Keep getting kicked while we're down *Update in #13*

[Mama~Love]

I don't know how much more we can take. I've been working fulltime as a temp for the last 6 months at the same place DH works. I applied for an opening to become a fulltime employee, and was offered the job. Now for a bit of history, for the past 8 years, I've been working at home assembling piece work for the same company, making grat money which we need to make ends meet despite me working fulltime now.

So, when I was offered the job, I asked if it would be possible to still do the piecework at home. The HR person didn't know, they called corporate HQ, and they didn't know. So, DH just called me & told me that someone there just decided this morning to have the piecework built in-house, taking it away from us, saying that the #'s were going down, which in fact they are going up.

This is such BS, I'm so mad right now I could really kick someone's butt. After DH & I both getting a 15% paycut, for a total of 30% between us, now they are taking this away from us. DH has been with this company for 18 years, I met DH there when I was working there ab out 10 years ago.

I'm so upset right now - I don't know what to do. We can't make it without that money. This was a major kick in the stomach when we are already hurting from the paycut. It's such a load of BS!

I'm afraid to go to work today that if I see this person who did this (I know who it is), he might get a real mouthful of words, and not very nice ones either. What a terrible thing to do to us.

[eirual]

It's clear where their priorities lie (looking out for themselves without a care for loyalty). Yours should be in the same place apparently. Look out for yourselves. If it means seeking new employment, start looking. If it means correcting an error someone made (about the numbers going down when in fact they're going up) look into handling that with tact.

If you can't handle the situation in a positive manner at this point in time, then go through the motions until you have a clear and PRODUCTIVE plan in place. Reaming someone out isn't going to actually accomplish anything. Breathe, think, and do what you can to right the situation once you're emotionally stable enough and mentally clear.

Good luck!

[Mama~Love]

Thanks, I've calmed down some. DH called again & said that because they thought I'd take the new job, they would have to figure out something to do about the piecework, which is why they siad they'd do it in-house, since I can't do the piecework as a fulltime employee. I would stay a temp & still do piecework then, instead of becoming a permanent employee & having the piecework taken away.

DH said that there will be a meeting tomorrow about it, and he'll be going as well since it affects his department, and will help clear up any misunderstandings. I know the last time there was an opening for a permanent position, I got upset because I was passed over for someone with no experience in the department the job was for. So, now that I have the job if I want it, they thought I'd take it. I haven't yet, because we were waiting to hear if it would be possible to still do the piecework.

So, it's partly our fault, partly theirs. I won't be taking the job if it means I can't do the piecework. I hope things get straightened out tomorrow.

[CarrieMF]

since I can't do the piecework as a fulltime employee.

Could you realistically do both the full time & the piecework? If so, perhaps you need to be at this meeting or at least write a letter to them to have at the meeting.

[Polliwog]

Wouldn't doing work at home put you over 40 hours a week? Then they'd have to pay you overtime for doing work that you were already doing for a lot less money.

[Mama~Love]

I get paid by the piece for the piecework, then an hourly wage as a temp.

Yes, I can do both; I have been for the last 6 months since I went back to work.

I can't make it to the meeting; don't think I'd be allowed there anyway. I hope DH gets answers before he has to leave for his doctor's appointment.

[Polliwog]

That may not be legal if you are a regular employee instead of a temp.

[Mama~Love]

Originally Posted by Polliwog

That may not be legal if you are a regular employee instead of a temp.

I know - that's where the problem is. I won't be taking the job if I can't do the piecework at home. I wish we would've known that before I applied.

[VisionaryMom]

Originally Posted by Mama~Love

This is such BS, I'm so mad right now I could really kick someone's butt. After DH & I both getting a 15% paycut, for a total of 30% between us, now they are taking this away from us.

I say this only because it may put things in perspective, but your math isn't correct. If you both got 15% pay cuts, that's still just 15%. It doesn't add up to something higher. That may make you feel a little bit better about the situation.

