I have been with this company since August 17, 1998 and it has continually been getting worse for about the past 6 years. They treat us like a number and all they want for us to do is make their 40% margin. Since we have re-opened the Fort Worth office last February, this is their 4th attempt since I've been with the company, they have "laid off" 10 people, and 2 people have quit. They let 2 of them go only a couple days before Christmas. They tried to let go a guy that is going to retire in September go before Christmas also, he has been with the company over 37 years! I am 1 of 3 people left in my department and don't know when my # is going to be next. We are losing customers left and right because of our crappy, over priced service and branch manager that thinks that 2 service people can cover an area almost the size of South Carolina! And I forgot to mention that if you put overtime on your time sheet you'll get written up. I am tired of working 9 and 10 hours a day for 8 hours pay only because I do my job correctly unlike the other 2 guys I work with that pencil whip. My job is to serious to risk 2 years jail time, $2,000 fine, losing my work licenses and my job for me to let things slide.
An ex-employee that started his company about 5 years ago and has continued to grow has been bugging me for years to come to work for him. He has been "given" tons of our neglected customers and may take "my" hospital away due to our crappy service, so if it goes, I might have to go.....

You have too look out for yourself. I just quit my job Sunday, I was a cadmium plater and we had more lay off Friday after Boeing said they were getting rid of 10,000. No I am working at my dads shop. Well I wish you the best and think long and hard.

I don't recall what your occupation is but I would look into finding something else that is stable and not at risk for lay offs. This guy offering you a job might be good. I'm not sure about your retirement, if it's 401k or a pension. A pension is hard to walk away from. If your company was willing to let a guy go after 37 years, they are likely to do it to you.

My daughter's uncle went through some of the same things you are. He worked his butt off at his job for about 15 years skipping breaks, overtime, on-call, etc. He was in a supervisory position. The last call was when his boss said they were going to hire someone else (below him) at a starting pay than what he worked for 15 years. The boss said everyone would just have to understand. That was the last straw for him. He found something another job. They asked how much he wanted to stay. He told him what this new job would pay him and they said they couldn't do that. He seems much happier with this new job with better pay and they pay more for his health insurance too.

I hope the best for you in whatever you decide.
I have been with my company for almost 19 years not I was there three months and they slowed down i was laid of at Christmas time for three weeks they were very nice to me I got a bonus 200 cash at that time 1990. ever since then I always had ot up to 60 hours a week right after Christmas this year we are all on 40 and some bench guys were laid off. I am hoping for things to pick up all around.

I work for the State of Florida, we have always said that you will never get rich by working for the state, but at least we'll have some security!? Now that is in limbo. We are looking at two week layoff, cut in pay by 6.6% among other terminating people on O.P.S. and folks on "the drop program" (people who have retired and still choose to work for up to five years on a deffered comp program.) I can only sympathize with you I have been laid off at the textile mill to never return, that is when I got a job with the state, been there now for 10 years (3 yrs O.P.S.)

I work in fire protection, it's kind of like I'm a Fire Marshal , licensed by the Texas State Fire Marshal's office to inspect commercial buildings to make sure they meet or exceed NFPA, UBC, IBC, AHJ, etc. codes and requirements for fire alarm and fire sprinkler. And not every sprinkler head goes off like in the movies unless it is a fuel storage tank or aircraft hanger!

The "good" list:
1. company van (I hate vans but it's free!)
2. company gas card
3. company phone
4. good pay
5. 401k matched up to 5%
6. less expensive healthcare
7. I have almost always gotten more than a dollar an hour raise every year (tripled my pay since I've started)
8. just got another raise.
9. never been written up

The "bad" list:
1. treated like a #
2. nobody in management listens to you or has done your job (all sales people)
3. thrown into doing work that you have never done or been trained to do (basically made to look stupid for the customer that is paying premium prices for our big company name)
4. tons of repetitive paperwork
5. other employees don't do their work correctly so I end up getting yelled at by customers for doing my job right
6. gps trackers on trucks like they don't trust us and are constantly watched like kids
7. have pretty much been top of my class at what ever testing or training they have put me through
8. I'm not a but kisser and never will be (I've tried but it only lasts about 30 seconds )
9. I'm not a quitter (this is only my fifth job and hoped it would be my last)
10. job has turned me into a mean person, I used to be nice, seriously!

