furious!! call me Mr McFury

[elsparko]

my phone has been off since friday (personal phone), got a txt yesterday when i turned it on sayin that there was callouts and that my phone should be switched on and charged!

1. there isnt an on call rota even though ive mentioned it
2. ive been doing the callouts for about 3 months prior, no time off at xmas and about 30 callouts over 20december to 6th jan
3. dont get paid a retainer to be on standby

i thought i would be calmer when i woke u today but do you lot think i should stick this job where the sun doesnt shine? been offered a new start on monday so got another job to go to

 

[kenny7askew]

If you want to stay there I would discuss your concerns with your employer,ultimately we are all self employed so if you feel you are not valued properly you are free to seek what you feel you are worth elsewhere

 

[Octopus]

my phone has been off since friday (personal phone), got a txt yesterday when i turned it on sayin that there was callouts and that my phone should be switched on and charged!

Presumably the message was from the boss.

You need to (constructively) talk about on call payments, rotas, etc

And if you are not happy, then walk ..................

 

[Pete999]

my phone has been off since friday (personal phone), got a txt yesterday when i turned it on sayin that there was callouts and that my phone should be switched on and charged!

1. there isnt an on call rota even though ive mentioned it
2. ive been doing the callouts for about 3 months prior, no time off at xmas and about 30 callouts over 20december to 6th jan
3. dont get paid a retainer to be on standby

i thought i would be calmer when i woke u today but do you lot think i should stick this job where the sun doesnt shine? been offered a new start on monday so got another job to go to

3 no retainer for being on call, if they want an "on call" to work thensurelya payment should be made, along with phone usage etc, if none is forthcoming then don't do it simple really, especially, if like you say, you have another job to go to, shove the on call where the Sun don't shine.

 

[elsparko]

my heart is telling me to take my tools out the van and dump it outside the office

my brain is telling me to argue, for flexing up lights on chains in a shed my boss asked why i cant use twin and earth from the pendant to the light fitting

its a buildup of things but this is going to be the straw that breaks the camels back i think

tried to get me to connect up a gas cooker other week!

 

[Deleted account]

IT depends on your commitment to your job. If your grateful to your employer that you have employment and are committed to improving the company you work for and want to progress, and make more money then keep your phone on.

If you think of it as just a job. Clock on clock off. Good luck, I don't think there are electrical jobs out there like that.

 

[Deleted account]

Based on post 5 I would walk.

 

[elsparko]

IT depends on your commitment to your job. If your grateful to your employer that you have employment and are committed to improving the company you work for and want to progress, and make more money then keep your phone on.

If you think of it as just a job. Clock on clock off. Good luck, I don't think there are electrical jobs out there like that.

i work to live, not live to work

there are 2 other sparkies at the company, both time served that have done 1 or 2 callouts each since xmas

when 1 of the plumbers needs a driver its usually me as he doesnt drive

im only just away to sit my FICA so should not be basically running an electrical company

i make PLENTY of profit for them through the week

 

[Octopus]

tried to get me to connect up a gas cooker other week!

Alarm bells ringing.

 

[Midwest]

Only you know whether you should leave or not; you don't want to jump from the frying pan into the fire. And you don't want to have a list of different short term employments on your CV.

Perhaps you should speak to your employer, before making your decision.

 

[elsparko]

Alarm bells ringing.

i refused to do it, so did the other sparky

got moaned at down the phone "can you not just connect it" , had to drive to the office to pick up a plumber (not gas safe) who was willing to connect it up.

for the stage im at in my apprenticeship i think im fairly knowledgeable, but i do not know everything and would like a boss/colleague that i could ask questions to when things do arise

 

[elsparko]

i feel like im working for a delboy outfit and that really annoys me

 

[Pete999]

my heart is telling me to take my tools out the van and dump it outside the office

my brain is telling me to argue, for flexing up lights on chains in a shed my boss asked why i cant use twin and earth from the pendant to the light fitting

its a buildup of things but this is going to be the straw that breaks the camels back i think

tried to get me to connect up a gas cooker other week!

