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Hate my job

mike_v_s said:
Agreed. I accept your challenge. At the very least, I may feel better if you're right. I thought a while on how to guage this, so let's start with the tangible:

60-70 hours a week. Some at home, most in the office. The nature of the job means I'm never really off. My "clients" have my home phone and cell (this is neccessary).

I work 52 hour weeks, 3rd shift from 6pm to 7 am. Since they don't want to have to pay anything like worker's comp, we are considered "self employed" quite illegally, even though the company I work for contracts directly with the Ohio Environmental Agency. So not only do I NOT get time and 1/2 pay for the overtime like legally required, when I slipped and fell in the middle of one of the hazards here and tore my ankle up pretty bad, all I got was a "sorry about your luck". That was almost a year ago, and my ankle is still quite problematic.



Decent salary.....until you divide it into the number of hours and realize I made more per hour working construction.

I make 7.65 an hour, no overtime pay, no workers comp, and no taxes taken out. This means out of that whopping salary, I have to cover 100% of my own Federal, State, and Local taxes, and whatever I owe on federal, I have to double to cover the social security they don't pay either. Plan on 40% of that whopping salary being pissed away to the feds.

Seen "Office Space"? We have our own version of TPS reports....no less than 9 of them (it varies depending on the month). I spend a bulk of my time tracking the work that I do for my supervisor. Odd, isn't it? In the time it takes to complete my "tracking sheets", I could be getting much more done.

I have some paperwork to do as well. It's nothing important but they way they complain and treat us, you would think it is a matter of national security.

I'll give you some time to respond. To clarify...I am a good employee. I've been promoted at every job I've held since 16 including this one, but this is truly a "what have you done for me TODAY" environment. Past success is erased at day's end. Thanks to everyone for listening (reading).

Mike

I haven't even begun to tell you about my favorite part of the job, my co-worker I am stuck with 13 hours a night. I am not a violent person, but I have never met someone that made me hate them so much in my life. I'd have no problem whatsoever kicking him in his 71 year old snugglemuffin. Seriously, has to be among the top ten biggest douchebags in modern history. He's obsessive compulsive, and swears EVERYONE in the world stinks. He used to lysol the chair (right in front of her) after the last lady who worked with him, before he would sit in it. He puts a rain coat over the truck seat before he will sit in it, since he is afraid of other people's germs.

You would think such a neat freak would be a pretty clean person himself, but that is dead wrong......he's a world class hypocrite. I've caught him eating my $6 bottle of salad toppings right out of the can. I recently caught him urinating in someone elses work area. Some nights when I am unfortunate enough to have to sit in the office WITH him for the 13 hour shift, You get to listen to him belch EVERY 5-30 seconds, for hours on end.

He's also a hot headed prick, that doesn't like ANYONE. I've had him blow up screaming at me for things as stupid as laughing at Billy Ray Cyrus on TV. Don't laugh at polka music either, he will then proceed to tell you why your music sucks, then complain to his wife, and the boss about what kind of a hurtful jerk he has to work with. Trust me, I know.

I could go on forever, but I think you might begin to get my point. I used to have a pretty good job and made a good living, but decided it wasn't for me and took this crappy job to get by until I was ready to find something else to do. TRUST ME, I am now ready, and looking.
 
I used to hate my job about a year ago, It then occured to me that I would have to change something if I wanted my sitch to change, I know it's easier said than done but you have to make a move sometime to change your situation so that it can get better. I made a career change at the age of 40 and things are much better because of it. :)
 
Tim Cole said:
EVERY job sucks, period. Otherwise, they wouldn't have to pay people in order to do it.

With that said, I hate my freaking job and can give you 100 reasons it sucks worse than probably most anyone else here.

I'm too actively seeking a new job as well. It seems like it is harder to find something now than it used to be. My work experiences are higher, and my standards certainly haven't raised since the last time I looked.
ah now thats not really true.

how about computer games testing!!!
 
mike_v_s said:
Yes. And in case you still think that there is a good job with a 40 hour work week, you're wrong.