Remember I started this job when I was 20 and I'm only 31 now.
And in less than 14 months the house will be paid off, no car payments or credit card debt.
But have just acquired some unexplainable, fairly serious health issues that I'm sure stress and extra work doesn't help.

No job is worth your health.

I thought I had it made, working for myself in IT, working my own schedule (for the most part), choosing my own clients, and getting good money for it.

Now I'm working corporate since December 1st, one of probably 400 people in our location, but not "just a number". I literally know by name probably half of the employees and what they do, and they likewise recognize me. I am the "front line" support for all tech issues from corporate VP and CFO through mobile sales force through call center ops. It's a lot of job, some days I feel that 20 years of experience is not enough to prepare for this position, and most every day brings a new challenge. There is good medical, dental and vision coverage at reasonable employee contribution rates, and 5% match on 401K capped at $3K.

I replaced three techs, one could not handle the job and was let go but the other two were moved to other call centers. Working 50 to 60 hours on salary is the norm, and I go home tired. But it's good work, it's honest work, the people are for the most part great, and my IT teammates are the best. Oh, and days off are no problem at all, and 6 personal and 10 vacation days a year to start make it even nicer. I am working on proving "work at home" for IT, there is very little I cannot do remotely.

If you dread getting up and going to work in the morning, then your job will eventually kill you. Either change the job, or your outlook on it.

Dont quit until you've secured another job. You're much more marketable while you're employed. Once you secure another offer letter, you could go back to your current employer and try to renegotiate your position. Create competition for your services... that includes potential future employers.

I used to love my job but the past few years I've begun to hate it more and more. It depends on where I'm going to as far as whether or not I dread it. I used to take pride in my job, that has long gone, but I still do my job correctly. I almost want to change fields all together but have put a lot of time into this job. I've applied for a few Fire Marshall jobs over the years but of course I'm turned down because I've never been a fireman and I "look" too young. I've got the book smarts and experience for the job. As far as my health, I can't figure it out. I'm going to the doctor on the 25th, first time to see a doctor since I was 19. I never got sick growing up until now and it seems pretty bad to me.

I forgot about vacation etc.

More "good" list:
4 weeks vacation
5 days of PTO
3 floating holidays (basically PTO)
11 holidays

There's about a million people out there that would love to be in your shoes. You'd better think this one through before making a quick move.

I really don't want to quit but if we keep losing customers because of poor management etc. then I'll probably be next to go or maybe not. I really rather wait until I got laid off to get another job, I've never been fired or laid off before but, I like stability and to a point this job is. The money isn't the issue, I get paid well and the way the economy is I'm lucky to have a job. It just seems my company is sinking mainly because of it's greed for money, inefficiency and lack of listening to the customer. If you don't have customers you don't have a company. We are the largest fire protection company in the world but not for long if it keeps going this way.

Sounds like your company is traveling the same road that Rock Financial and a lot of other big companies have chosen.

Shop yourself around before headlines hit that your company is screwing things up. Once that happens, no matter how good you are, you're kind of tainted with the company's stink.

Though you likely won't match that timeoff package, you can use it to negotiate favorably in an interview.

My 90 day trial period is up at the end of the month and my benefits kick in, I am also figuring on a raise...

I've had to earn the vacation time. Started off with 2 weeks, after 5 years I got 3 weeks and after 10 years I got 4 weeks. I actually took off the month of September about 2 years ago, it was great!

And good luck on the raise.

So voice your opinion to the CEO on how to retain customers. With your tenior, that person should listen. Everyone wants the same thing for their company, increase profits, add more to the bottom line, More work less people (less pay)= more NTM (Net to me) That's the bottom line! That cant happen without edcuated and teniored people such as yourself. At the same time, you need to focus on customer serviceablitly, retaining clients, PR work. You're right, if you just focus on the bottom line and forget customers, it may be easy to find another job supporting the same customer working at a new company.
Who (and where ) are the people you enjoy working with?

