appreciatte the work and how gratefull you are to him? i bet never. You don't know his problems, he doesn't know yours. Sit down and have a chat, man to man.

Edited October 30, 2010 by Stephen Blair

[ecolojim]

it's more than I earn in the oh so bloated public sector