Moral Dilemma

[Scrivener]

To work at Home Depot for $9.50 an hour or Electronics Boutique for $7 an hour? The problem is that at HD, the new guys are getting hired on at $10 an hour, I've been there over a year, longer than anyone else in my department. There are two things I wanted to happen before my year review

1) Get moved to a different department where I can trust my fellow associates to work as hard as I do (Plumbing is one department that comes to mind).

2) Get a raise from $9 an hour to AT LEAST $10 an hour. After a month working at HD, you understand why they pay so much. If they didn't, noone would work for them.

Neither of those things happened, and I'm sick of working in the lot. None of the other associates raise a finger to do anything; leaving me, the closing associate, to pick up all the slack for a day of negligence as well as taking care of my own responsibilities. I've expressed my concerns to the managment time and time again. The funny thing is, the other associates seen to get the merit badges and I get nothing (They'd rather flirt with the Hot Dog cart girls than actually work). A large part of the problem is that none of my "supervisors" actually work the closing shift, so when the store is clean in the morning, they assume its because of the opener. I'm sick of it, I'm insulted by they're giving me a $0.50 raise to $9.50 and calling it fair when I'm supposed to train people who are making more than me! This has been going on for almost 6 months. I'll have one LAST talk with the store manager.

On the other hand, EB is, like, heaven. They may start me at $7.00 (Right now I'm making $9.50) but I don't doubt in the least that I'll love it, as is I pretty much live there now. I'll just have to be a little more conservative with my money. No buying every last D&D book to come onto the market. Cut back on collectors edition games. Wait a little longer to buy my SCUBA equipment. No more ordering Double Quarter Pounder with cheese meal Super-Sized when a Regular Quarter-Pounder with Cheese meal will suffice. And no more buying every last game to hit store shelves (As is I have only played about half of them); I'll have be a little more picky.

What do you all think?

[Supreme Cmdr]

For $2.50 less, I'd take the plunge to EB

Besides, at $7, you're making more than I'm making.

[Fendi]

Out of curiosity how old are you? If you are young enough you could wait little while longer to see if there's a better opening or you might even get promoted.

Or you could do what I did. I was working as an Assistant Manager but because I got so fed up with the way things are going on (nothing to do with my collegues), I became a student again (24 yrs young).

And I know what it's like to have less money than what you are used to. It ain't pretty. Though in my case it was self inflicted through my own stupidity, but thats another story.

[Fendi]

quote:

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Besides, at $7, you're making more than I'm making

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Tsk....Sez the guy that drives an SL 500.

Come to think of it my grant money is less than that.

[ 10-02-2001: Message edited by: Fendi ]

[SpotSD]

Scrivener, I'd go with EB. You said you'd love it (as opposed to living in resentment of you coworkers.)

And I'm pretty sure there is an employee discount (I'd ask though) so for someone

with a passion for games (i.e. you )

It could turn out to be a real money saver.

[Guest $iLk]

I used to be a resented co-worker at ACE HARDWARE... I used to flirt with girls, and flirt with the female managers - which was enough to make me not have to work. In fact, my friend got pissed cause 3 days out of 5 I would show up an hour late, walk in, joke with the female boss for an hour, and then while we were joking she would turn to my friend and yell at him to get to work, then I would go fix coffee and watch him work while drinking it...

Ahem, but I've matured a little bit since then...

[Epsilon 5]

Hehe... "diplomatic skills" I suppose?

[Blades]

Reminds me of my bar days. You dont have to do any work if you bring the women to the bar.

[Fendi]

quote:

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Reminds me of my bar days. You dont have to do any work if you bring the women to the bar

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Definately on my list for part time jobs when Uni starts next week.

[jstuart]

take the eb job. yes there is a employee discount. i believe you can also check out software, bring it home, try it out and then return it. if you like it, you can then buy it. saves on wasting money.

also proable less hassle at a eb store, you can also promote bcm to all customers who are looking for a game that is totally differnet like none ever before it.

[JaxFox]

I would take the EB job, I was in the same position you where, but instead of looking for greener pastures I stayed and suffered through it for 4 years. Dumbest thing I have ever done. I was makeing 9 dollars a hour, switched to new less stressfull job, but only get paid 6.35 a hour. I had to give a lot up but sometimes the money is just not worth the frustration.

[Fendi]

quote:

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i believe you can also check out software, bring it home, try it out and then return it. if you like it, you can then buy it. saves on wasting money

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That is true as my classmate does that a lot in EBuk. But consider this, if you are feeding a family your a drop from $1824 per month (8 hours, 6 days a week) to $1440 is quite big. At the moment I myself only get around 1000 pounds per month (in England that means squat especially if you had to drive 60 miles to and fro everyday to Uni) and even though the house is paid for it is definately not enough.

But since Scrivener's profile says he's a student (assuming you live in dorms) I say go for it. If you are like me (married mature student) then I say stick with it. You can always get a better job once you've finished your studies and then you'll have the last laugh.

[ 10-02-2001: Message edited by: Fendi ]

[Akuma Minako]

Ahh Bartending...Good old bartending....*reminises....Daydreams...Completly forgets what this Post is about* Hey Blades, let's team up and bartend! I'll bring the guys you bring the girls...*wink wink nudge nudge*

[Akira]

Real Simple. Follow the chain of command. If you've already been as detailed with your manager, and his/her boss, then take it to the GM or whoever is above the ones you've already spoken with.

More likely than not, they neck-ties have no idea what's going on. And, since things don't roll up hill, will think things are fine, cuz employee quibles are taken care of by the lower mgmt.

But, heck, you have nothing to lose, so make them aware. At the least, your managers are sorely amiss in their jobs. At the worst, they are merely towing the company line by denying raises.

Your options are really quite simple:

1. Talk to the BIG BOSS.

2. Stop doing so much work. Only do what's required of you and when they ask what's been happening, just point to the others and tell them that you just don't have the time to do your job and theirs.

3. Quit and leave. Nothing will be resolved. They'll never know why and someone making more than you will take your position.

If it were me, I'd talk to the Gen.Mgr. or the highest person not spoken to yet and get the situation on record. Next, I'd stop being so gung-ho. I'd start doing ONLY what was required and when they notice the difference be VERY OPEN and FRANK about why. Then, after a month, if I hadn't been fired yet I'd talk to the General Manager one more time. Courteously explain what's been happening again and then explain that anyone can do what I've been doing for the last month, but few people work as hard as I did before this started. I like the company; I want to stay here; I prefere to go the extra mile; and I'm ONLY asking for a fair shake.

If the GM doesn't do something about it in the next few days, then start talking to EB and make sure you let ALL the customers know why your leaving. Hell, things get done when customers start to react.

Or, if you don't like the place, just leave. If they don't understand what employee retention does to keep businesses working smoothly, then they don't deserve your time.

It is YOUR time. Don't ever forget that. Stress only hurts you and helps them, so worrying is of no use. Decide on a course of action and stick to your guns. In the current economy, training new hires is a HUGE drain on cashflow. Sometimes, the upstairs idiots need to be reminded of the fact.

Good luck.