NYC-BigKat Posted November 20, 2014 Posted November 20, 2014 I been so so busy at work its terrible . I feel bad about this too. It seems to me that the bosses are really really taking advantage of me by making me work every single weekend & the hours keep changing from day to day like I came in at 8am yesterday & then 10am the day before & 9am before that & I don't understand why & when I asked one of the supervisors about it he says he needs me to fill in on projects and backup projects that are left undone from other workers. Huh? But why only me? Um...I also have to work every single holiday & its so so draining u know . It feels like sexual discrimination too 'cause some of the other guys work holidays but not all. Its just me having to work all holidays but the girls always gets off & they get off weekends too. I complained about it to the mgr & he asks me if I like my job & wanna keep it just be quiet & do what needs to be done. I feel so abused & alone. I really wanna quit but my salary base is over $45,000 so I hesitate to do so. Will it get better in time? Any others going through similar abuse & not just me? Is it worth the $$ to stay?
Got it Posted November 20, 2014 Posted November 20, 2014 I been so so busy at work its terrible . I feel bad about this too. It seems to me that the bosses are really really taking advantage of me by making me work every single weekend & the hours keep changing from day to day like I came in at 8am yesterday & then 10am the day before & 9am before that & I don't understand why & when I asked one of the supervisors about it he says he needs me to fill in on projects and backup projects that are left undone from other workers. Huh? But why only me? Um...I also have to work every single holiday & its so so draining u know . It feels like sexual discrimination too 'cause some of the other guys work holidays but not all. Its just me having to work all holidays but the girls always gets off & they get off weekends too. I complained about it to the mgr & he asks me if I like my job & wanna keep it just be quiet & do what needs to be done. I feel so abused & alone. I really wanna quit but my salary base is over $45,000 so I hesitate to do so. Will it get better in time? Any others going through similar abuse & not just me? Is it worth the $$ to stay? Okay, are you working hourly, or non-exempt? How are schedules done? Weekly, biweekly, monthly? Are you retail/hospitality/etc. that is impacted by the holidays? Are you in your company's busy season? In regards to sexual discrimination - are women working weekends and holidays or not? I am a little confused by your statement. What is your tenure in the company? I don't agree with what your manager told you, that was inappropriate. Do you have an HR rep you can talk to?
Frank2thepoint Posted November 20, 2014 Posted November 20, 2014 Damn, that's messed up. What's worst is your manager basically threatened you to perform or you get fired. I don't know if it will get better, but I suggest for you to start looking for another job that will treat you better. Are you at least compensated for the extra hours you do?
Easyguy14 Posted November 20, 2014 Posted November 20, 2014 Okay, are you working hourly, or non-exempt? How are schedules done? Weekly, biweekly, monthly? Are you retail/hospitality/etc. that is impacted by the holidays? Are you in your company's busy season? In regards to sexual discrimination - are women working weekends and holidays or not? I am a little confused by your statement. What is your tenure in the company? I don't agree with what your manager told you, that was inappropriate. Do you have an HR rep you can talk to? I understood said users post perfectly and it's clear that he states the women don't work holidays nor weekends but he always has to. That's a damn tough break but the pay is decent enough to hold out a little longer I think. I'm also assuming this job said user is at doesn't have union rep. I feel that's why they're taking advantage like that. I work for myself so no worries there. I think said user should start seeking another job option on every off-day he gets because this doesn't look to be going away. I been down this road before.
preraph Posted November 20, 2014 Posted November 20, 2014 Maybe they do this to the new guys and let the more senior people off. Look at how long everyone has been there and see if that makes sense. If so, it will end one day.
MidwestUSA Posted November 20, 2014 Posted November 20, 2014 Oh, Kat, I was so happy for you when you got this job! And that's pretty good money (well, it would be where I live). Can you hang in there and just kind of see how things are done? Someone has a good point about the newbie, or low man on the pole. Sometimes you just have to suck it up. It's a good sign that they trust you to come in and finish up projects that others have left undone, isn't it? Make yourself valuable as the 'go to guy', that's all I can suggest. Hang in there.
