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peacebird

(14,195 posts)
Mon Jun 25, 2012, 10:47 PM Jun 2012

Do I work only 45 hours a week to try to force the company to hire enough workers for the work?

Or do i keep working ~55 - 60 hours a week for a 40 hour paycheck? My husband is angry, and asking me to find a new job, but the last three companies have all been death marches.... Why would I think another company would be different? My gut feeling is that I should wait til the end of the year, after all, this company promoted me to manager of a section (7 employees, no raise, still required to do everything i did before PLUS the additional management stuff) so maybe that means good things will come if i keep on keeping on...?
Ideas?
(i'm 55 for what it's worth)

22 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Do I work only 45 hours a week to try to force the company to hire enough workers for the work? (Original Post) peacebird Jun 2012 OP
they're transitioning to contract work everywhere Skittles Jun 2012 #1
These hours were almost ok when i was in my 20s, but I have to say it is hard to maintain now... peacebird Jun 2012 #3
I hear you Skittles Jun 2012 #4
How long have you been at this position? How long since the "promotion"? gkhouston Jun 2012 #2
Have only been at company 7 months, promotion was three months back. Company has grown too fast peacebird Jun 2012 #5
I'd be tempted to start putting feelers out, but you'd need to work on your spiel about why you want gkhouston Jun 2012 #12
If you need the job, keep on keeping on. lumberjack_jeff Jun 2012 #6
I know job's aren't easy to find. Lost my own 2 yrs. ago. BUT - lynne Jun 2012 #7
That's what my hubby says too. peacebird Jun 2012 #8
If you seek and get a solid offer from another company, LuvLoogie Jun 2012 #19
Make yourself invaluable. Do the absolute best job you can. Nye Bevan Jun 2012 #9
Yeah, I worked with some guys who thought the place would close up if they left NNN0LHI Jun 2012 #11
Good point exboyfil Jun 2012 #22
In my experience, it rarely works that way. People tend to realize how difficult it is to replace gkhouston Jun 2012 #13
The "whining malcontent" strategy tends to be even less successful (nt) Nye Bevan Jun 2012 #16
hang tough upi402 Jun 2012 #10
A lot of companies screw their managers like that Incitatus Jun 2012 #14
To me it would depend on the company Glassunion Jun 2012 #15
Good strategy, and smart company (nt) Nye Bevan Jun 2012 #17
That's why I've hung around here for over 18 years. Glassunion Jun 2012 #18
You can always look then choose. dkf Jun 2012 #20
Do the job you're paid to do. TroglodyteScholar Jun 2012 #21

Skittles

(152,918 posts)
1. they're transitioning to contract work everywhere
Mon Jun 25, 2012, 10:53 PM
Jun 2012

that will be even worse

if they do hire, it will be after the election so Obama gets no credit

peacebird

(14,195 posts)
3. These hours were almost ok when i was in my 20s, but I have to say it is hard to maintain now...
Mon Jun 25, 2012, 10:59 PM
Jun 2012

But you are right that there are not many jobs out there for experienced workers. Fresh outs (less $) are all the rage...
Sigh.

If only there was affordable health care I could do something else.

Skittles

(152,918 posts)
4. I hear you
Mon Jun 25, 2012, 11:01 PM
Jun 2012

I am your age and work many 50+ hour weeks - and I work NIGHTS

believe me, if we had affordable health care (REAL health care, not that phony INSURANCE bullshit) - a LOT of us would be doing something different

gkhouston

(21,642 posts)
2. How long have you been at this position? How long since the "promotion"?
Mon Jun 25, 2012, 10:56 PM
Jun 2012

Is the company circling the drain?

peacebird

(14,195 posts)
5. Have only been at company 7 months, promotion was three months back. Company has grown too fast
Mon Jun 25, 2012, 11:03 PM
Jun 2012

They sold too well, without hiring staff needed to build the product.
Death march has been the defacto plan for the past year. They are hiring now, but they are losing people rapidly because of death marches.

Rinse and repeat.

gkhouston

(21,642 posts)
12. I'd be tempted to start putting feelers out, but you'd need to work on your spiel about why you want
Mon Jun 25, 2012, 11:40 PM
Jun 2012

to leave your present position. Not getting a raise when you were given management responsibilities is a plausible reason, IMO, and if they haven't coughed up a raise by now, that should tell you that all they're interested in is squeezing every last drop of life out of you.

 

lumberjack_jeff

(33,224 posts)
6. If you need the job, keep on keeping on.
Mon Jun 25, 2012, 11:13 PM
Jun 2012

By all means network, but don't quit a job that you need at age 55.

lynne

(3,118 posts)
7. I know job's aren't easy to find. Lost my own 2 yrs. ago. BUT -
Mon Jun 25, 2012, 11:16 PM
Jun 2012

- you never work 55-60 hours a week for a 40 hr. paycheck. If they won't pay you for your over-40 hours, you need comp time or some other perk to make up the difference. Because, if you don't put an end to it, it will never stop and 55-60 hrs will become what is expected of you.