I enjoy and have enjoyed working for several different customers like Texas Motor Speedway and JPS Hospital. We lost TMS 2 years ago. My job is pretty neat in that I get to see just about every kind of job and company out there. I've seen beer bottles being made to riding around the track at TMS to c-sections at the hospital. When we were just the Dallas office we covered from the Louisiana border to OK border to Abilene to Waco.

You could be a Detroit Police officer..

Get spit on, shot at, drive company vehicle and get shot at, get yelled at because "we called 4 hours ago", get yelled at because we didn't yell at "baby's daddy" long or mean enough, get flipped off, get flipped off by grandma, get flipped off by kids. get called white devil, Hitler, blue eyed devil, cracker, white "N",

Get punched, kicked, bit, deal with crack breath, bad breath, no teeth, rotten teeth, no teeth.

Get pissed on, pissed over, have to clean up piss and crap out of back of scout car.

Have to be a psychologist, Judge, doctor, mechanic, dog catcher, cat remover, raccoon killer, house checker, door installer, splinter remover, traffic barrel, traffic director, speed bump, bad news breaker, child chastizer, child mentor, smoke detector installer,

Supposed to know everything..when fathers day is, where the new McDonalds is, what time does the McDonalds close, who is working at McDonalds? When is DPS going to change the light bulb, when is the trash going to be picked up? when is my road going to be fixed? When does the animal shelter close? library, where do I catch the Dexter and Woodward bus? What bus line am I on and what number bus do I catch?

And when you can's answer any of the previous questions, "What is your name and badge number? I pay taxes and your salary".

Maybe you should stay...

You are obviously not happy there and been considering a move. Your friend sent an invite. Trust your instincts.

I say go for it, but be well prepared for a long haul.

P.S. Detroit is hiring...

don't quit.wait till they lay you off so you can get unemployment and stay at home for a while and work on your bird and spend quality time with your family

A couple of jobs I have had come to mind when thinking about employees and bosses. One boss was the son-in-law of the owner and he was an idiot and a jerk. He hired people that basically didn't work and I ended up taking care of their load. The way the business operated was a joke although I liked the work itself. I started getting stomachaches and decided to leave that job. Another job, the benefits were great but it was stressful. I started getting heartburn really bad and put on prescription drugs. I quit that job and went back to my old one. Both times I quit I had no more stomach problems. I don't regret quitting either at all. Yeah there are always a few idiots at almost every job but one has to look at the whole business operation. Also, a person spends most of their time working. Even if one gets 4 weeks vacation, the other 48 weeks is spent at a job a person might dread.

Jeremy, it sounds like you like the work you do, just not the way business is handled. This ex-worker obviously knows your a good worker and would appreciate you I think. He has had the business for 5 years and most new businesses close within 1-2 years. As an insider at your job, you see where things are heading with the company. This guy is will most likely pick up the old clients and continue to grow. Maybe take some time to think about things and maybe take a little vacation time if possible. I would wait to see what the doc says too before making any decisions. I hope you feel better and please let us know how things go.

Banshee, hats off to you for doing your job. I would think Detroit would be one of the worst places to work as a police officer.

I think your totally right with trusting your instincts. Every time I didn't listen to mine, it came back to bite me.

You do know how to motivate people, LOL! Sounds like you should look for a new job!



More important then the paycheck (although quite important) or the status or whatever, is whether or not you like your job. Since you spend a substancial part of your life at the job, enjoying it is essential, not only to keep a good feeling, but also to keep a good health and a good life...

It is a tough decision though; is it the job itself you dislike, or the circimstances in which you are doing it. I understand it is the latter. i agree you should confront your superiors with the flaws in the way the company is run. Sometimes this will get you ahead, in a place where you can change things. Whether or not you would like that (the danger exists you might change the field for an office if you do) is up to you. If you friend owns a company which provides a better environment for the same job, go for it.

Good luck, not easy...

If a job or a relationship changes you to something you don't like, that's usually a sign that things have to change or get out.

