Posted on 04/23/2007 by Misrbl@work
Viewed: 176 times
I started with this company almost two years ago. At first, I loved the job, until I was moved into the main office with the owner breathing down my neck. I run all sorts of errands, (at my own expense) getting maybe a twenty dollar bill once every two months or so. I live about 3 miles from my office, so a tank of gas should last me well over a week, or even two. Instead I am filling up twice a week to the tune of $80.00-100.00. I was not hired to be a runner, I was hired for office work. I have been given jobs that should be done by other people, because no one else (including the owner) knows how to do them. My boss has yelled at me, thrown papers in my face, and talks about me when I am out of the office. (which i know to be true because a family member that works at the same place has told me what has been said.) I am miserable every day, hate getting out of bed to come to this hell hole, and get frequent headaches, stomach upsets, etc... thinking about work. I am afraid it is affecting my home life as well because my husband is tired of hearing my woes at the end of every day. I cant really afford to quit, but feel as if I should because of the way I am treated. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. thanks
POST A COMMENTtwiz(04/23/2007)
Well the best advice I can offer is to start looking for a new job. It is easier to find a job when you already have a job, than to get one after you've quit. Then if a good offer comes along, you are good to go! Good luck!
avid reader(04/23/2007)
Your health is not worth it. You have to put a stop to it by either getting a new job or putting your foot down at work. You will only be treated like a whipping errand slave if you allow them to treat you this way. You reduce your salary every time you fill up that tank. Don't do it. Put your foot done immediately. And be firm about it.
bigblue(04/23/2007)
You definitely have to stop being bled for all the gas money. If on any level you can tell the Boss the truth--how you were hired to do office work, not errands,etc...tell him. If you don't mind the errands, etc...tell him you can't continue to do it with the price of gas--have details and receipts. If your Boss is so unreasonable the above won't work, tell the Boss that your car insurance only allows you to drive a certain amount--(my car insurance is based on 14 miles per day to work and 14 miles per day from work--call your ins. co. this is how Geico and other companies figure out your amount--I'm not kidding you here) and that you can't pay to upgrade your insurance--especially with all the fuel expenses. And/or you can tell the boss that you are not driving more than you have to because repairs are going to have to be addressed soon and you have to nurse the car along until it is more affordable to have the repairs done. Even if it is a new car--a full tune up is several hundred to a thousand dollars. Add a timing belt for several more hundred if you have 40 or 50 thousand miles on the car.
And always try to get another job before you quit your current one.
Of course, you can take public trans. to work so the issue of a car is a non-issue. You can't get fired for not having a car.
C - -(04/23/2007)
Totally agree with all opinions printed here. Use public transportation if you can, ask relatives or spouse to drop you off/pick you up. Think of a good excuse if asked why you are not using your car.
It's true that you can't be fired for being without a car unless it is part of your job description. I quite happily take public transportation and rides. While I was at one of my jobs my job description was rewritten. New hires needed a valid driver's license and vehicles just to get to work. There always will be one manager who has to make life even more difficult for all employees.
Caution: Right now your boss is throwing "only" paper in your face. This can escalate and you will get hurt. Decide if you want to get out now or want the hassle of calling the police and suing later.
If nothing else use the extra errand time to find a new job and for interviews. Some businesses like to see the applicant drop off a job application in person.
twiz(04/23/2007)
I do like the recommendation to use public transport... that will save you a fortune and maybe get the busy work offloaded onto someone else. That or a company car! ;-)
RedVelvetFlames(04/23/2007)
It never ceases to amaze me how stupid some employers are. So you are basically a "Personal Assistant." I agree with all the advice given to you and am concerned with this man's violent temper. As "C" stated it's only paper today could be worse tomorrow. Blue pointed out this could be an issue with your insurance carrier and she is 100% correct. One important issue is heaven forbid you are in an accident while running his personal errands. There have been cases won based on legal theories of using an employee as a personal assistant. Worker's comp would be another issue altogether. I understand you really need the job, but no one should ever need a job that bad where they are being abused to such a great degree. Call your unemployment office and explain your situation. An employee at times is entitled to unemployment benefits when they have no choice to quit due to your circumstances. What will really put the nail in the coffin is you are using your own personal income and vehicle to do personal errands. This in and of itself is a violation.
RedVelvetFlames(04/23/2007)
Okay I found it! I knew I wasn't going crazy when I was speaking about employer liability for using an office worker as a personal assistant. You can wind up with the company if heaven forbid you were in an accident!
http://smallbusiness.findlaw.com/business-operations/insurance/liability-employee-auto-accident(1).html
the confessor(04/24/2007)
Consult your state employment agency. It's illegal to ask someone to contribute to the business without recompense. Bill them for any back mileage. I knew someone who was in a similar situation and actually was picking up groceries for their boss! They ended up with a $5,000 settlement.
In the meanwhile, do what I once did. When asked to make long trips, I immediately asked about compensation. When I was informed there would be none, I said that my gas tank was empty and so was my wallet...
SouthernProgrammer(04/24/2007)
Misrbl - If your boss is mistreating you and throwing papers at you...this is abuse. How many other people in your office has he asked to run errands? Has he only asked you because you are a woman? I am curious as this could be seen as harrasment. I wouldn't even bother with public transportation or even lying about gas. If he asks you to run errands tell him you will only do so if you use HIS car or a company car and if he tries to pressure you then tell him your insurance may not cover it (http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/r-article-a-2175-m-4-sc-23-drive_your_auto_insurance_in_the_right_direction-i). If he fires you, fantastic you have unemployement or you can raise a big stink with the labor board about being harrassed and forced to run errands. Your boss sounds like a bully who needs putting into his place..
Emmyjune(04/25/2007)
Wow. I would DEFINITELY begin demanding, in a polite yet firm manner, to be compensated for your "errands". Your boss only treats you this way and makes you do such things because you let him. Now don't get me wrong, I've been walked all over just as much as the next girl. But I finally realized that people are NOT going to freak out and hate you (or fire you) for standing up for yourself. They usually will respect you more. Now, your boss does sound a bit off his rocker, so I can't predict his reaction. But you must make an effort to defend yourself not only as an employee, but as a person. If he doesn't comply with your request for fair compensation, file a complaint with the labor board.
And throwing papers in your face?... I can't believe that. Everyone else here is right. This has the potential to escalate. He is a bully, and bullies enjoy using physical intimidation tactics. The next time he does that, keep your cool, DON'T cry or get upset. Tell him in a calm and rational manner that you do not appreciate being treated that way, and would expect the same professional courtesy that you show him. Inform him that you will no longer tolerate such abuse from him. Then, REMOVE yourself from the situation. Do not engage him, and do not give him the reaction he wants. He will probably try to keep you there and perhaps yell at you or get you upset. But don't let him. Bullies thrive on getting a reaction out of their victims. If he persists, tell him that you are going to tend to other things, and will be more than happy to discuss the issue at hand when he is calm.
I'm sorry you're going through this; it's not fair to you at all. But I understand what you mean about not really being financially able to just quit. If worse comes to worse, and he fires you, it could ultimately be a blessing in disguise. You could collect unemployment for a while, and find a better job with a healthier environment. Good luck!
Nobody(04/25/2007)
I did the very same thing until I went to my supervisor and told her this was a burden on me and that it was not in my job discrition.
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