Being promoted with no raise and additional duties is not a promotion. It's getting you to do more work and accept responsibility for the performance of 7 employees for free.

55 makes it rough. I was laid off at that age and there was one job I didn't get because of my age. Ageism is real and it's ugly.

I'd have a "come to Jesus" talk with the owners and tell them what you need. Set a date you need it by. I'd be reasonable but I'd also be firm. I think it was Dear Abby who said that no one can make you a doormat unless you allow them to do it. She was right.

peacebird

(14,195 posts)
8. That's what my hubby says too.
Mon Jun 25, 2012, 11:23 PM
Jun 2012

I will start actively looking for another job, because I can't have that conversation without an offer letter in hand.
sigh.

LuvLoogie

(6,823 posts)
19. If you seek and get a solid offer from another company,
Tue Jun 26, 2012, 12:58 AM
Jun 2012

then take it. No drama, just give your notice, then leave. Don't try and use another offer to cut a better deal. You're not LeBron James.

For now, continue to do your job--no more, no less. But ask your director for a few minutes time some morning. Tell them that you would like pay more in line with your position, responsibilities and output. Don't make a big deal out of it. Just say that $x seems more in line with your position at your experience level. (Do your research)

If your director is a decent person, they'll either tell you why they can't pay you more right now--in which case you will have to decide if it is a valid reason--or they will ask for a few days to consider and see what they can do. Do it on a Monday, you should have an answer by Friday.

Only ask once, and carry on with your work. But you should ask. Otherwise you may end up burdened with resentment. Let your character and self-esteem be your upper hand. Have no fear.

Nye Bevan

(25,406 posts)
9. Make yourself invaluable. Do the absolute best job you can.
Mon Jun 25, 2012, 11:29 PM
Jun 2012

Establish a reputation as someone indispensable. Then further down the road it shouldn't be too difficult to point to your responsibilities and your reputation and suggest to your employer that you are being under-compensated. Hopefully at that point they will be so impressed with you that they will quickly agree to a raise out of fear of losing you. It wouldn't hurt to do a little research in the meantime into prevailing compensation levels for your type of position.

NNN0LHI

(67,190 posts)
11. Yeah, I worked with some guys who thought the place would close up if they left
Mon Jun 25, 2012, 11:33 PM
Jun 2012

When they left the place didn't close up.

Everyone is expendable.

Don

exboyfil

(17,853 posts)
22. Good point
Tue Jun 26, 2012, 06:39 AM
Jun 2012

In your 20s it might make sense to try to shine so you become one of the "annointed". As I approach 50 I am aware that I will not be annointed. I am at the stage to do enough to keep my job and invest myself in my family (the reverse of what I was when I was younger). I know I never will be promoted again, and I am happy with that.

At the end of the day remember for most people employment is a day to day contract with your employer.

gkhouston

(21,642 posts)
13. In my experience, it rarely works that way. People tend to realize how difficult it is to replace
Mon Jun 25, 2012, 11:42 PM
Jun 2012

someone only after they've tried a couple of craptastic replacements.

Incitatus

(5,317 posts)
14. A lot of companies screw their managers like that
Mon Jun 25, 2012, 11:47 PM
Jun 2012

We need legislation to keep them from cheating their employees out of overtime. Mid and upper management is one thing but low level managers are taken advantage of at a lot of places.

Glassunion

(10,201 posts)
15. To me it would depend on the company
Tue Jun 26, 2012, 12:41 AM
Jun 2012

I was in your position a few years ago. Saleried, working about 60-70 hours a week. The company was going through a rough patch, but in the over 40 years they have been in business they never had a layoff.

I kept my nose at the grindstone for about 6 months and they hired me help. Not only that they recognized my commitment, promoted me and gave me a sizable pay increase.

If it is a company that just chews up and spits out employees, I would look elsewhere.

Glassunion

(10,201 posts)
18. That's why I've hung around here for over 18 years.
Tue Jun 26, 2012, 12:51 AM
Jun 2012

The company spends more money on our healthcare the it makes in profit.

Simple... Happy employees = successful company.

 

dkf

(37,305 posts)
20. You can always look then choose.
Tue Jun 26, 2012, 01:09 AM
Jun 2012

To me the choices out there seems to be 1) work like a dog or 2) no job.

You either have the advantage of funds or free time but not both.

TroglodyteScholar

(5,477 posts)
21. Do the job you're paid to do.
Tue Jun 26, 2012, 02:16 AM
Jun 2012

If you do what you think is reasonable, and there's still work to be done, oh well. That's the way it goes.

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