But one thing to consider is the medical. When starting a new job a lot of health plans don't pay for pre-existing conditions for the first year and a lot of times benefits don't start in the first 90 days. Maybe legislation or policies have changed on that matter in the last few years. I'm not sure. That's one reason to wait to see what the doc says before making a decision. You might be entitled to certain benefits with your current job if you need to take time off on medical leave, etc. The job may be causing the health issues or maybe not. Your health is most important and see what your doctor advise. I think you'll make the right decision for yourself when the time is right.

best two advices here I think are
1) dont quit until you have another job
2) stay around longer ,its a pretty good job ,especially in these leaner times....and keep looking for the better job.

you must be on your lap top at dunkin doughnuts tom....lol.just kidding

I'd negotiate with your buddy on the similiar job....you will still need a van or transportation etc....and go after those contracts you are doing now! If your friends firm is stable in this climate...I would jump ship sooner than later, as it sounds like you may be laid off soon anyhow...puts you in better bargaining power as well.

I have always left employment I hated, and never looked back..and always made move for the better, even if it was for the short term..too bad I can't leave this one (as part owner LOL)

They will always need fire inspectors....pretty doubtful the underwriters will relax requirements due to the economy!

always nice to have unemployment to fall back on if things don't work out the way you want.it will help with the bills till something better comes up

And the pay is good!

Only thing i like about my jod is being here and PY all day.
And the parts connections.

I like what I do, just not the company. I would like to work for a fire dept, about 5 guys have left our company to work for a fire dept, of which I have applied for a few positions over the years with no luck. I have until about September when the hospital contract is due for renewal and whether or not we get it. Like I said before, he has been bugging me for several years but I hate starting over.

And Banshee, I do A LOT of work at jails and feel some of your pain, did I mention that I had to crawl inside the a/c ducts at Tarrant County Jail over the cells for several floors. I think the Womens Federal Prison was probably the best because they were more interested in each other than with us, lots of flat tops hair cuts!

Sometimes the grass is greener, sometimes not. But always greener over a septic field no matter how bad it is.

Just trying to show a darker side of how bad it is out there, not taking anything away from your situation at all. I have been on the cusp of a layoff twice and a 10% pay cut once, and currently being debated if we speak.

It sucks, but what can you do?

Trust me, I have seen worse jobs and with the way things are now, I'm lucky to even have a job. I try to leave work at work and ride my motorcycle or work on other little hobbies to relieve stress. Part of our reasoning for paying off our house so fast is that if we do get laid off we could comfortably live on one income.

A motto I live by:

Do good work
Have fun
Make money

If you are satisfied with at least 2 of these, you should be happy. All three, life is great. Only one, It's time for a new job.

Hang in there..

There is always Thorazine and Prozac!

I appreciate all the words of wisdom. I'm going to wait it out until either I get laid off or we lose that big account.

...and keep buying your buddy the odd pint on Fridays

I learned too much work, trying (successfully) to pay off my kitchen over 12 months, plus some other major life crisis thrown in, plus the fast paced nature of "my" job, provided the same riding motorcycle and hobbies to "escape". But in all actuality, probably masked the fact I was burned out.

Maybe you are burned out? I realized that last year..stress so bad I snapped easily. As soon as I read up on the issue, recognized the signs and admitted that I was, did I finally begin to feel better.

Some things you can not change. Recognize and accept that. Problems out of your control are just that. Don't worry about them. Don't make others issues yours. You will neither be recognized or compensated for your efforts.

My advice, slow down, take a great vacation and leave "life" behind for the time.

oh...when I first read this, I misunderstood you.... I left out "off" in that second statement...

Guess what happened totally out of the blue, I got ANOTHER job offer today from a competitor that I have worked together with at JPS hospital for about 5 years, I would do the fire alarm, he would do the fire sprinkler. He is now in the office and wants me to come over there and would beat my current wage. They are a nationwide company, much like my current employer just not as big. I would be working with almost only fire sprinkler systems but they want to get more into fire alarms and for me to be their main person. I told him that I would set up an interview with him. The other small company wants me to do fire alarms and get their sprinkler side started up, but probably wouldn't be able to beat my current wage. I think I am going to feel them out in the next couple weeks.

There you go!

Things looking up already. Keep a clear mind and you will make the right choice.

Great news for the weekend.

Funny how things happen.

Good for you! You are being head hunted right now.. You're too hot to handle! Watch out, all sprinklers might go off!