Quiet Storm Posted November 20, 2014 Posted November 20, 2014 Things like vacation days and holidays are often decided based on seniority or negotiated at the time of hiring. For example, maybe a woman said "I have kids and need off on Halloween & Christmas Eve. Will this be a problem?" and if they agreed to it, it's not really a "dig" on you, it's just an arrangement between her and the company. Any regulations about this type of thing depend on your state, and normally the number of employees. Small business, for example, are often exempt from many of the employment practices that large companies must adhere to. Large corporations are often very "by the book", and are careful to apply the same standards to everyone. Smaller companies are often more "case by case", and exceptions are made & terms are more negotiable. When I first started working in the 90s, when the economy was booming, it was a very different climate. Employees had much more power. Employers were willing to offer all kinds of incentives and bonuses. They'd negotiate your hours and use things like benefits and vacation time as tools bargaining chips to get & keep good employees. That was back when the Employment Section of the newspaper was full of job offers and help was wanted everywhere. Now, it is very different. There are more people than jobs, so employers aren't as motivated to negotiate. The attitude is evolving into "It's a privilege for you to work here, and if you don't like it, someone is waiting to take your place". So I think you should look for another job, but try to stick this out until you have a new job lined up. There just aren't that many opportunities these days, and while what is happening is unfair, it is tolerable until you find another job. Also, you have to detach yourself a little and not take this personally. Like I said, these other employees may have pre-negotiated hours/days off that were agreed to long ago. Let's say that you were an office manager and a valuable employee said to you "I've been here five years now, have a family and no longer want to work holidays." As her manager, you recognize that she is competent, a hard worker, well liked, etc., and you agree to it because she is a valuable employee that you want to keep happy. Then you hire another person to pick up the slack and work holidays, but then this guy feels taken advantage of because he has to work all the holidays. It's very easy to see how the new employee could resent it and feel targeted, but in reality, it's not personal at all. 1
clia Posted November 20, 2014 Posted November 20, 2014 I been so so busy at work its terrible . I feel bad about this too. It seems to me that the bosses are really really taking advantage of me by making me work every single weekend & the hours keep changing from day to day like I came in at 8am yesterday & then 10am the day before & 9am before that & I don't understand why & when I asked one of the supervisors about it he says he needs me to fill in on projects and backup projects that are left undone from other workers. Huh? But why only me? Are you sure it's only you? Are you a salaried employee? Do you have an employment agreement? When you interviewed, what was said about hours, working weekends, etc.? It's really hard to say whether what they are doing is out of line without knowing what you do for a living. For example, I work at a law firm and it is very common for new associates to have to come in and work on the weekends and work late in order to meet deadlines; that's part of the job. Are you in a similar type of job? I seem to recall that you have some kind of financial degree? Um...I also have to work every single holiday & its so so draining u know . Have you asked for holidays off? How is working on holidays scheduled? You are fairly new to the job, aren't you? Is it seniority based? It feels like sexual discrimination too 'cause some of the other guys work holidays but not all. Its just me having to work all holidays but the girls always gets off & they get off weekends too. Are the girls more senior? I complained about it to the mgr & he asks me if I like my job & wanna keep it just be quiet & do what needs to be done. I feel so abused & alone. I really wanna quit but my salary base is over $45,000 so I hesitate to do so. Will it get better in time? Any others going through similar abuse & not just me? Is it worth the $$ to stay? If you hate it, start looking for another job. 1
GemmaUK Posted November 20, 2014 Posted November 20, 2014 Did you sign a contract? For the record my last 9 months have been pretty awful workwise and next year will be just as bad due to deadline dates clashing. I know how it feels to work from 9am until 11pm with no lunch break and work weekends too. I'm seeing HR as soon as I can with help on how to negotiate things. It wouldn't be so bad if I got paid overtime but I don't and also in finance we don't get the quarterly bonus that the rest of the company gets either. I empathise. Wish I earned as much as you do though!
