my job troubles

[Boost]

Hi. I am new here. I just posted a brief introduction so I don't barge in here and start ranting about my problems right away. In this thread I hope to receive advice and encouragement regarding my employment. I have lots of emotional problems due to events in my life and I am aware and seeking God's healing. However, it is pretty clear that my work situation is less than ideal. I caused and deserve it but I know that the Lord wants the best for me and I simply have to act and walk through the doors He may have waiting for me. In a nutshell:

I came to this country as a small child, from poverty, legally and with the means to support myself. I have never used any form of government aid or benefit. I haven't commited any significant crimes. After countless years of struggling in the slums and being denied educational and work opportunities due to politics, I managed to legally pay for and excel at my schooling to become a mechanic. Being content to work hard and earn a mediocre salary doing what I enjoy, I became a victim of the crashing economy and the corrupt auto industry. I have never been fired from a job but I willingly left a big dealership to work at a small place with job security and consistant pay. That's how I ended up at my current job. All of this sounds like a huge whining complaining sob story, and unfortunately that's part of my personality but it's ALL TOTALLY TRUE.

At my current job I am underpaid, overworked, abused, stressed and taken advantage of. It does however provide a steady income close to my home and I am an important person there and have some freedoms. It also provides me with the challenge to force myself to accept and tolerate for Christ. However all my co-workers are nasty and not beleivers. And most importantly, I am unhappy and it's a disappointing stop on my carreer path at this point in time.

I am on the verge of writing a carefully worded and edited, but very inclusive and honest letter asking for a raise and describing my hardships. This will most likely get a negative response, and I then plan on looking for another job which is a risk in this economy and circumstance. My question is whether this is the right thing to do, or should I:

a) stay and swallow
b) just leave quietly (once I find a different place)

Thanks and I appreciate any suggestions. God bless!

 

[Macx]

Working in your field, you will find that most of the co-workers you'll come across in most of the places you could work will be the same as what you are dealing with now. Think back through the guys that were around you in (trade) school & where you have worked since.

Often times, the few men who are nominal Christians in that environment will act just like their non-Christian co-workers. It takes courage to stand up for Christ. Should you stay or should you go? I can't answer that, but whichever you choose, stand up and stand up where you are for Christ.

 

[plmarquette]

can you fill out a few applications elsewhere....
take a few courses to improve your job qualifications evenings/weekends

have you sat down and talked with your foreman/supervisor...

can you return to your previous job....

action, some times, solves the problem, make a step, in faith, and wisdom...

 

[Orange_County_Chopper]

Just stay quietly while looking for a new gig on your own time. Just stay out of trouble and out of the radar until that opportune time to resign to tell them you're moving on.

 

[ChildOfGod97]

I am on the verge of writing a carefully worded and edited, but very inclusive and honest letter asking for a raise and describing my hardships. This will most likely get a negative response, and I then plan on looking for another job which is a risk in this economy and circumstance. My question is whether this is the right thing to do, or should I:

a) stay and swallow
b) just leave quietly (once I find a different place)

Thanks and I appreciate any suggestions. God bless!

I would wait awhile before doing this.

The reason being is the big problem I see here is not: 'what is out there', but what is in your heart.

You see a ton of people having grievously wronged you and your are keeping their debt owed to you. Maybe they do, maybe they don't. Point is you have to let go of all of that.

'Love your enemies'.

God's place is vengeance, not ours.

Have you ever had anyone judge you wrongly because you are different? They don't have all the facts, right? What should they have done, instead? Suspend judgment. Maybe you aren't like them, so they draw the wrong conclusions. Maybe their conclusions are based on having met someone like you before and they did them wrong. Maybe it is another reason.

We are not followers of Christ because we go to church on Sundays or because we dress a certain way or say "Praise Jesus". We are Christians because we keep his teachings and try to live as He did.

Forgiving means giving it up to God. Let God look at the facts and judge. Invariably, this will often means your perception was wrong and no one owes you anything. Sometimes, or maybe even often, not. But God is very capable of judging that. Our job is to turn the other cheek and forgive.

Forgiving does not mean saying, "That is okay, your sin is okay to do". It means, "I am giving this to God and forgetting about it. If bad, God will correct them because I am doing exactly this, what He says to do."

That requires trust. It also involves how we judge others in our heart.

The good news, really great news is you will have lifted a gigantic load from your heart. You are carrying a titantic weight right now. It all needs to go.

'The way is easy and light'. We don't have to worry about judgment. We don't have to sit around and go over our papers of debt for everyone else and try and figure out how to collect on them. God does that for us -- but only when we trust Him to. If you must rely on your own hand, you say to God, "I can't allow you to handle this". And He won't.

It is a ton of very unpleasant matters to keep. It is painful. It makes life very hard.

The good news is also, if you do this, God will guide your career and make everything you do successful. Again, these are details you have been very much worrying over when it is all in God's hands.

Again, trust.