Here's an example:
Person 1 - $2,000 a month; 15% cut is $300
Person 2 - $3,000 a month; 15% cut is $450

Total - $5,000 a month; cut equals $750, or 15%
30% cut would be $1500 a month

[Ola_]

Would your pay as a full-time employee be the same as what you're getting right now as a temp? If so, then it seems like staying a temp would be better since you can do the piecework at the same time.

On the other hand, becoming a full-time employee may provide you with some security maybe?

[Ellien C]

Originally Posted by Mama~Love

I know - that's where the problem is. I won't be taking the job if I can't do the piecework at home. I wish we would've known that before I applied.

Can you negotiate a higher salary or a "signing" bonus for yourself? since you are already working there, you will be proficient much sooner than a new employee. And if you don't take the job they'll have to go through the posting, interviewing and hiring process again, which will eat up time and resources. It's actually cheaper for them to hire you at a higher rate than go through the process to find someone else. Always keep that in mind!

[Mama~Love]

Originally Posted by Ola_

Would your pay as a full-time employee be the same as what you're getting right now as a temp? If so, then it seems like staying a temp would be better since you can do the piecework at the same time.

On the other hand, becoming a full-time employee may provide you with some security maybe?

Th pay rate is the same; the FT position would include vacation days & paid holidays, which would be nice to have.

I still don't know what's going on. I'm still confused on the whole thing. It seems like such a mess right now.

[Mama~Love]

Well, DH gave me more details today. I guess the big wigs were talking to corporate, and they said I shouldn't have been doing piecework even as a temp, so either way I will no longer doing piecework after I finish the order I'm on now (which is a few weeks or so). I guess it's better this way a lot less hassle for us since the piecework took up a lot of spare time. I'll just have to work overtime to help make up for it.

So, I'll be taking the fulltime position. I'll get vacation time & paid holidays right away, since I was a FT employee there before. I'll start as FT on Monday.

[Polliwog]

That doesn't surprise me although I do feel badly for you. I hope that you'll be able to get some overtime to help out.

[texmati]

oh no! I'm sorry that the piece work is gone. hopefully the full time hours and flexibility is worth it.

What do you make?

[Mama~Love]

Originally Posted by texmati

oh no! I'm sorry that the piece work is gone. hopefully the full time hours and flexibility is worth it.

What do you make?

I make a whopping $8.58/hr. My rate is $8.08 + 50¢ shift differential for working 2nd shift. I was making $10/hr before the pay cut.

[texmati]

Originally Posted by Mama~Love

I make a whopping $8.58/hr. My rate is $8.08 + 50¢ shift differential for working 2nd shift. I was making $10/hr before the pay cut.

i'm sorry-- I didn't mean to ask about your salary; I meant, what do you peice work (I thought it might sewing or welding...)

It really sucks to go down from 10 to 8.50. it feels like such a big jump. I know you've worked there a long time, but do you think that there are other places you might find similar work? It doesn't sound like you are super happy there anymore.

[Mama~Love]

Originally Posted by texmati

i'm sorry-- I didn't mean to ask about your salary; I meant, what do you peice work (I thought it might sewing or welding...)

It really sucks to go down from 10 to 8.50. it feels like such a big jump. I know you've worked there a long time, but do you think that there are other places you might find similar work? It doesn't sound like you are super happy there anymore.

Sorry I misunderstood . I was putting together wire cable assemblies for automotive horn switches. It's hard to explain, so here's a picture of one of them.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...1062700319.jpg

I'd insert the red wire into the black housing & snap it shut. The ones I'm doing now have 2 white wires per each housing, but basically the same thing.

This is the only place within 50 miles that I'm qualified for. The rest is is gas stations & cafés (which pay less than what I make now), and the health care center, but I'm not qualified for any jobs there. So, my options are very limited, and it works out OK with the kids not needing daycare.

[pauletoy]

Mamalove, Sorry you are having such a rough time. Lots of things have been going on in your life (I remember some of your other posts.) I really pray that things will improve for you soon.