Author NYC-BigKat Posted November 20, 2014 Author Posted November 20, 2014 Oh, Kat, I was so happy for you when you got this job! And that's pretty good money (well, it would be where I live). Can you hang in there and just kind of see how things are done? Someone has a good point about the newbie, or low man on the pole. Sometimes you just have to suck it up. It's a good sign that they trust you to come in and finish up projects that others have left undone, isn't it? Make yourself valuable as the 'go to guy', that's all I can suggest. Hang in there. Yea the big boss called me the go-to-guy & laughed. I thought he was trying to be funny u know . I do get my overtime money & I actually wanted to quit last week after working til 10 at night but when my direct deposit came in & I saw all that money I decided not to. I don't know. I been there about 5-6 months & I still feel picked on. There's 2 other girls that been there less & they get all the holidays & weekends off. Whenever I asked for one, the boss says hell no & and just gives me a day off in the week like today. The other guys been there longer than me so I am the newest "guy" but those 2 girls are more new & they get off the hook alot. Its a gender thing right?
Author NYC-BigKat Posted November 20, 2014 Author Posted November 20, 2014 Did you sign a contract? For the record my last 9 months have been pretty awful workwise and next year will be just as bad due to deadline dates clashing. I know how it feels to work from 9am until 11pm with no lunch break and work weekends too. I'm seeing HR as soon as I can with help on how to negotiate things. It wouldn't be so bad if I got paid overtime but I don't and also in finance we don't get the quarterly bonus that the rest of the company gets either. I empathise. Wish I earned as much as you do though! Yea I signed a contract last summer & agreed to work weekends but I didn't think it was gonna be every single weekend u know . Kinda work in finance but its only 17 of us & it seems more like a dating place than actual work. I feel like the only one really seriously working. Some days its not so bad but then other times its terrible. By the way I just got my driver's licence 'cause the boss kept nagging me about it so he can send me out to different sites. I cant park right so that's a problem & I got ticketed a few weeks ago being too far from the curb 'cause I didn't wanna hit the 2 cars between me . I will try to hang in there but there's so much responsibility it drives me crazy. I hate driving to other sites too. Its so different & weird. I just wish the other new girls would get a taste of some of this, not trying to be mean but u know.
newmoon Posted November 20, 2014 Posted November 20, 2014 Yea I signed a contract last summer & agreed to work weekends but I didn't think it was gonna be every single weekend u know . Kinda work in finance but its only 17 of us & it seems more like a dating place than actual work. I feel like the only one really seriously working. Some days its not so bad but then other times its terrible. By the way I just got my driver's licence 'cause the boss kept nagging me about it so he can send me out to different sites. I cant park right so that's a problem & I got ticketed a few weeks ago being too far from the curb 'cause I didn't wanna hit the 2 cars between me . I will try to hang in there but there's so much responsibility it drives me crazy. I hate driving to other sites too. Its so different & weird. I just wish the other new girls would get a taste of some of this, not trying to be mean but u know. comes across that maybe you're not a hard worker and want it easy as you think the rest of the group has it. the thing is, what you see isn't often the reality. your workmates might be doing other tasks/assignments that you're not even aware of and the only thing you're focused on is what time you get to leave or come in compared to them. naturally you have rights and are entitled to whatever schedule or days off they agreed upon, but if you signed a weekend contact and it didn't say anything like 'one weekend a month' then you knew what you were doing. and you don't know what contracts other people signed and for what pay. they might be making less and can do less. it sounds like you just signed on because of the salary and didn't realize it came with work.
Author NYC-BigKat Posted November 21, 2014 Author Posted November 21, 2014 comes across that maybe you're not a hard worker and want it easy as you think the rest of the group has it. the thing is, what you see isn't often the reality. your workmates might be doing other tasks/assignments that you're not even aware of and the only thing you're focused on is what time you get to leave or come in compared to them. naturally you have rights and are entitled to whatever schedule or days off they agreed upon, but if you signed a weekend contact and it didn't say anything like 'one weekend a month' then you knew what you were doing. and you don't know what contracts other people signed and for what pay. they might be making less and can do less. it sounds like you just signed on because of the salary and didn't realize it came with work. I work very hard. I once worked 8 days in a row & only got a day off 'cause I asked for it. My schedule is day to day. That sucks u know. I cant plan any stuff 'cause I just dont know what will happen next. Seems like no one else is going through this right now .