Well, there are..... they just may not be in a theater near you.

Years ago, I spent some time traveling and working in Europe. In one of the countries I frequented, any wages that you earn over 40 hours and under 45 in a week is taxed at 80%. Yes, 80%. Hours between 45-50, 90% tax. Between 50-55, 100% tax.

And any over 55 hours in a week, 110%. That's right, you pay more in taxes than you made in the first place.

The rationale: If you're working that many hours, the company should be hiring another employee, and taking someone off the unemployment rolls.

Hard to argue with that logic.
 
Tim Cole said:
I work 52 hour weeks, 3rd shift from 6pm to 7 am. Since they don't want to have to pay anything like worker's comp, we are considered "self employed" quite illegally, even though the company I work for contracts directly with the Ohio Environmental Agency. So not only do I NOT get time and 1/2 pay for the overtime like legally required, when I slipped and fell in the middle of one of the hazards here and tore my ankle up pretty bad, all I got was a "sorry about your luck". That was almost a year ago, and my ankle is still quite problematic.





I make 7.65 an hour, no overtime pay, no workers comp, and no taxes taken out. This means out of that whopping salary, I have to cover 100% of my own Federal, State, and Local taxes, and whatever I owe on federal, I have to double to cover the social security they don't pay either. Plan on 40% of that whopping salary being pissed away to the feds.



I have some paperwork to do as well. It's nothing important but they way they complain and treat us, you would think it is a matter of national security.



I haven't even begun to tell you about my favorite part of the job, my co-worker I am stuck with 13 hours a night. I am not a violent person, but I have never met someone that made me hate them so much in my life. I'd have no problem whatsoever kicking him in his 71 year old snugglemuffin. Seriously, has to be among the top ten biggest douchebags in modern history. He's obsessive compulsive, and swears EVERYONE in the world stinks. He used to lysol the chair (right in front of her) after the last lady who worked with him, before he would sit in it. He puts a rain coat over the truck seat before he will sit in it, since he is afraid of other people's germs.

You would think such a neat freak would be a pretty clean person himself, but that is dead wrong......he's a world class hypocrite. I've caught him eating my $6 bottle of salad toppings right out of the can. I recently caught him urinating in someone elses work area. Some nights when I am unfortunate enough to have to sit in the office WITH him for the 13 hour shift, You get to listen to him belch EVERY 5-30 seconds, for hours on end.

He's also a hot headed prick, that doesn't like ANYONE. I've had him blow up screaming at me for things as stupid as laughing at Billy Ray Cyrus on TV. Don't laugh at polka music either, he will then proceed to tell you why your music sucks, then complain to his wife, and the boss about what kind of a hurtful jerk he has to work with. Trust me, I know.

I could go on forever, but I think you might begin to get my point. I used to have a pretty good job and made a good living, but decided it wasn't for me and took this crappy job to get by until I was ready to find something else to do. TRUST ME, I am now ready, and looking.

Well played, Cole, well played. You've definitely got me beat in the pay department. And I guess the close-proximity jackhole coworker.

Round 2: I drive at least 45 minutes a day to work. I used to be paid for this. Now it's just expected. When I started, I was told I had to live in a specific geographic area (my territory). I packed up, bought a house, and moved in. Now, 2 years later, I've been moved to a different territory (same home office), and they expect me to move there. It takes about 3 years to break even on what you invest in a home purchase. The area they want me to move to has a much higher cost of living and an almost required private school system (the kids are young, but damn, it's like 8-10 grand a year). Failure to comply within an undetermined amout of time reduces my favor with management (flexibility is a huge asset in the business)...and possibly jepordizes my future. (let the pissing continue....)

Mike
 
cheezewiz said:
Hey Nick..I have a related GC question. Sorry to take the thread off topic...but, DO GC Managers take customer complaints seriously?

...snip...

