Should I stay or should I go?

jebuschrist

Having clocked out of my job at 6 o'clock today, I wonder should I hand in my notice! Let me set the scene. I have been working part-time for a video rental chain for the last 18 months, just to get me through college. In my time there I have been given more and more responsibility, and it has reached the point where I will be in charge of lodging the store's cash and handling all store orders while the manager is on holidays. While the manager is away I will be doing 50 + hours per week. I also have a car, which means I can go from store to store filling in for people if needs be. I have been told that the fact that I have the car makes me a very useful staff member to have, but it also means I'm the one who gets the ****** phone calls at all hours if there's a problem, beacause I'm the only member of staff who can drive! All this extra work and responsibility, and I'm on the paltry sum of e8.65 an hour! I emailed our area manager today enquiring about a pay rise. The answer I got? 'Not unless you're an assistant manager or higher, all other staff are on the same rate'. In other words, I have all these managerial responsibilities, and doing everything a manager does, and I'm STILL on the minimum wage. I know for a fact, my manager is on more than e15 per hour.

So....I'm looking for advice from you guys. Have you got any tips on getting my area manager to change her mind and give me a pay rise? Should I cut my losses and leave?

Lafortezza

No need to leave, just refuse to do all this extra work/responsibilies unless you are adequately rewarded. With money and blowjobs.

wba88

Ultimatum maybe? If you are such a valuable staff member then they should respond with a pay rise, if not then they arent worth working for IMO.

Edit: lafortezza makes a good point as well

mikemac

You seem to doing the job of assistant manager alright.
I was going to suggest going to your area manager but that hasn't worked.
And the fact that you spend your petrol for work purposes sometimes to earn €8.65 per hour means you sometimes work for under minimum wage.

You have no chance if a payrise unless you are given a new role. If you get a raise that might lead to conflict with people who did the same interview process and have the same job title as you: shop assistant I assume.

Ask your area manager can you become duty manager at weekends. And this way your store manager gets less weekend hours so they won't object.

Otherwise walk!
Edit: I also recommend the advise from lafortezza.

jebuschrist

I'm not sure if it makes any difference, but it's Chartbusters I'm talking about!

eddiehobbs

take lafortezzas advice

jebuschrist

Just got an email off my area manager saying payroll is 'not my department', and 'don't call me tommorrow as I'm going to a fashion show, unless there's a shop on fire'. Now THERE'S AN IDEA.....

mikemac

Walk out and go to xtravision. I hear they pay €9ph, much better money.:D
Lots of advice a few threads down.

Are Chartbusters and xtravision the same company?

wba88

xtravision pay the same = min wage

jebuschrist

They used to be, but Xtravision was sold to UK's Blockbuster video. Chartbusters was being run into the ground financially up until a few years ago. It's getting back on its feet now though. Chartbusters markets itself as 'Irish owned'. I would go to Xtravision but I have been told that I wouldn't be hired by them for at least a year because I worked for so long with their competitor.

jebuschrist

wba88 wrote:

xtravision pay the same = min wage

yes, and xtravision have that hideous blue uniform!

mikemac

jebuschrist wrote:

I would go to Xtravision but I have been told that I wouldn't be hired by them for at least a year because I worked for so long with their competitor.

This thread is getting off-topic but have to comment on this.
Who told you that?
Not trying to belittle your job but you are a minimum wage shop assistant (sorry, if that's harsh ) and not a marketing executive with loads of confidental figures and an airtight employment contract.

Xtravision would be delighted to hire you since you have relevent experience. Try anyway and check out the other thread.

Spades

eddiehobbs wrote:

take lafortezzas advice

I totaly aggree with this comment, it really annoys me when these employers take the piss, refuse to do any additional duties but before you do that ask for a official job description of your position and refer to it when required, soon enough the attitude should change.i had a simaler problem with an employer but they refused to increase my wages, i told my boss good luck, i had enough and by the end off the day he offered me a company vehicle as it simply wasnt possible to increase my wages. good luck.

jebuschrist

micmclo wrote:

This thread is getting off-topic but have to comment on this.
Who told you that?
Not trying to belittle your job but you are a minimum wage shop assistant (sorry, if that's harsh ) and not a marketing executive with loads of confidental figures and an airtight employment contract.

Xtravision would be delighted to hire you since you have relevent experience. Try anyway and check out the other thread.

I know it's getting off-topic, but I HAVE to answer! My manager who used to work for Xtravision told me about having to wait! She's now my boss in Chartbusters. I find it weird too! I have applied to XV, but got those dreaded 'we have your application on file' letters. Bah!

jebuschrist

jebuschrist wrote:

They used to be, but Xtravision was sold to UK's Blockbuster video. Chartbusters was being run into the ground financially up until a few years ago. It's getting back on its feet now though. Chartbusters markets itself as 'Irish owned'. I would go to Xtravision but I have been told that I wouldn't be hired by them for at least a year because I worked for so long with their competitor.

That sounds silly. I'd hire someone from my competitor then find out how the competitor works. Try applying to xtra anyway.

In any case, first reply's advice of ultimatum is the way to go

jebuschrist

Thanks for all the advice! I really am fed up with this company and how I'm being treated. Action will be taken sooner rather than later, rest assured.

jebuschrist

micmclo wrote:

You seem to doing the job of assistant manager alright.
I was going to suggest going to your area manager but that hasn't worked.
And the fact that you spend your petrol for work purposes sometimes to earn €8.65 per hour means you sometimes work for under minimum wage.

You have no chance if a payrise unless you are given a new role. If you get a raise that might lead to conflict with people who did the same interview process and have the same job title as you: shop assistant I assume.

Ask your area manager can you become duty manager at weekends. And this way your store manager gets less weekend hours so they won't object.

Otherwise walk!
Edit: I also recommend the advise from lafortezza.

Changing my role could be easier than I thought! A part-timer who I used to work with in the company threw a tantrum and was handed a managers position at a HUGE Dublin store. This company really do promote the brightest and the best!

jebuschrist

Just in case this doesn't work out, does anyone know of anywhere looking for part-time staff???!!!!:D

Dave!

Ya just missed an Xtravision open day lol

I'd agree with the ultimatum idea... Pay rise, or else you're going elsewhere. You don't really have anything to lose if you're willing to leave the job anyway. They may decide you're worth it!

jimmycrackcorm

Tell the manager that you are not going to do the cash banking as your car will be unavailable. Say that you don't want the responsibility either as there is not advantage for you. Don't let yourself be walked all over and stick to your guns. They're not going to fire a trusted employee over that as they still have the problem of having someone else do it.

In fact to use your car to transfer the takings to the bank you would have to have Class 2 insurance cover for business use. Don't be a sap for them.