Your Boss sounds like a right S--- Head, taking you for a ride Mate, if you let him continue taking the rise, it will be your undoing, walk away if you have another job to walk in to, your Boss will promiss to change his ways just to keep you on, I had one like that when I started out, after finishing my Apprenticeship, I jacked my job, best thing I ever did, you can get comfortable in a job like that, because the more you let him get away with things, the worse Tradesman you become.

 

[Midwest]

If its any consolation, you are not the first or will be the last to be taken 'advantage of'. I started my apprenticeship when I was 16. Soon as I past my test at 17 & got a car, I worked at jobs some distance from home and never got paid mileage. Not long after that, I was sent to small jobs on my own, using my car. I complained and asked for company van and got moved onto site work for a couple of years, before going back to jobbing. Never got a van, and left the company soon as I completed my apprenticeship. Suppose they got their monies worth, out of their apprentice.

Its all part of life's rich tapestry.

 

[KEV 1 N]

You should be getting payment for “being” on call, regardless of whether your called out. If called out, you should also be paid from leaving home to returning inclusive.(outside your normal working hours)
If you’ve got another fix, then I’d threaten to leave unless things improve.
Plus if it’s your own personal phone, then you have no obligation to use it for the company’s benefit (unless you’ve been paid an allowance for its use)

 

[elsparko]

no allowance paid for my personal phone, which is why im so annoyed , like who do they think they are?

my last boss was pretty good, if you did need to take your own car he let you fill up your tank at his diesel pump for free, rarely had to do this though and no it wasnt red diesel lol

most nights i have about 2 hours of paperwork to do that is unpaid , i know i can get equal money for less stress

 

[KEV 1 N]

no allowance paid for my personal phone, which is why im so annoyed , like who do they think they are?

my last boss was pretty good, if you did need to take your own car he let you fill up your tank at his diesel pump for free, rarely had to do this though and no it wasnt red diesel lol

most nights i have about 2 hours of paperwork to do that is unpaid , i know i can get equal money for less stress

Seriously.....they are taking the mickey!

 

[elsparko]

no allowance paid for my personal phone, which is why im so annoyed , like who do they think they are?

my last boss was pretty good, if you did need to take your own car he let you fill up your tank at his diesel pump for free, rarely had to do this though and no it wasnt red diesel lol

most nights i have about 2 hours of paperwork to do that is unpaid , i know i can get equal money for less stress

Seriously.....they are taking the mickey!

definitely seems that way, i think for the sake of my bosses health i should email my notice , if i do it in person i may just armwrestle him.

 

[The Ghost]

I would say don't burn your bridges. Give notice according to your contract. The other job offer should wait if they are genuine. That way you could always go back cap in hand and beg for your old job. Also you can get a reference from them. And your new empoyers will note that you do things the right way.

 

[Madocks]

Why did you turn you phone off? Im getting the feeling you did this to promote this discussion with management regarding on call payment?

If so, its worked

 

[elsparko]

I would say don't burn your bridges. Give notice according to your contract. The other job offer should wait if they are genuine. That way you could always go back cap in hand and beg for your old job. Also you can get a reference from them. And your new empoyers will note that you do things the right way.

im expected to use a 10metre high scaffold tower, with only 2 working stabilisers , on sand tomorrow, id rather get this done and dusted before that ideally LOL

i do know what youre saying, this particular employer sacks guys with no notice though, just pulls them into office and tells them to go home, been about 4 other sparkies came and gone in the time ive been there, they werent good sparkies but still they got no notice period and had done nothing majorly wrong

 

[elsparko]

Why did you turn you phone off? Im getting the feeling you did this to promote this discussion with management regarding on call payment?

If so, its worked

got home and went straight onto xbox, if you knew the struggle of working during the blizzard conditions here you would understand, the other 2 sparkies have been off all week and they expect me to just jump into my workclothes "yessa massa"

 

[Madocks]

if you knew the struggle of working during the blizzard conditions here you would understand, the other 2 sparkies have been off all week"

You got no idea, in Wales we had 2 inches of snow! I had to walk to Sainsburies this week! The struggle is real!

