Work related question... NEED advice!!?

Question

I work for a small construction business. My boyfriend's family owns it and he also works here (he is expected to take it over soon). (He and I have a future planned together). I started in January of this year. I make ok money but need to be making more. Bottom line - I work my as* off for them. I work from 6:30 am to 5 pm M-F. I have taken over almost all of the office responsibilites. I have been expecting to be "promoted" and make more money since when i was hired i was told that i would be assisting my bf running the company one day. Now - they are bringing in a General Manager and being sneaky about it. I feel like I have alot to offer a company - i have a good business sense. Why are they doing this? I basically am the General Manager - so why are they getting someone else to do it after all i have learned and already know? What do I do? I am very upset about this......

Answer 1

Why don't you approach them professionally and show them what you have done for the company. It could be that they are not in the know about your efforts as much as you think they are. Good luck!

Answer 2

When is your boyfriend going to run the business? One year? 20 years?

When is your wedding? Will you be married soon? Are you planning on just living together for the next few years? If you don't have wedding plans that will happen soon, how can you expect to really be considered a player in the family business? Your relationship could be over in a week and they all know it.

If you will be married soon and your boyfriend will be running the business soon I would say wait it out.

If either of those 2 conditions are not being met I would say do some or all of the following: 1) confront your boyfriend 2) find out what is going on from the family and let then know how much you have been sacrificing 3) look for another position. Even if you do get another job - don't burn any bridges. After all - you very likely will be returning there one day and you want to be welcomed back.

Answer 3

I would ask the owners for a detailed job description of your duties. Take that, then go to hotjobs and find out how much you *should* be making.

Write up a resume, and start applying for other jobs. If you get a bite, you can then make a decision to go to another job (which I think would be a good idea, since working for a small family business is rarely a good idea if you aren't actually in the family), or to present your current employer with a list of what you need to be getting out of your current job or else you will go work elsewhere.

Some things to remember:

Don't quit your job until you have another one ready.

If you have a future with your boyfriend, try not to alienate these people, they will be your in-laws one day.

If you decide to stay, talk to the owners and see what they recommend to help you learn the business and learn more about how to manage an office. There may be more to both these things than you realize.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Easy.... find another job and make the money you need. Make sure you leave in as friendly a way as possible and give them the opprotunity to fix it by letting them know you are leaving and that money is the real issue. Them getting a general manager may be the current owners way of hedging his or her bets since you and the boyfriend aren't married yet. They probably don't even know it bothers you. If they help you out on the money thing I wouldn't leave but let the new manager take more of the responsibility and stress.
Anyway, if your boyfriend does become your husband you have the skills and they will be available to him. If not you can more easily move on because of the money. Remember your love and relationship is with the boyfriend not the company or even the future you've planed. You would likely be with him even if the company didn't exist, I hope. So he is more important and should be to you.

Answer 5

You should consider this an opportunity to move on to another position. You are obviously talented. Problems can always arise when working with family members (any family members) and those problems can eventually cause problems within the entire family and within a marriage. Find a position where your talents are needed and appreciated and, as a bonus, you will have something else to talk about to your boyfriend during the evening since he already knows everything that happened where he worked that day. Don't be afraid, just quietly put your resume together and, when you have a new job, give your notice in a polite and timely fashion (remember -- these people might be your in-laws someday). Keep doing your best and good luck!

Answer 6

Definitely need to find a new job -- it's no good mixing family and business. And besides, once you go away and get heaps more experience at another company, if and when your boyfriend finally does take over the company and you are still together, you will be much more valuable to the business then.

Answer 7

talk talk talk. this is something that every one in the world has to deal with. you have to tell your employer how you feel about what is going on without making it personal. your feelings right now are very personal because of you being involved with their son. maybe its just a case where they feel as though you wouldnt need to work when he takes over because of the money he will be making, that would give you an opertunity to do what you want to do, but if what you want to do is what you are doing right now ask for it. dont be rude but never be bashful about asking questions. even if the answer you get isnt the one you wanted, you dont get the raise you deserve, or you are slowly being replaced at least then you have established a new kind of relationship with you employer/ family where they know you have the proverbial kahunas to stand up for what you feel and believe in. if anything at least you will be treated with more respect. the the only dumb question is an unasked one. just try not to make it a personal thing its hard not to mix work with relationships when you work with you partner, but if done right I think you will like the outcome.........

Answer 8

I have never had a job other than babysitting or a lemonade stand after all I am only 13 years old but my mom had a problem fairly similar to the one you have. What you should do is let him and his family know your complaints and how you feel about the situation but don't go way over-bored either because you may not understand the whole story. I really hope this helps. Good Luck!

Answer 9

Have a formal sit down with them and tell them that you are ready to take on the mantle of General manager. If they seem hesitant, ask them what else you need to be doing to make it happen.
Some times and employer wants to see that you are willing to be assertive, especially as a General manager. You have to be willing and able to hit situations head on and with tact in any management position. They may just want to see that.

Answer 10

Honestly, I think you'll be taken advantage of because you're technically family. Companies like to treat family and friends like crap when it comes to money even though those people do the most for their bosses. It's almost expected, like you're supposed to help them for less because you're the boss' gf.

I would try to get a new job or make them see that your not easily replaced. Good luck!

Answer 11

the first thing you have to do sweetheart is treat your work and your relationship as two separate issues,,,
by linking the two together you are presuming to may things for the future and maybe the family are picking up on these bad vibes,,
be professional about your employment and the role you play for them as employers..
approach them about how you feel ,tell them you have increased responsibilities and you think you deserve some form of recognition for your efforts ,,
if they refuse revert back to the duties you were initially employed to do for the salary offered,, or move on to pastures new,,
do you really want to be treated like a door Matt..
you sound sweet and very ambitious(not bad qualities)
good luck in all areas of your life ,,
keep smiling no matter what its important lol
PS write back and let me know how you got on