As you implied, THIS is the type of behavior that gives some GC's a bad reputation. Just wondering if complaints like this are taken seriously by GC Management.

At mine it would have been addressed right away. Probably with a formal verbal warning at first. Nothing too serious or job threatening, but enough to get his attention. Chances are a turkey like the dude you describe wouldnt get the clue though and wouldnt hang out too long.

Im not just bossed around by our managers, but Im actually pretty good friends with a couple of the department/assistant managers. I see what they do and help them out with some of the management stuff. I suggest caling the store next time and asking for an assistant manager or someone with even more authority.
 
mike_v_s said:
Well played, Cole, well played. You've definitely got me beat in the pay department. And I guess the close-proximity jackhole coworker.

Round 2: I drive at least 45 minutes a day to work. I used to be paid for this. Now it's just expected. When I started, I was told I had to live in a specific geographic area (my territory). I packed up, bought a house, and moved in. Now, 2 years later, I've been moved to a different territory (same home office), and they expect me to move there. It takes about 3 years to break even on what you invest in a home purchase. The area they want me to move to has a much higher cost of living and an almost required private school system (the kids are young, but damn, it's like 8-10 grand a year). Failure to comply within an undetermined amout of time reduces my favor with management (flexibility is a huge asset in the business)...and possibly jepordizes my future. (let the pissing continue....)

Mike

40 minute drive for me as well. Oh, I forgot to mention the fact I am unable to leave until the boss shows up in the morning, which she never fails to be 5-15 minutes late every day. I am off the clock at 7 am regardless, and would be fired immediately if I left before she got there.

I politely complained that a 13 hour night was pretty long once, and am really ready to go home at 7 am once. I was told there were plenty of people looking for jobs if I didn't like it.

Also, my aunt passed away recently from a battle with cancer. I let her know ahead of time that I may need a few days off for viewings and the funeral. We're a pretty tight family, and it was just expected we would all be there supporting her husband and two children. Even though we are not paid for ANY days off, and there are subs specifically to cover days off by the regulars, I was told by the boss since it wasn't "immediate family" I would be allowed the day of the funeral off only. I suppose this isn't totally uncommon with jobs, but remember I am supposed to be _self employed_......I guess that part only comes into play when it comes to screwing you.
 
tplyons said:
Piss off your boss so you get fired.

Then throw glitter on him. Tell him "I may not have a job, but at least I don't have to walk around all day covered in GLITTER!!!" and laugh cynically.

after you get fired......... KICK...HIS...ASS.........

Better yet, before you do anything, piss him off enough so he throws the first swing, and then procede to methodically thrash him as you see fit. any onlookers will side with you, you get the satisfaction of changing jobs, kicking your bosses arse, and getting some court settlement fees when you take him to court for assaulting you :) (Ever seen american beauty? you could try that...)
:D
 
Well I just found out last night that my wife is so sick of her job that she is going to turn her notice in on Monday. I guess it's good for her, but we just bought a house and more bills to pay. Where we were living I was getting reduced rent and free electric and water. I wish she could of quit while we were living at the Apt. I wouldn't be so stressed then.
 
I figure this thread could use a little humor about now... and I thought of this "worst job ever" nugget of undetermined accuracy that circulates via Email every now and then.....

****

Brian is a commercial saturation diver for Global Divers out of Louisiana and performs underwater repairs on offshore drilling rigs. Below is an e-mail sent to his sister.
Anytime you think you have had a bad day at the office, remember this guy.

April 1998

Hi Sue,

Just another note from your bottom dwelling brother. Last week I had a bad day at the office. I know you've been feeling down lately at work, so I thought I would share my dilemma with you to make you realize it's not so bad after all. Before I can tell you what happened to me, I first must bore you with a few technicalities of my job.