 

[Madocks]

What are the other sparks like? can you get together and have a chat about what you want the company to pay / provide

 

[elsparko]

What are the other sparks like? can you get together and have a chat about what you want the company to pay / provide

they are both seeking employment elsewhere because they are sick of the unpaid paperwork and being asked to do jobs outwith their remits

 

[elsparko]

they are both decent sparkies, there is no appreciation for them though, boss prices smoke alarm jobs for a whole day but expects you to do it in half a day regardless if it is a 1 bed flat or a 3 storey house

EICR expected to be on site for only two hours, if any problems come up on jobs there is usually a big moan about it, makes you resent telling them anything even though it is nobodies faault, they make you feel responsible for the supporting wall being granite

 

[telectrix]

im expected to use a 10metre high scaffold tower, with only 2 working stabilisers , on sand tomorrow, id rather get this done and dusted before that ideally LOL

i do know what youre saying, this particular employer sacks guys with no notice though, just pulls them into office and tells them to go home, been about 4 other sparkies came and gone in the time ive been there, they werent good sparkies but still they got no notice period and had done nothing majorly wrong

im expected to use a 10metre high scaffold tower, with only 2 working stabilisers , on sand tomorrow, id rather get this done and dusted before that ideall

totally against all H&S. tell the boss to shove his scaffold tower UP HIS ARSE.

 

[elsparko]

im expected to use a 10metre high scaffold tower, with only 2 working stabilisers , on sand tomorrow, id rather get this done and dusted before that ideall

totally against all H&S. tell the boss to shove his scaffold tower UP HIS ARSE.

i did last week and they took us off site to get it sorted, and then just booked it in for the next monday without arranging other suitable access?!?!?!

 

[Dannyg8810]

Let’s hope your employers not a member in here .

You need to have this out with your employer if your not happy mate . You never know things may change

If not then leave if that’s what you want

 

[elsparko]

Let’s hope your employers not a member in here .

You need to have this out with your employer if your not happy mate . You never know things may change

If not then leave if that’s what you want

ive got 5 years guaranteed work at a site this year and a job offer for a start tomorrow, 2 minutes from my house on a new build school

to put my situation bluntly im paid the least and do the most and feeling rather salty about it all

 

[Pete999]

ive got 5 years guaranteed work at a site this year and a job offer for a start tomorrow, 2 minutes from my house on a new build school

to put my situation bluntly im paid the least and do the most and feeling rather salty about it all

Time to go walkies Mate, defo taking you for a mug to put it bluntly.

 

[Madocks]

Are you part of a union there?

 

[Cadgey123]

Sounds like you need to pack your tools up.
No point losing sleep over it. If you have a new job take it and make sure you know what you are getting into.

 

[Pete999]

ive got 5 years guaranteed work at a site this year and a job offer for a start tomorrow, 2 minutes from my house on a new build school

to put my situation bluntly im paid the least and do the most and feeling rather salty about it all

Time to go walkies Mate, defo taking you for a mug to put it bluntly. I would also question, with due respect, whether an Apprentice should be expected to do out of hours emergency work, of course that depends on what type of an Apprenticeship you have, one where the Bloke who employs you has registered you as an Apprentice with legitimate paperwork etc, or he is employing to get the most he can out of you, until you reach the stage in your training, where you consider yourself qualified, the later sounds about right in this case.

 

[telectrix]

SO MAKE THE CHANGE.

 

[Dannyg8810]

ive got 5 years guaranteed work at a site this year and a job offer for a start tomorrow, 2 minutes from my house on a new build school

to put my situation bluntly im paid the least and do the most and feeling rather salty about it all

That’s not right ,just do what’s best for you

 

[The Ghost]

As I said before, re the tower, a call to HSE. That is unacceptable.

 

[AJshep]

I'm in a similar situation elsparko its easy for us to say what you should do pal !
I'm sure there are good sides to your company and other factors to consider but in all honestly it seems like this firm you are working for is only really after one thing, it doesnt seem like your ever really going to get the chance to reach your full potential where you are.
Whats your long term plan ?
Is this site job really the one to leave for ?

Basically want im saying is, If you want to fly like an eagle you dont want to be surrounded by turkey's !
I just need to take my own advise. Good luck

 

[telectrix]

but flying like an eagle surrounded by turkeys means food is available with minimal hunting skills.

