Got screwed at work, now to quit or not based on principle.

[cassanova]

Back in February I was told by my boss "we don't have any openings right now but we're looking for a male counselor and when a position opens up you're our first choice."

They did offer me the technician position, which is a fancy word for saying I do all the drug screens there. I accepted the position for two reasons, first it's a foot in the door. The other reason was under the premise of it leading to a full time position when one opened up.

About 2 weeks ago a counselor left, so a position became available. I found out today that they hired someone else that has more experience and he's slated to start tomorrow.

Don't get me wrong, I don't mind what I do. I've learned a lot and still get to facilitate groups. The pay I make is much less than a counselor and the hours are not as good. Nor did I bust my ass in college to play with piss all the time.

I feel like I got a raw deal here and am pretty pissed off about it. Pissed off to the point where I'm honestly thinking about saying "screw it" and quitting the tech position based on the principality of everything.

I'm going to talk to the boss tomorrow and probe around about getting the old counselors position. I'm positive it's a moot point but I'm hoping it'll at least clue me in as to what their intentions are with me. The drawback to that is that I'm not sure I'll be able to believe them after being told I was their first choice. Ya know?

[jp58]

Originally Posted by cassanova

Back in February I was told by my boss "we don't have any openings right now but we're looking for a male counselor and when a position opens up you're our first choice."

They did offer me the technician position, which is a fancy word for saying I do all the drug screens there. I accepted the position for two reasons, first it's a foot in the door. The other reason was under the premise of it leading to a full time position when one opened up.

About 2 weeks ago a counselor left, so a position became available. I found out today that they hired someone else that has more experience and he's slated to start tomorrow.

Don't get me wrong, I don't mind what I do. I've learned a lot and still get to facilitate groups. The pay I make is much less than a counselor and the hours are not as good. Nor did I bust my ass in college to play with piss all the time.

I feel like I got a raw deal here and am pretty pissed off about it. Pissed off to the point where I'm honestly thinking about saying "screw it" and quitting the tech position based on the principality of everything.

I'm going to talk to the boss tomorrow and probe around about getting the old counselors position. I'm positive it's a moot point but I'm hoping it'll at least clue me in as to what their intentions are with me. The drawback to that is that I'm not sure I'll be able to believe them after being told I was their first choice. Ya know?

Do you think that you'll be able to land a job somewhere else doing anything better?

Is it worth quitting your job over?

There may be more going on in this situation than you see. Its probably not going to be beneficial to talk to them pissed off, or to give them an ultimatum.

[hover]

Um, update your resume, and repost on hotjobs, monster and the like, and scour Craigslist, all the while remaining employed for the time being. Nothing worse than screwing yourself righteous on "principle"

[Phalex]

You can't eat principality. Your pride can be swallowed.

Those are the things to consider right there.

[coolius]

I would suggest you give it very careful consideration before quitting.

I have known quite a few folks who quit in anger over something, and a few months later deeply regret their impetuousness.

Better to talk to your boss, and find out WHY they went with the other guy. Then, if you're still not satisfied with the explanation, start looking for another job.

But, do not walk before you have another job in hand.

[skwee]

It probably won't make you feel better, but try to keep in mind that this is an economy when someone mega-overqualified can very easily walk in the door and nab a job that you really want, even if you were someone's "first choice". This other person might be really loaded up on experience, skills, etc. The downside of business...I feel ya.

[Jay Ralston]

Reminds me of a good friend of mine. I have known my friend since Kindergarten. Out of college, he got hired on at Enterprise Rent A Car. He stayed with them and promoted up though the ranks. He is now I believe over most or a lot of the Enterprise stores in San Diego. When he had only been there for a few years, he interviewed to be a store manager. His numbers were some of the best numbers in the market and he was well deserving of the promotion. He interviewed for a smaller store in South San Diego but got passed up by another guy who had not been there as long and had worse numbers than him. My friend was quite ticked and frustrated to say the least. He too thought about quitting. However, a month later, the manager position opened up at the airport Enterprise which is the largest store in the market and most successful. They actually approached my friend to interview for it and he got the promotion. He later on learned that the upper management knew all along that the Airport store manager was leaving soon but they asked him to keep silent until right before he left so they could evaluate who was the best person for the job. They intentionally did not hire my friend at the Chula Vista store because they already knew they wanted him for the airport store.

With your situation, it could be similar. Maybe they have something better in mind for you or maybe you were simply overlooked. Go in and talk with your bosses but be professional even if they give you answers that you don't like. Maybe they have seen something in your work that made them feel this guy was a better candidate. If that is the case, then take their honest evaluation and try and better yourself in the areas where they felt you were lacking. When they see that, and the fact that you are sticking with your job, that makes them want to continue to invest in you as an employee and maybe it won't be this time around but eventually your promotion will come.

[XigXag]

Some good advice so far. Not a good time to be burning bridges, and you can never know whats going on behind the scenes. I'd say ask some questions to get a feel of things. Dont quit, but start looking.

