What should I do?

Question

I started work for a company in March of this year. At my interview i explained that the wage being offered was less than i expected and less than my previous job. The boss said okay what we'll do is enhance your pay at christmas to make up to what i wanted. I agreed to take the position as it was closer to home and meant less travelling. Now it's christmas and no bonus has been paid. I tried to speak to him about this but he put the phone down on me (i was nice and amicable about the matter not wanting to spoil the working relationship for the future). This year i have had to make many changes and re-organise (it is a small company that had no structure within the office. In august the accounts girl left leaving me the only person in the office for two months while they found a replacement. This meant that i had to undertake many other tasks that were not part of my job. I did it to keep the company running.

I started invoicing, chasing debtors, keeping the bank afloat and generally keeping the company going. I have received no thanks for this. They also want me to start running the internet side of the business. Again, something i agreed to so that i could learn a new skill.

I feel really used and now the boss is not talking to me.

I knw many people will say you shouldn't do a job for the money - but isn't that what we all do? I have bills to pay and of course it is christmas.

What should i do? i have no written contract of employment at all and feel i have been completely put upon and used.

ps. I am not trying to make myself sound brilliant - but i have worked really hard!

Answer 1

Like everyone else says, you should have got it in writing. You don't have any recourse. Other then to quit. Personally, I wouldn't bother with grievence letters and all this other BS, that will only cause animosity between you and your boss, your co-workers could be turned against you, etc, besides can you prove he put the phone down on you out of malice? No. Can you prove he said you were going to get a bonus? No. Plus when you speak to a boss about money matters, always do it face to face, otherwise you appear weak and snivelly. He probably doesn't care if you quit, because he can hire a pole or other immigrant that will work just as hard for half the money. Sometimes the grass isn't greener on the other side of the fence, you should've stayed where you were. Lesson learned??

Answer 2

Did you ever get the commitment for the enhancement in pay in writing? This is a must as it is like a binding contract. Also when you started work did you sign a contract and thoroughly read it? Was there any mention of the Pay enhancement? One thing you should never do is talk finance over the phone as you have experienced - he put the phone down on you. Book an appointment with him and sit down and take any facts with you - such as the dates that you were running the office single handedly and if it had not been for your care to the company - things would have not been so successful. Should you not get any joy I would speak to Citizens Advice and find out where you stand on this - if the boss is unwilling to change then I think you should start looking for another job as you will end up being unhappy and resentful.

I wish you the best of luck sorry I could not be of more help.

Answer 3

This is really difficult. You have no contract and no way of proving the agreement that you had.

My first recommendation would be to take all the skills you have learnt and write yourself a great CV, get it out there and see what else is available to you.

Secondly, once you know that there are other jobs - and with your skills and experience there should be - I think you should speak to him face to face. Leave it til after Xmas as many Xmas bonuses are not really paid til January, then with you Jan wage slip in hand, go and see him in his office, ask him if he has time to speak to you and tell him that you havent got your bonus - and ask when you can expect it.

If he is really unhelpful then say ok and get the job huntibng underway. Sounds like he doesnt deserve you and there is nothing more rude than to put the phone down on someone.

If everyone else has left, and then you leave he will learn his lesson.

Answer 4

You don't mention what industry you are in, but I can tell you that the American economy drastically slowed in July.

Your boss sounds frustrated, he may be trying to figure out how to keep the doors open. If you are doing the accounting ask yourself, have the number of days outstanding gotten longer? Are sales by month the same, better, or worse than the same time last year? Is the bank balance as large as it was in the summer?

Times are getting extremely tough out there. Just like your costs to run a household have gone through the roof in the past couple years, so have the costs to run a business.

Back off your boss, and wait and see how the new year works out.

Answer 5

Sounds like youve been keeping his business afloat by doing all the work. I would take the suggestion from the other yahooees and leave. You have the experience to practically run a business. Tell your boss youre leaving if you dont get a rise and a bonus and inform him of all the jobs you've taken up to keep his business where it is. If he still doesnt co-operate, walk. You have the experience and skills to do more than you thought you had when you needed to. You will have absolutly no problems just walking into another job.

Good luck and have a nice Christmas. x

Answer 6

With no written contract in this current job to speak of, I'd suggest you quietly write a CV and look for another job and quit ONLY once you secure a better job. It's evident this boss is blind to your value as an employee, so let him keep his own office afloat, doing your job for a few days, weeks.....or longer.

This could also work out well to your advantage where, if such were to happen, he might call in desperation for your return. THATS WHEN you then have him lay out the NEW terms of employment that are of to YOUR ADVANTAGE. The second he balks, remind him how he lied to get your services the first time.

Don't worry hurting him when you quit; he'll quickly realize you're only doing what he would've done if the roles were reversed; in a wierd way, he may even come to respect you.

Answer 7

Sorry to hear about what has happened to you here. I think you should make a list of all the duties you have done for the company which are above your normal duties and how often you have done them. Then go and speak to your boss, who it sounds is feeling guilty about your situation anyway. With your list you he can clearly see how much you have on your plate and he will also know he promised you a bonus for it. Be strong and remain calm when you speak to him. If you are not happy with the outcome then maybe he is not much of a boss anyway. Start looking around for something that will pay what you are worth. As someone else said get yourself a glowing CV and remember it, it will help you in interviews.
Good Luck!!

Answer 8

I was in a similar position. I laid out a time line of acceptability and what I was willing to take..as far as what I wanted when I wanted it. I went onto places like salary.com printed out those figures and presented it to the HR Manager with no luck, then I scheduled a sit down appointment with the next in charge, with no luck, then with the owner...he went back on his word (like I expected) telling me about how good the benefits were etc etc.. and that as a small business I need to be flexible and take on more not necessarily being paid more...so, I looked for other jobs..got myself in a place financially to make a switch...gave my notice and that's it

Unfortunately, sometimes bosses don't realize the "value-add" of some employees and treat them unfairly--that's a tough place for someone who's motivated to grow and cultivate a career.

I left and started a business.... the boss is great;)

Answer 9

Sounds like a tough situation ~ if there's an HR Dept. you should consider speaking with them. Small companies can be difficult places to work, they generally don't want to pay a competitive wage and you can end up with a lot of additional responsibilities. You could try speaking with your boss a second time or start looking for something that pays what you need.

Answer 10

I would look for employment elsewhere. Don't let him know, then watch his face when you resign.

If you don't have a formal contract of employment, you are on dodgy ground for problems like unfair dismissal.

And do you really want to work for someone that promises you things and doesn't deliver? And who is childish enough to not talk to you? If he treats all his employees like this, the company wont be there for long!

You have proved yourself and he wont reward you for it, tell him to go jump!!! Get yourself a better job, with better pay and a grown up working environment!!