ElwoodBlues

That is the question.

For the past two years I have been working at the local cholesterol distribution center. About 9 months ago I was promoted to management, and the job hasn't been the same since. I was promoted to a "Support Manager" position, which basically means I am to assume all the responsibility and duties of someone running the store, but not get the title, and definately not get paid for it.

In the spring semester I will be transferring to a new school, and it is much farther away. I saw this as my chance to finally quit, so I did. But now I have a dilemma.

The owner of this store, and 12 others in this state, called me tonight. He asked me to reconsider, and offered my a raise of $1.50. That would put me at 10 dollars/hour, a very decent wage for a college student.

I am torn between agreeing to continue working at the store and dealing with the commute for a big ole wage, or just quitting and leaving it behind me. Now it should be said that this job has been the worst aspect of my life for the past two years, and its all I ever talk, complain, and worry about.

I'm 19 years old, and my biggest worry is if the store was closed properly. If they're going to have enough medium cups for tomorrow. This is like some disease. I should not be worrying about medium cups. I should be spending time with my girlfriend, going to parties, and jamming with my friends.

Part of me really wants to just run away from that place, take a few months off from working and really focus on what I want, you know....be a 19 year old college student.

While the other part of me keeps thinking that this has been such a big part of my life for the past two years, and it's hard to give up. It is what I'm good at. It is what I know. It is the only place crazy enough to pay a schmuck like me 10 bucks an hour. That may seem like nothing, but to a poor bastard like me it is ALOT.

I guess I'm just really conflicted about what I want to do. Any thoughts, feelings, advice, or general hatred of fast food is appreciated.

chickentribs

It doesn't sound like money is going to kill you either way - if that is the case then enjoy yourself for a bit, and find a job closer to school. The extra money won't seem so extra after your gas, tires, and the who-knows-what that is inevitable when you start putting extra miles on a car.

Don't get emotionally attached to a job while in school - it sounds like with your experience you could probably go into a shift manager position in any service industry and make darn close to if not the 10/hr. Your priority should be school first so make it easy on yourself. I had every job you can imagine when in school because I was always trying to accommidate my class schedule, and it was fine. Did everything from working as a bricklayer to transcribing medical records. Best job? Delivering pizza - always walked out of there with at least 10 -12/hr cash in my pocket and free dinner. And this was (ahem) years ago. All I did was drive and listen to music all night... Good luck!

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and most oft there Where most it promises
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mosha

get out now. they will suck you back in and they will know they have control. $10/hour is good for college but if you can swing it making less and being happy then go with that option. Plus being in college you shouldn't be worrying about work so much, you'll have plenty of working years in the near future.

tritium

While I worked my way through school at two jobs that eventually developed my resume to the point that I landed the killer job upon graduation (plus a few months... *ahem*), I would probably have done things slightly different given another chance. I missed out on plenty of college life -- the sex, drugs and rock'n'roll, etc. Not to say that I would have engaged in all of the above, given the opportunity, but I do regret, somewhat, missing out on my 19-22 years. I could have probably gotten away with some crazy shit just by nature of my age -- I can't even speed without getting nailed to the wall anymore, but I digress.

Consider that there are decades of working ahead of you, and only a very finite number of years of carefree youth in the now. While your present course of action has plenty of financial benefit, consider what you are truly giving away. In economics, we call the the opportunity cost the sum total of the best forgone opportunity -- what's your opportunity cost for working at the restaurant?

-tritium

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Blah.

Rodney

Leave. As for bosso, note that he didn't really make nice until he thought he was gonna lose you. If he were really on top of things, you'd have been at $10 six months ago and feeling appreciated.

ratbastid

Bingo.

Also: It'd be different if you were really in love with your job, and really WANTED both to move AND to stay. But staying in something you know you hate just because the boss dangled a big enough carrot in front of you is just dumb.

This isn't your practice life, and you only get one shot at it.

Dostoevsky

Dude listen, you should get out and enjoy your life a little. Live it up, things will work out and I don't think you'll miss that job at all. Find a job closer to your new apartment if you need to, even if it pays less.