 

[elsparko]

i want to gain more experience in the industrial/commercial side of things and be competent in all fields to an extent where i can start up my own business

just had 3 more missed calls and a text telling me to make up my own worksheets for friday, they just made my mind up for me lol, was going to negotiate possibly but no way am i staying to be treated like a slave

they tried calling one of the other sparkies for a callout before xmas whilst he was in hospital waiting for his child to be born, he got some angry texts and moaned at for that, unbelievable

 

[AJshep]

but flying like an eagle surrounded by turkeys means food is available with minimal hunting skills.

Yep, kinda the point.

 

[elsparko]

Yep, kinda the point.

i dont want to be stuck doing menial installs my entire life, i want my brain to be worked also

 

[Pete999]

i want to gain more experience in the industrial/commercial side of things and be competent in all fields to an extent where i can start up my own business

just had 3 more missed calls and a text telling me to make up my own worksheets for friday, they just made my mind up for me lol, was going to negotiate possibly but no way am i staying to be treated like a slave

they tried calling one of the other sparkies for a callout before xmas whilst he was in hospital waiting for his child to be born, he got some angry texts and moaned at for that, unbelievable

Reckon this Boss of yours needs a stiff talking to, out of sight

 

[ipf]

Time to go walkies Mate, defo taking you for a mug to put it bluntly. I would also question, with due respect, whether an Apprentice should be expected to do out of hours emergency work, of course that depends on what type of an Apprenticeship you have, one where the Bloke who employs you has registered you as an Apprentice with legitimate paperwork etc, or he is employing to get the most he can out of you, until you reach the stage in your training, where you consider yourself qualified, the later sounds about right in this case.

Just had a read through and it looks Pete's hit a nail head, here. I wouldn't be expecting an apprentice to be on call out duty for emergency work.
Is this dodger boss charging electricians' full rate x ? (for out of time work) and paying at an apprentice rate?
....and what is he doing employing qualified sparks and instructing them on electrical matters, presuming he has no personal qualifications?

 

[AJshep]

i dont want to be stuck doing menial installs my entire life, i want my brain to be worked also

That was the point I trying to make.

You company sounds like all the rest of those common multi-trade type setups. Young guys, carp wages and high turnover of employee's.

 

[elsparko]

Just had a read through and it looks Pete's hit a nail head, here. I wouldn't be expecting an apprentice to be on call out duty for emergency work.
Is this dodger boss charging electricians' full rate x ? (for out of time work) and paying at an apprentice rate?
....and what is he doing employing qualified sparks and instructing them on electrical matters, presuming he has no personal qualifications?

paid above jib rates as i have really good references , dont get overtime for any hours just standard rates all the way through

i think he may have been an electrician at one point, but not a very good one , he instructed one of the other boys to put an indoor junction box on an outside lighting circuit and fill it with ordinary silicone, the boy refused as would i.

 

[elsparko]

Just had a read through and it looks Pete's hit a nail head, here. I wouldn't be expecting an apprentice to be on call out duty for emergency work.
Is this dodger boss charging electricians' full rate x ? (for out of time work) and paying at an apprentice rate?
....and what is he doing employing qualified sparks and instructing them on electrical matters, presuming he has no personal qualifications?

paid above jib rates as i have really good references , dont get overtime for any hours just standard rates all the way through

i think he may have been an electrician at one point, but not a very good one , he instructed one of the other boys to put an indoor junction box on an outside lighting circuit and fill it with ordinary silicone, the boy refused as would i.

 

[Pete999]

paid above jib rates as i have really good references , dont get overtime for any hours just standard rates all the way through

i think he may have been an electrician at one point, but not a very good one , he instructed one of the other boys to put an indoor junction box on an outside lighting circuit and fill it with ordinary silicone, the boy refused as would i.

Come across a few of these dipsticks during my career, anything for a cheap job, if you were south of the border, I would reckon I may know who you are talking about lol

 

[elsparko]

Come across a few of these dipsticks during my career, anything for a cheap job, if you were south of the border, I would reckon I may know who you are talking about lol

he does have an english accent..., first initial? lol

 

[Sparkie30]

Mate id move on and then you will realise how rubbish he was. Talking from experince here. 5 years with privious kunt. Did call outs also for him, working on old reyfield boards live for 70£ a call out. Out of hours work. Had enough. Left him, earning alot more then used to with that kunt.

There is a massive world out there.

Good luck and be positive.