This time of year the water is quite cool, even with a wetsuit. So what we do to keep warm is this: We have a diesel powered industrial water heater. This $20,000 piece of crap sucks the water out of the sea. It heats it to a delightful temperature. It then pumps it down to the diver through a garden hose which is taped to the air hose. Now this sounds like a damn good plan, and I've used it several times with no complaints. What I do, when I get to the bottom and start working, is I take the hose and stuff it down the back of my neck. This floods my whole suit with warm water. It's like working in a Jacuzzi.

Everything was going well until all of a sudden, my butt started to itch. So, of course, I scratched it. This only made things worse. Within a few seconds my butt started to burn. I pulled the hose out from my back, but the damage was done. In agony I realized what had happened. The hot water machine had sucked up a jellyfish and pumped it into my suit. This is even worse than the poison ivy you once had under a cast. Now I had that hose down my back. I don't have any hair on my back, so the jellyfish couldn't get stuck to my back. My butt crack was not as fortunate. When I scratched what I thought was an itch, I was actually grinding the jellyfish into my butt. I informed the dive supervisor of my dilemma over the communicator. His instructions were unclear due to the fact that he, along with 5 other divers, were laughing hysterically. Needless to say, I aborted the dive. It totaled 35 minutes before I could come to the surface for my chamber dry decompression.

I got to the surface wearing nothing but my brass helmet. My suit and gear were tied to the bell. When I got on board the medic, with tears of laughter running down his face, handed me a tube of cream and told me to shove it "up my butt" when I get in the chamber. The cream put the fire out, but I couldn't poop for two days because my butt was swollen shut.

Anyway, the next time you have a bad day at the office, think of me. Think about how much worse your day would be if you were to shove a jellyfish up your butt. I hope you have no bad days at the office. But if you do, I hope this will make it more tolerable.

Brian
 
Tim Cole said:
40 minute drive for me as well. Oh, I forgot to mention the fact I am unable to leave until the boss shows up in the morning, which she never fails to be 5-15 minutes late every day. I am off the clock at 7 am regardless, and would be fired immediately if I left before she got there.

I politely complained that a 13 hour night was pretty long once, and am really ready to go home at 7 am once. I was told there were plenty of people looking for jobs if I didn't like it.

Also, my aunt passed away recently from a battle with cancer. I let her know ahead of time that I may need a few days off for viewings and the funeral. We're a pretty tight family, and it was just expected we would all be there supporting her husband and two children. Even though we are not paid for ANY days off, and there are subs specifically to cover days off by the regulars, I was told by the boss since it wasn't "immediate family" I would be allowed the day of the funeral off only. I suppose this isn't totally uncommon with jobs, but remember I am supposed to be _self employed_......I guess that part only comes into play when it comes to screwing you.

Not really an equal comparison....but I was supposed to stand in a wedding last October. I found out the day of that I would not be able to make it because of work. Meanwhile no less than 3 employees have been blessed with ability to attend weddings since that occurred. I believe your job may suck as bad as mine does. Personally, I'm in a financial situation that does not allow me to walk...further complicated by the fact that my office is in contact with dozens of local companies who would not hesitate to inform them if my resume showed up.

Mike

Mike
 
mike_v_s said:
Not really an equal comparison....but I was supposed to stand in a wedding last October. I found out the day of that I would not be able to make it because of work. Meanwhile no less than 3 employees have been blessed with ability to attend weddings since that occurred. I believe your job may suck as bad as mine does. Personally, I'm in a financial situation that does not allow me to walk...further complicated by the fact that my office is in contact with dozens of local companies who would not hesitate to inform them if my resume showed up.

Mike

Mike

In other words, yours pays well enough to actually obligate someone.

I win :D
 
mike_v_s said:
I'm not sure that you win. When I asked my oldest daughter (who was playing "house") what mommy does, she put the baby doll in the mothers arms. When I asked her what daddy does, she removed him from the doll house and said "work".

I almost quit that day.

Mike

Yeah, bro that sucks. I have no kids, and if I did it would be bad. I am either gigging or gone all weekend, and would never see them.