I currently work two jobs. I work at a sign shop in the morning, then I go to work unloading a trailer at night. Still I find the energy to exceed at both jobs. Doing a lot more than expected of me.

So when an employer tells you that you are doing more than what is expected of you. And then not give you a raise for your efforts. Well then pack your bags.

Here I go again. See you hopefully in the future. Where I don't know, I don't care. As long as I can find a place that rewards efforts. Perhaps there isn't such a place. Maybe I'm in the Twighlight Zone. Cool!?

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Robb Prahl
West St. Paul, MN
robbsigns@hotmail.com

Suelynn

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"It is never too late to be what you might have been." -George Eliot

Suelynn Sedor
Sedor Signs
Carnduff, Sk Canada

 

Before you burn any bridges, try setting up a subcontract arrangement with them. You can bid on work for a set fee and get paid by invoice. This saves them keeping you busy on a daily basis and they can save the extra insurance and matching withholdings. When they're slow there's no payroll burden. When they're busy, they be paying you a lot more per job, but it will seem to them like you're 'making' them money instead of 'costing' them money. In your off time you can solicit some full-price jobs. Before long you could even be too busy to sub to your old employer.

It's just a shift in viewpoint. Call yourself a sub instead of an employee and you could easily end up with that extra income to reward your assertiveness. If they take you off the payroll then never sub any jobs to you, there was something else going on that they're not telling you. Then you have to decide whether to seek employment elsewhere - or go into direct competition with them as your own sign company.

Could be interesting, eh?

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Joe Rees
Cape Craft Signs
(Cape Cod, MA)
http://www.capecraft.com
http://www.dave-joe-show.com
e-mail: joerees@capecraft.com

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Linda Silver Eagle #5653
Silver Eagle Graphix Studio in GA, USA
Big on Murals and Tight on Camera Ready

Proud Supporter of this Site!

"Old Sign Writers never die, they've always got 1-Shot left!"

Don't get me started. I've ben ripped off far worse by employers than by customers. 'nuff said.

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"If it isn't fun, why do it?"
Signmike@aol.com

 

I hear ya loud and clear. However, here's another spin on your situation you may want to consider.

Put together a mini speech for your boss, filled with lots of back up, and present it to your boss, ASKING for a raise. Remind him what he said to you and offer more reasons. Be prepared for a no, not at this time, etc. and be prepared for a professional comeback to reconfirm why your idea is a good one.

Worst case scenario, he'll say no. But what if he says yes?

My employee brought forth a proposal such as this not long ago. After little debating, she got what she requested. I told her I respected her request and thanked her for the heads up.

It's human nature to not pay more than what we already do. Sometimes we as employers need a gentle reminder. And sometimes employers are too busy to look at the extra details of every day.

It may not work for your particular boss, but then it just may.

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Graphic Impact
located in BC Canada
gisigns@sprint.ca