Im looking to change positions myself, and its rough out there. Id quit my job in a heartbeat, but until I've got something lined up, Ill be right here. Look before you leap.
Good Luck.

[UncleFluffy]

+1 on both (nicely) asking what's up and on not quitting unless you've got somewhere to go to. You really don't want to be having to make a parachute after you've jumped out of the plane.

Having said that, I've said "**** you" and walked before and survived. Kinda scary, and not recommended unless completely unavoidable.

[Stanley Design]

Don't get hotheaded about it. As you said, the guy they hired on was more qualified. As far as you know they could have lucked out on getting him in the door while another position is about to become available for you in a couple weeks.

Ask to have an unofficial pow-wow with your boss and see what his game plans for you are. Reaffirm your desire to hold a better position within the company and ask him what he plans to do to help it happen. Maybe there was a reason you didn't get that position, or maybe he just simply forgot about you.

At that point you will know whether you are wasting your time on something dead end or working towards a promotion. If it's the former, keep going until you find something else and start a job hunt. If it's the latter, then count your blessings that you didn't just walk out.

[blendermassacre]

Maybe its easier for them to fill a vacency with counselors than it is techs. Maybe they're paying him less than they could have paid you. If you're going to ask, ask nicely.

I would also contend that if he had more expierience, than you didn't get screwed, imo.

[wazzel]

New job first, quit second. After working 260 hours in the last four weeks and only getting paid for 160 hours I kind of feel like quiting. Sucks to be salery. I have alrady put in 35 hours this week. Had to give up the holiday, no extra pay.

[cassanova]

Originally Posted by jp58

Do you think that you'll be able to land a job somewhere else doing anything better?

Doubtful. Most places want candidates to have a Masters Degree. So, it'd take a good deal of time, (time that I don't have), to earn one. The place I'm at now, the owner lets us work under his license.

Is it worth quitting your job over?

In all honesty, it really might be. I'm embarrassed to admit this but they only pay me $100 a week.

There may be more going on in this situation than you see. Its probably not going to be beneficial to talk to them pissed off, or to give them an ultimatum.

I highly doubt this. A coworker was telling me tonight that the new guy is a long time friend of the owner and another counselor there. Couple that with the experience he has that I don't and it's a no win situation for me. Unless someone else quits there I am doubting there will be any openings for quite some time. One exception to that might be (and I emphasize might), if a grant comes through. They were supposed to hear about that last month though.

No worries on giving ultimatum's. I wouldn't think of doing that because they just never work out. They'd just do like they did before I started by having the counselors do the drug screens. It'd also more than likely ruin the chances of them writing me a letter of recommendation should I decide to quit.

One thing I should have mentioned was I didn't hear about the new guy from the boss, I heard it from a co-worker. It is reliable information though.

Tomorrow, I'm just going to ask the boss, "now that there's a position open, how can I go about getting it?"

[cassanova]

Originally Posted by UncleFluffy

Having said that, I've said "**** you" and walked before and survived. Kinda scary, and not recommended unless completely unavoidable.

I've done that before myself. Which is why I didn't let my emotions get the best of me and just walk off tonight.

I'm trying my hardest to stay positive by thinking "though its very crappy pay, its still better than zero income." That attitude will not last long though.

[blendermassacre]

If you're making that little money, leave. Like now. How many hours a week are you working? If you're not a manager they can't salary you. No where can salary you less than min. Wage.

[Jim Campbell]

Originally Posted by hover

Um, update your resume, and repost on hotjobs, monster and the like, and scour Craigslist, all the while remaining employed for the time being. Nothing worse than screwing yourself righteous on "principle"

don't forget to factor in that the next job might be managed the same way or worse.....i'd start looking,but i wouldn't quit until i had a rock solid job offer......

[Pilgrim]

A principality is a is a monarchical feudal or sovereign state, ruled by a monarch with the title of prince or princess...so I doubt that's your problem. (Couldn't resist.)

Just level with your boss but don't be rude or burn bridges. You have a job, and even if you decide to leave, you want to have your back trail intact. If there's a good reason (in their judgment - perhaps not yours) that you didn't get the job, then you need to know what that is. Your perceptions and theirs may not agree.

[f'nar f'nar]

Have you ever considered that, maybe, you're the best piss handler your boss has ever seen? Ask for a raise based on the fact that, as they haven't given you the job you want, you are clearly doing an excellent job despite it not being ideal.

[Jim Campbell]

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

A principality is a is a monarchical feudal or sovereign state, ruled by a monarch with the title of prince or princess...so I doubt that's your problem. (Couldn't resist.)

Just level with your boss but don't be rude or burn bridges. You have a job, and even if you decide to leave, you want to have your back trail intact. If there's a good reason (in their judgment - perhaps not yours) that you didn't get the job, then you need to know what that is. Your perceptions and theirs may not agree.

it is entirely possible that promoting the op would have created a void in the job he now holds that would make the boss's life more difficult.....it's a poor management strategy,but it works,short term,but creates disgruntled staff long term....time to put together a plan b,while getting an idea where this job is going.....

[Bob Lee (QSC)]

Did you move from Florida to a principality?