This post may be deemed inappropriate,( I hope not) but I thought I would share my experience.
About 14 months ago I started some part time work with a real estate agency in Bundaberg, 15 hours per week. I was working for two of the agents within the agency who were in a business partnership. About 3-4 months ago they decided they need someone full time. I was offered the position, but due to health issues I knew I would only let them down. I thanked them for their support and said I would be happy to leave there if I couldn't fit in with their plans.
As it turned out the office manager (one of the partners in the business) said that the company and some of the other agents would continue to employ me on my original terms.
He also said that if the company couldn't employ me then the original couple who employed me would change their plans to include me.
It is so gratifying to know that there are organisations out there who really do consider the welfare of their employees.
There are times when I can't physically make it into work because of my condition and the boss has always said, "you were upfront about your condition when you started" so no problem. Of course you don't make a welter of it.
Just as an aside (and this is certainly unsolicited on the part of the company, they don' even know I'm a member of this forum) if you are buying or selling in this area PM me (if you wish, then it's up to you) and I will let you know who they are. I do believe them to be an ethical company.
Again this is not an ad for them. I just wanted to share my experience. After more than 45 yrs working it is one of the few places I enjoy going to work.
I'm also the old bugger in the office so it gives them someone to pick on (just joking, they're fantastic)
Cheers,
John
-- Edited by Jack Mac on Wednesday 18th of September 2013 06:45:53 PM
Jack Mac said
09:44 PM Sep 18, 2013
03_troopy wrote:
Like when your boss says "you have to take a pay cut".. - But you employed me at this rate, so why the change?... Well we have to make some changes, as another company is taking over part of our concern, and they think we pay you too much. - Well can I talk to the new owners and bargain my case with them? No, it's us you have to deal with because we need to reduce your rate before they take over. - So, did they have a problem with my hourly rate? No, they don't know what your hourly rate is. - Can you tell me why I have to take a pay cut again, because I forgot the original reason. You need to take a pay cut because if you don't we'll need to rethink our position and consider restructuring. - Hmm OK, I just bought a an investment property... There are very few (read none) positions for my trade quals at the moment.. And yes, we just had a change of government didn't we..... Where do I sign?
At the new companies sign on proceedure...
Will my already accrued leave be paid at the rate I earned it and with leave loading? - What do you mean? Will it be paid at my previous higher rate? - What do you mean by "previous higher rate"? Well I had to take a pay cut to join your company... - Why did you have to do that? AAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH...................................
I'm sorry Troopy that you apparently have an axe to grind, or maybe I misread your post (if so I Apologise).
I have spent half my life in voluntary union positions, as far up as on executives, negotiating on all sorts of industrial matters.
The point of my post was that no matter what your so called preconceived ideas, there are decent employers out there. Believe me I have seen almost every kind of underhanded I.R. tactic you can imagine, but this still doesn't diminish my faith in the goodness of most people.
By the way, what union were you in that allowed these things to happen. Perhaps you were able to negotiate better by yourself
Cheers,
Jack
-- Edited by Jack Mac on Wednesday 18th of September 2013 09:47:00 PM
Happywanderer said
01:49 AM Sep 19, 2013
Great to hear stories like that John. Great employers. It's very rare to hear a good story, usually the other way round.
jules47 said
02:13 AM Sep 19, 2013
Good to hear that again John - knew you liked your job - but....have you been taking plates of pikelets in to them - maybe that is one reason they like you aroundJust joking, mate!!!
03_troopy said
02:37 AM Sep 19, 2013
Like when your boss says
"you have to take a pay cut"..
- But you employed me at this rate, so why the change?...
Well we have to make some changes, as another company is taking over part of our concern, and they think we pay you too much.
- Well can I talk to the new owners and bargain my case with them?
No, it's us you have to deal with because we need to reduce your rate before they take over.
- So, did they have a problem with my hourly rate?
No, they don't know what your hourly rate is.
- Can you tell me why I have to take a pay cut again, because I forgot the original reason.
You need to take a pay cut because if you don't we'll need to rethink our position and consider restructuring.
- Hmm OK, I just bought a an investment property... There are very few (read none) positions for my trade quals at the moment.. And yes, we just had a change of government didn't we.....
Where do I sign?
At the new companies sign on proceedure...
Will my already accrued leave be paid at the rate I earned it and with leave loading?
- What do you mean?
Will it be paid at my previous higher rate?
- What do you mean by "previous higher rate"?
Well I had to take a pay cut to join your company...
- Why did you have to do that?
AAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH...................................
hako said
05:51 AM Sep 19, 2013
John/Jack - I have to agree there are some decent employers out there. I note that the employers you are praising are real estate agents, a profession that rates pretty low in the public's perception of ethics, down there with car dealers, politicians, lawyers and life insurance salesmen. So that to me makes your post one of note (FWIW). You'd be a good employee too as you give recognition, which is pretty rare today. Good stuff.
Regards
Dougwe said
07:55 AM Sep 19, 2013
This is I digress so nearly all topics are welcome as it's just like sitting around during happy hour at a camp site John. Good to hear your story there. They respect you and by reading your comments, you respect them, great stuff.
