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Questions about workplace environment
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Questions about workplace environment
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I am not an HR professional however we don't have anyone in our company that would act in that manner so I have no one to bounce this type of question off of.
My question revolves around some thin
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Forums » Topic Forums » Work Views » Questions about workplace environment
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Questions about workplace environment
posted at 10/10/2006 7:35 AM EDT
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Posts: 3
First: 10/10/2006 Last: 10/13/2006 |
I am not an HR professional however we don't have anyone in our company that would act in that manner so I have no one to bounce this type of question off of.
My question revolves around some things that I have been experiencing personally in this office and if they are appropriate in the work place. One of the owners is rather condescending to the other owner and myself. Below are specific examples I have dealt with from this individual. 1. Saying that he will have to treat me like one of his children, who are all actually older than I am. He is an older gentleman. He has also told me several times during meetings, that we don't need you for this, don't you have something to do? I personally find this rude, especially when said in front of other employees. He has also made several comments that when I try to explain why something isn't done, Its a very small office and basically everything in the office is my responsibility, that I am giving him excuses. 2. Going through files, folders, desk drawers, basically anything on my desk when I am at lunch. Not in a looking for a specific item way, just looking. 3. Calling me after hours and on weekends without notice or mention of being on call. Additionally, I have been "counseled" for not being available on those specific examples. A prime example of this occured when he called me at 8:15 on a Saturday that happened to be my birthday. I also receive several calls when I have asked for time off to deal with personal issues, for example several calls while at a doctors appointment, several more calls when dropping my car off at the body shop after a car wreck. 4. Working through lunch several times a week and basically being ignored when I state that I have something to do on my lunch break. I believe he feels justified in this because he buys us all lunch, however a sandwich from Subway does not get my deposit made at the bank, dry cleaning dropped off or picked up. etc. I have been in the workforce for about 10 years and I have honestly never worked harder at a job than I have here. I was with a large telecom company for 5 years, made a terrible mistake and took a dead end job in another industry and I got this job shortly after that. I feel as if I should be looking for another position because I am under so much stress at my current job but I am also concerned that I will look like I am job hopping on my resume as well. Any help or advice is sincerely appreciated. |
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Questions about workplace environment
posted at 10/10/2006 8:59 AM EDT
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Posts: 1783
First: 11/11/2003 Last: 5/13/2010 |
If you are a nonexempt (hourly) employee you must be paid for working through your lunch break. [Check into your state's department of labor website to see whether there are any regulations about meal/rest periods.]Also the time you spend fielding calls outside your normal schedule should be considered time worked. If you are not being paid for your time, and your employer refuses to correct the problem, you have the right to complain to the Department of Labor.
If you are an exempt employee then you don't have this leverage. Your owner is a creep and is not going to change his behavior. Your best bet is to seek other employment. You won't necessarily look like a job hopper...you were at one place for five years. It's OK to say that you want to leave because the job wasn't a fit. |
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Questions about workplace environment
posted at 10/10/2006 10:18 AM EDT
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Posts: 3
First: 10/10/2006 Last: 10/13/2006 |
Thank you for the reply. I normally try really hard to give people several opportunities to redeem themselves, but this situation seems to be getting worse.
Sometimes its hard to try to analyze the situation and see if you are just being overly sensitive, or if in fact you are being taken advantage of. |
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Questions about workplace environment
posted at 10/10/2006 1:23 PM EDT
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Posts: 221
First: 11/20/2005 Last: 4/4/2007 |
I agree with cynbrandt. It is time to cut your losses and move on. The owner will not change his behavior, at least not in the short term and without some outside prompting from a coach, etc, and an internal recognition that he needs to change.
I would try to get another position before resigning, though, as a continuous employment record will look better on your resume. I wish you the best of luck. Vicki Heath Director Business Performance Pty Ltd http://www.businessperform.com |
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Questions about workplace environment
posted at 10/13/2006 7:14 AM EDT
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Posts: 3
First: 10/10/2006 Last: 10/13/2006 |
Thank you for the support and the kind answers that I wasnt going crazy.
Today shortly after I went to work they fired me. They gave me the option of being fired or resigning, I took the firing because I can at least try to get unemployment that way. The General Manager who always liked me told me that he will be my reference for there and will help me out in any way he can. |
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Questions about workplace environment
posted at 10/13/2006 1:44 PM EDT
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Posts: 1783
First: 11/11/2003 Last: 5/13/2010 |
Sorry to hear that the decision to leave was made for you.
Because this and your most recent jobs turned out not to be a good fit for you, you should give some thought to what you should do differently with your job search this time around. Consider temping so that you're not so desperate for an income that you'll jump at the first job offer without regard for whether it's right for you. The unemployment office may have career-counseling services that could assist you. Good luck. |
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