Job stress(I hate my job and I'm lost career wise)?

Question

Well I got my degree in commerce. I hated accounting with a passion and thought that I would do a trade. I did floor laying/tile setting in the summers.

So I'm an electrician. I am a helper but I already took my 1st year schooling and by the time I'm an apprentice(3 months probation) I will be up 600 hours, half of my first year hours. My plan in my degree was to start my own business. The average age of an electrician here is 50 so most of them are going to be retiring soon so the opportunities are there. They also bill $70/hr plus materials and markup.

So they promised 8 hour days and benefits. Well I am 400 hours into it and work 40 hours overtime a month with no time and a half ever(In my contract), no benefits ever(Also in my contract), and $4 less an hour than other employers. Will it look bad if I quit right after the 3 month mark and I get my apprentice papers signed? I need the reference but the employer lies constantly and everyone hates thier jobs.

I dread work

I also have to say that turnover is very high. We start at 7am. They have forgotten to pay me for the last 3 pay periods. Some guys have actually contemplated drilling through their legs just to get workers comp.

No other outfit here works nearly as long as we do for the crappy pay and zero benefits. Meanwhile our boss told us he only hired us from the neck down. Ya we are the guys that wire your houses.

We also found out that after taxes our boss made 6 million last year and he can't even pay us properly.

A couple guys got hurt and the boss yelled at them for taking time off to go to physiotherapy. I hurt my knee but have been too scared to tell him so I have walked with a limp for the last 7 weeks.

Is it looked down in the trades to change employers this quickly? I have a constant knot in my stomach and I feel depressed each morning I go to work.

Shoud I stick it out for another 5 months and finish my first year and then move on or get another job right now?

Answer 1

Welcome to the construction industry!!
Get your apprenticeship and then start looking for a new job. This is common practice and nobody will be surprised. It's also a common practice to cut people loose just before you have enough hours to complete your apprenticeship.
It's always a challenge to find a good employer. Use your current experience and start writing a list of requirements for a new job so you avoid the same situation in the future. The company not only has to be able to treat you the way you want but also has to have the work to keep you employed. This is typically a trade off.
For help with your resume check source link below.
Starting a business has a steep learning curve but certainly your trade could help you get things started. You know what a bad employer is like so maybe you could be a good one.
Good Luck!

Answer 2

I completely understand where you are coming from on this post. If your degree is commerce, why not try a home based business that focuses on commerce. I work with Market America. You don't have to quit your day job until your Market America store is making you money. If you have questions let me know. I put my store below, so you can get an idea of things. Again, send me an email and I can explain more to you.

Answer 3

You have the right reasons to look for another job after you get your apprentice papers signed. But, you will need to give your 2 weeks notice. After you get your apprentice papers signed you should try to find a new job. Once you get a firm offer then you should submit a 2 weeks notice. Never ever quit from your job before receiving a firm offer. And never ever quit without giving a 2 weeks notice.

Answer 4

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