I was in local Government for 25 years and most of that in Management level (Transport) so had many staff to deal with. Every Monday morning I had a meeting room booked and supplied a small breakfast, at my expense, not the rate payer. We would enjoy a casual friendly chat for about 30 mins then for the next 30 mins would discuss any problems etc my staff might have. It always was a friendly environment and worked well. I gave respect to them and I got it back. Well worth the hour each week. Only problem was, MY manager was always telling me to sop being so friendly with staff but appreciated that we got the job done and the rate payer appreciated us as well. I went out once a week and spoke with community groups. Politics got too much for me in the end so got out.
edit......I'm sure iPads have a mind of their own.
-- Edited by Dougwe on Thursday 19th of September 2013 07:58:58 AM
03_troopy said
02:53 AM Sep 20, 2013
Jack, there was no position to negotiate from. Part of the company is sold and there is bugger all work coming in, so they can legitimately restructure their work force to suit current climate. At least it was better than being told "we no longer have a position for you"
No axe to grind here mate.... I've ground it so much that only the handle remains.......
This post may be deemed inappropriate,( I hope not) but I thought I would share my experience.
About 14 months ago I started some part time work with a real estate agency in Bundaberg, 15 hours per week. I was working for two of the agents within the agency who were in a business partnership. About 3-4 months ago they decided they need someone full time. I was offered the position, but due to health issues I knew I would only let them down. I thanked them for their support and said I would be happy to leave there if I couldn't fit in with their plans.
As it turned out the office manager (one of the partners in the business) said that the company and some of the other agents would continue to employ me on my original terms.
He also said that if the company couldn't employ me then the original couple who employed me would change their plans to include me.
It is so gratifying to know that there are organisations out there who really do consider the welfare of their employees.
There are times when I can't physically make it into work because of my condition and the boss has always said, "you were upfront about your condition when you started" so no problem. Of course you don't make a welter of it.
Just as an aside (and this is certainly unsolicited on the part of the company, they don' even know I'm a member of this forum) if you are buying or selling in this area PM me (if you wish, then it's up to you) and I will let you know who they are. I do believe them to be an ethical company.
Again this is not an ad for them. I just wanted to share my experience. After more than 45 yrs working it is one of the few places I enjoy going to work.
I'm also the old bugger in the office so it gives them someone to pick on (just joking, they're fantastic)
Cheers,
John
-- Edited by Jack Mac on Wednesday 18th of September 2013 06:45:53 PM
I'm sorry Troopy that you apparently have an axe to grind, or maybe I misread your post (if so I Apologise).
I have spent half my life in voluntary union positions, as far up as on executives, negotiating on all sorts of industrial matters.
The point of my post was that no matter what your so called preconceived ideas, there are decent employers out there. Believe me I have seen almost every kind of underhanded I.R. tactic you can imagine, but this still doesn't diminish my faith in the goodness of most people.
By the way, what union were you in that allowed these things to happen. Perhaps you were able to negotiate better by yourself
Cheers,
Jack
-- Edited by Jack Mac on Wednesday 18th of September 2013 09:47:00 PM
Good to hear that again John - knew you liked your job - but....have you been taking plates of pikelets in to them - maybe that is one reason they like you around
Just joking, mate!!!
"you have to take a pay cut"..
- But you employed me at this rate, so why the change?...
Well we have to make some changes, as another company is taking over part of our concern, and they think we pay you too much.
- Well can I talk to the new owners and bargain my case with them?
No, it's us you have to deal with because we need to reduce your rate before they take over.
- So, did they have a problem with my hourly rate?
No, they don't know what your hourly rate is.
- Can you tell me why I have to take a pay cut again, because I forgot the original reason.
You need to take a pay cut because if you don't we'll need to rethink our position and consider restructuring.
- Hmm OK, I just bought a an investment property... There are very few (read none) positions for my trade quals at the moment.. And yes, we just had a change of government didn't we.....
Where do I sign?
At the new companies sign on proceedure...
Will my already accrued leave be paid at the rate I earned it and with leave loading?
- What do you mean?
Will it be paid at my previous higher rate?
- What do you mean by "previous higher rate"?
Well I had to take a pay cut to join your company...
- Why did you have to do that?
AAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH...................................
Regards
This is I digress so nearly all topics are welcome as it's just like sitting around during happy hour at a camp site John. Good to hear your story there. They respect you and by reading your comments, you respect them, great stuff.
I was in local Government for 25 years and most of that in Management level (Transport) so had many staff to deal with. Every Monday morning I had a meeting room booked and supplied a small breakfast, at my expense, not the rate payer. We would enjoy a casual friendly chat for about 30 mins then for the next 30 mins would discuss any problems etc my staff might have. It always was a friendly environment and worked well. I gave respect to them and I got it back. Well worth the hour each week. Only problem was, MY manager was always telling me to sop being so friendly with staff but appreciated that we got the job done and the rate payer appreciated us as well. I went out once a week and spoke with community groups. Politics got too much for me in the end so got out.
edit......I'm sure iPads have a mind of their own.
-- Edited by Dougwe on Thursday 19th of September 2013 07:58:58 AM
No axe to grind here mate.... I've ground it so much that only the handle remains.......