brenda collins Posted June 1, 2008 Posted June 1, 2008 Hi, I hope someone can help me out here as I just have no clue what to do. I have been working in a top clothes boutique part time for 6 years. I am 22 now and have been working there on the weekends and during holidays throughout school and a couple of days a week whilst at uni. I am very close to my boss and his co owner(they co own it) and my mum is also a regular customer at the shop and spends a lot of money. A couple of months ago my boss offered me a full time position for when I finish uni. He offered me a share in the business, a management position and told me he would take me buying etc etc. Obviously this is a big descion, so we agreed that I would work full time after I finished uni until January and then I could decide if it was def for me. This was a few months ago, I have now finished uni and have not planned anything as I was relying on having a full time position in this boutique. My boss has not mentioned it for a while now and has been acting very strange with me. There is also a new girl who has just started working 4-5 days a week now, she used to just work sundays but now seems to be working almost full time. This has been worrying me as there is no need for both of us to work their and I cant see how he will get rid of her. I am basically scared I have lost my promised position to her. I know that she does not know anything about what I was offerred as she asked me what I was going to do after uni. I went in the other day after my exams had finished and although my boss was away, i asked the deputy boss when he needed me and he said that he did not because he had this new girl and I was covered and to come in on my usual one day next week... This has worried me even more. To top it all off I found out that this girl and my other coworkers who have worked their much less time than me and are no where near as dedicated as I am earn ten pounds more than me a day. My boss personally writes us cheques, so I am pretty sure he is aware of this. I now dont know how to deal with this situation. I am around for three weeks and then go away for three weeks. So I would not properly be able to start my full time position until after my holiday how should I confront these issues?? I feel so betrayed about the money and the fact my boss may not keep his promise to me about a full time position. Advice please
Author brenda collins Posted June 1, 2008 Author Posted June 1, 2008 please someone I have no dea what to do and am panicking about my future
tinktronik Posted June 1, 2008 Posted June 1, 2008 Ask your boss outright when you will start your full time position and if he will put it in writing.
Trialbyfire Posted June 1, 2008 Posted June 1, 2008 If he hedges or doesn't back up his promise, at minimum, solicit a letter of reference from him/her since you're going to need a full-time job.
Author brenda collins Posted June 1, 2008 Author Posted June 1, 2008 what should I do about the fact that I am getting paid less than everybody else?? also i feel betrayed by this money situation and will feel even more betrayed if he does not keep to his promise. should I let him know he has upset me I have worked their five years.
tinktronik Posted June 1, 2008 Posted June 1, 2008 what should I do about the fact that I am getting paid less than everybody else?? also i feel betrayed by this money situation and will feel even more betrayed if he does not keep to his promise. should I let him know he has upset me I have worked their five years. Really, it is professionally speaking, none of your business what your co-workers get paid. You should not base your salary requirements on what the company pays someone else. However if you feel you deserve a raise , ask for one.
Gordon's Right Posted June 11, 2008 Posted June 11, 2008 You have a right to be upset. But in a way, you are being shady too, by not saying anything. Just go to your boss, and ask them why your newer co-workers are making more than you. And if the offer is still on the table for the future.
Ronni_W Posted June 11, 2008 Posted June 11, 2008 what should I do about the fact that I am getting paid less than everybody else?? also i feel betrayed by this money situation and will feel even more betrayed if he does not keep to his promise. should I let him know he has upset me I have worked their five years. I agree with GR. Say that you've discovered a wage disparity and ASK if it was just an oversight on their part, that they will now be correcting. Also ASK about your future prospects within the organization. As long as negotiations are open, I'd try to keep emotions of upset and betrayal out of the equation. Most view those as being unprofessional and signs of weakness is the workplace. But even if he does renege on his promise, I'm still not sure that you will serve yourself best by "having a go" and unloading on him/them. The truth is that they do have a right to change their minds, create new business plans and make different business decisions that they feel are best for the over-all. Yes, it does suck and is hurtful. It speaks to their cowardice and lack of integrity, really. If it is that they are capable of squeezing out a valuable, long-term and loyal employee in this way...to my mind, you are so much better off without them. Imagine if you had made the mistake of putting your full-time career in the hands of the likes of these!
MILLY2007 Posted July 6, 2008 Posted July 6, 2008 If you want to work/invest there, best to have a meeting with your boss and clearly lay out the foundations of your new working arrangements. If you were thinking of investing in the company, then it's good to know exactly what sort of person you are dealing with BEFORE you enter into any long term arrangements! This whole current situation is a good opportunity to have a glimpse of exactly what sort of future business partner you can expect to have!
stillafool Posted July 6, 2008 Posted July 6, 2008 Yes, it's time to grow up now. Schedule a meeting with your boss and ask him when you will start your new job and ask what the job pays. Since this is a new position why assume you aren't going to make more money. Whatever you do do not tell him you know the others make 10 pounds more as this is none of your business. Personally I think this guy has changed his mind and hasn't let you know.
PrincessBOT Posted July 7, 2008 Posted July 7, 2008 To top it all off I found out that this girl and my other coworkers who have worked their much less time than me and are no where near as dedicated as I am earn ten pounds more than me a day. My boss personally writes us cheques, so I am pretty sure he is aware of this. I now dont know how to deal with this situation. I am around for three weeks and then go away for three weeks. So I would not properly be able to start my full time position until after my holiday how should I confront these issues?? I feel so betrayed about the money and the fact my boss may not keep his promise to me about a full time position. Advice please I had a similar situation at work where I heard that new people had starting salaries higher than the people who had been there for 2 years. Later after a couple of the new people complained about their pay it confirmed that they were starting at significantly less than what I heard and below the workers who had been there. My point is unless one of those other workers personally told you what they make and/or you are willing to take legal action don't even mention it. I am in the US and here it is like a sin to talk about compensation, may be different in the UK, but either way I don't think your boss will like it. If you are wrong you have no recourse and will have definitely hurt you chances. As far getting the position you were offered I think you should in your most humble and nonconfrontational manner tell your boss that the time has come for you to implement your career plan. Then ask him about hashing out the details of the offer he gave you on whatever day. So, if you know the exact date or month he made the off you should add the date to show how serious you took the offer. Also start on plan B now, because if he changed his mind you should be ready to ask for the letter of reference during the same meeting, whether you actually need it or not. You will be letting him know that you will be leaving specifically because of this issue... Next time get an offer letter from any job you are offered.
BklynGuy Posted August 15, 2008 Posted August 15, 2008 This stuff happens. I had a job where the girl I was replacing was working there for 5 years as an admin. assistant. The boss promised her the #2 position when she returned from a short vacation. Upon her return, the boss hired a friends son for the position, so she felt betrayed and left. The boss's reasoning was she didn't think this girl could handle the #2 position although she knew all the in's and out's of the job. Ultimately, every organization will do what serves it's interests best - NOT YOURS. I worked there for a year but there were various instances of on the job problems due to the #1 & #2's belief systems. I was more like an office manager than an admin. assistant. Salaried position, long hours, no days off -EVER! I had another job where the manager went out on maternity leave, and they hired another person who remained manager after her return. It happens.
daisypicker Posted August 28, 2008 Posted August 28, 2008 Speak with your boss. The one who is hurt by this limbo is you so it is up to you to take action. My advice is to ask about the promised full-time management position first. If you aren't going to be getting that after all then the pay question is probably moot.
BklynGuy Posted September 1, 2008 Posted September 1, 2008 Ask about the position and keep your options open. If it doesn't work out for you there, there's a BIG world out there and someone will see you for your potential.
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