I mean really dude, you really shouldn't be worried about medium cups in your off time, not even for $10/hour. That's just ridiculous, you're only going to be a 19 year old college student once man. It sounds like you're a responsible and dedicated worker, you'll be able to find new employment for similar pay and less hassle if you need to. Drop that job like it's hot...

-Dostoevsky

ElwoodBlues

I'm leaning more towards leaving. However, I want to accomplish a few things before I leave.

When I spoke with the owner last night, he asked if there are any reasons for my resignation besides switching schools. I told him yes, but I'd much rather meet with him in person and discuss these matters with him. So I will be meeting with him sometime soon. I intend to try to make the workplace better for those who are already there.

First of all, the quality of the store and its employees. Now, we start kids at $6.75, minimum wage. Doesn't seem too bad, except these kids can literally walk across the street to Big Y, and work at an easier job for $7.35 starting pay. Why should they work for us?

They shouldn't. And they don't. Anyone that might be a worthwhile crewperson walks across the street for more money. So we end up with the idiots who can't get a job at Big Y. I dont know why we hire these kids, but we do. So life is made more difficult for everyone there because these lethargic good-for-nothing kids are just that. Good for NOTHING. If this store were to up its starting pay, we could attract more worthwhile employees. Now, if we have a better crew, they're gonna work harder. If everyone is working harder, and there are no idiots, the crew is gonna be happier. With a happy, hard working crew, the customer is going to leave much more satisfied. When a customer leaves satisfied, they come back. And they bring friends. They tell people they had a great experiene at the local cholesterol distribution center, and more people buy this crap. So, if we would hire good employees, we could in theory make more money.

Its that simple. So I want to accomplish that and a few other things before I leave.

__________________
I think Pringles initial intention was to make tennis balls. But on the day that the rubber was supposed to show up, a big truckload of potatoes arrived. But Pringles is a laid back company. They said "Fuck it. Cut em up." -Mitch Hedberg, '68-'05

Bauer's the man.

rfra3645

imo why cant you get a jobin the field you are going to work in? form some of the terms you used mcd's?????

they can often times pay more than 10$

i worked in that field for quite sometime actually met my wife there.. anyway i think that evreyone in that field has the same type of probs you mentioned..low pay = low work ethic...


ugg i work in construction and we start our lowest guys at 8.50 this has increased my opinoin you get what you pay for...

anyway good luck

there are plenty of jobs out there...

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if you cant read my post i dont want to hear about it move on. thanks

indigochild111

YOU WERE OFFERED $10 AN HOUR AND YOU DIDN'T TELL ME?! Okay, now that I've got that outta my system, I will try and look at this from an un-biased perspective and not from a girlfriend who would really like it if you made $10 an hour.

First we will go with why you should keep the job:
1. It is not that much of a commute. 25 minutes, that's how much I commute to my job.
2. They offered you more money. This means that they need you. This means YOU have some bargaining tools. Make some demands (in a respectful manner of course). You need more money because of the commute. You want to be treated with more respect (because god damn, you need that). You want to be a SHIFT manager. Tell Joe that if he wants you to stay, you want a name tag that says SHIFT manager before January.
3. You love to spend money. ANd you do spend A LOT of it. It is also rather difficult to find a job, especially one that will pay you around what you make now (or what you were offered). You have car payments, insurance payments, phone payments. And you like going out.
4. I don't like the idea of you living the "care-free" life and living completely unresponsibly. That may be because I do live the responsible life, and sometimes I feel that I'm not really living at all.

Okay, now onto reasons why you should quit:
1. You are unhappy. You know that your happiness means more to me than money and going out. I'd rather have you get me a card that has something sweet written on it or have you right me a song than have you buy me a movie or jewelry and have you be completely miserable earning that money. (although maybe you can improve your working conditions)
2. Most of the people you work with are complete fools. Some of the managers are horrendous. I think at least one person would love to hurt you. People suck


Okay...I guess that is all I have to say for now

DelayedReaction

Get the hell out man. You can score a much less stressful job near or on campus, and you don't want to have something like that burdening you down while you have academic responsibilities.

Find another job. Do the college thing. Be happier.

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