MidwestUSA Posted November 21, 2014 Posted November 21, 2014 comes across that maybe you're not a hard worker and want it easy as you think the rest of the group has it. the thing is, what you see isn't often the reality. your workmates might be doing other tasks/assignments that you're not even aware of and the only thing you're focused on is what time you get to leave or come in compared to them. naturally you have rights and are entitled to whatever schedule or days off they agreed upon, but if you signed a weekend contact and it didn't say anything like 'one weekend a month' then you knew what you were doing. and you don't know what contracts other people signed and for what pay. they might be making less and can do less. it sounds like you just signed on because of the salary and didn't realize it came with work. If you'd read Kat's history, you'd know this isn't true. He just wants to do his job, and he's in an environment of high jinks, flirting, and borderline sexual harassment. He's also working a ridiculous number of hours. He's keeping his nose to the grindstone, and it sounds to me as if management is taking advantage of that. Kat, you're sorta still in the 'proving yourself' phase. Keep looking at those big paychecks, and give yourself a great Christmas. Maybe after the first of the year would be a good time to schedule a meeting with a manager and bring up your concerns. It does seem as if they aren't taking you seriously, so maybe come back here for some advice on how to let them know you mean business. Does your employer have an EAP (employee assistance program)? Good luck! 1
whichwayisup Posted November 21, 2014 Posted November 21, 2014 If this job is stressing you out and the hours you're putting in is too much, then do talk to your boss. Tell him that you work hard and because you do, you feel taken advantage of because you're reliable and do a good job you feel you're getting the short end of the stick (so many weekends and nights) meanwhile others may not be pulling their weight (including those two other newer girls) and don't have to work those types of hours that you do. Money isn't worth it if you're mentally unhappy and stressed out/tired all the time. There are other jobs that could make you happier, so start looking to see what else is out there. Never know until you look and something could fall your way with similar pay.
MidwestUSA Posted November 21, 2014 Posted November 21, 2014 If this job is stressing you out and the hours you're putting in is too much, then do talk to your boss. Tell him that you work hard and because you do, you feel taken advantage of because you're reliable and do a good job you feel you're getting the short end of the stick (so many weekends and nights) meanwhile others may not be pulling their weight (including those two other newer girls) and don't have to work those types of hours that you do. Money isn't worth it if you're mentally unhappy and stressed out/tired all the time. There are other jobs that could make you happier, so start looking to see what else is out there. Never know until you look and something could fall your way with similar pay. Great advice. I asked about an EAP because if they have one, he'd have some backing regarding the stress it's causing him. Eventually, that workload will take a toll on the body as well. I am in the camp of him trying to work it out however, because I know how long it took him to get this job, and what he went thru in the process. But, the work experience will look good on a resume should he decide to seek greener pastures. I'm just hoping he can get a year in. 1
Got it Posted November 21, 2014 Posted November 21, 2014 Yea the big boss called me the go-to-guy & laughed. I thought he was trying to be funny u know . I do get my overtime money & I actually wanted to quit last week after working til 10 at night but when my direct deposit came in & I saw all that money I decided not to. I don't know. I been there about 5-6 months & I still feel picked on. There's 2 other girls that been there less & they get all the holidays & weekends off. Whenever I asked for one, the boss says hell no & and just gives me a day off in the week like today. The other guys been there longer than me so I am the newest "guy" but those 2 girls are more new & they get off the hook alot. Its a gender thing right? Okay, well in the US discrimination is only illegal if it is against a protected characteristic. Male, is not a protected characteristic so he can, actually, be fairly discrimination and working males longer. Now, the irony, is a female (based on this premise) could argue that she is not being allowed that ability to work more hours, that is actually going to males, and would potential have a discrimination suit based on it.
Got it Posted November 21, 2014 Posted November 21, 2014 I again recommend going above your supervisor's head if he is not addressing things properly with you and/or go to HR. Or you can quit. Those are your options.
StanMusial Posted November 21, 2014 Posted November 21, 2014 You're a young man, right? And you're getting paid overtime? Stick it out. You're not being discriminated against. Chances are the girls there just don't produce. I have no clue what your line of work is but it's not uncommon.
mario_C Posted December 15, 2014 Posted December 15, 2014 That's life in finance, especially in NYC. Your first job in any new career will suck (I started in development 2 months ago, so I'm in the same boat) and you will have all kinds of problems dealing with it, but it gets better. Is this in Manhattan? You wouldn't be driving to work if it was, that's insanity (unless you can afford a parking space or they give you one).
Recommended Posts