 

[Judas 2070]

You should DEMAND in the name of GOD that they beg forgiveness from JESUS. And if they do not use should KNEEL and pray. PRAY FOR THEM. PRAY THAT THE LIGHT OF OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN SHINE UPON THEM.

 

[jsimms615]

Hi. I am new here. I just posted a brief introduction so I don't barge in here and start ranting about my problems right away. In this thread I hope to receive advice and encouragement regarding my employment. I have lots of emotional problems due to events in my life and I am aware and seeking God's healing. However, it is pretty clear that my work situation is less than ideal. I caused and deserve it but I know that the Lord wants the best for me and I simply have to act and walk through the doors He may have waiting for me. In a nutshell:

I came to this country as a small child, from poverty, legally and with the means to support myself. I have never used any form of government aid or benefit. I haven't commited any significant crimes. After countless years of struggling in the slums and being denied educational and work opportunities due to politics, I managed to legally pay for and excel at my schooling to become a mechanic. Being content to work hard and earn a mediocre salary doing what I enjoy, I became a victim of the crashing economy and the corrupt auto industry. I have never been fired from a job but I willingly left a big dealership to work at a small place with job security and consistant pay. That's how I ended up at my current job. All of this sounds like a huge whining complaining sob story, and unfortunately that's part of my personality but it's ALL TOTALLY TRUE.

At my current job I am underpaid, overworked, abused, stressed and taken advantage of. It does however provide a steady income close to my home and I am an important person there and have some freedoms. It also provides me with the challenge to force myself to accept and tolerate for Christ. However all my co-workers are nasty and not beleivers. And most importantly, I am unhappy and it's a disappointing stop on my carreer path at this point in time.

I am on the verge of writing a carefully worded and edited, but very inclusive and honest letter asking for a raise and describing my hardships. This will most likely get a negative response, and I then plan on looking for another job which is a risk in this economy and circumstance. My question is whether this is the right thing to do, or should I:

a) stay and swallow
b) just leave quietly (once I find a different place)

Thanks and I appreciate any suggestions. God bless!

I don't know that your ever going to find an ideal job, but you did point out that this one does have some positives. I don't think I would write a letter asking for a raise. I think I would rather go in and talk to my employer about the possibility face to face. That way, there is nothing in writing that they could stick in your file. Maybe I'm being paranoid. I think that by speaking face to face about it you can clear up any misunderstanding immediately and make your case plain.
There is no harm in looking around for a better job in the meantime. Maybe there is something better and maybe not, but at least you won't wonder. Don't leave one job until you find another though.

 

[miss-a]

If you do decide to seek other employment I agree that it would be best that you keep your current job while jobhunting for a different one. A working job applicant is usually more desirable to a potential employer than an unemployed one.

As for your current situation, I have recently found that I cannot just get up and go to work, anymore. Even though I pray in the car and listen to Bible teaching on the way to work, that is not enough. I now know that I need to walk into work ready for the spiritual battle, conciously prepared and knowing that it is not an "if" but rather that satan will use that workplace and that day to try to get under my skin and defeat me in some way. It happened twice last week and I only worked twice last week. So I need to pray on the full armor of God (Charles Stanley suggests we do this daily, and I haven't been recently, but will from now on) from Ephesians 6:10-18 every morning before I enter my work place and then be ready, sober and vigilant, wise as a serpant, yet harmless as a dove. So I'm not seeking a fight or looking to take offense, but I know that, as Jesus told us, offenses will come. This way I will be ready in my Spirit rather than feeling blind-sided and sucker-punched like I did this last week. And if I am filled with the Spirit and concious of His presense, then I can trust He will lead me through whatever crazy or mean-spirited insanity they throw at me.

Hope that helps. I will pray for you, A

 

[Boost]

Thank you very much for all the insights, you all made some great points and I considered a little deeper. I realize that no one owes me anything and I appreciate what I have. Therefor, any kind of vengeance or complaining is not an option. However, it is very clear that regardless of my behavior this place is a filth-hole, a place of dishonesty and nasty mouths. I have to support my family and behave like a Christian, but I do not have to work with these atheist people. So I will pray and give thanks and instead of any letter just look for a better job. If the Lord wants me to leave it will be out there. Thanks to all again.

 

[Aibrean]

If you have the money saved to leave, then leave. Otherwise, look for a better job while you have a job.

I've had jobs where I've been cheated out of over $12,000 and the employer didn't pay me at all for a month of work, I've had to sue an employer for not paying ($3000), the employer wanted me to use a stock photo as a logo (illegal) and forced me to leave when I refused (I could probably have sued for whistle blowing). Those are three separate jobs. Trust me when I say that as soon as you can possibly get out, the better you will be.

 

[Macx]

Have you considered openning your own shop?

I know a guy who is a Christian, his parents went to the same church my parents did when I was a little kid. He grew up and worked in different shops until he could open his own. He doesn't advertise beyond having his sign up on the building. He gets as much business as he can take, because he runs he shop with Christian values and people know they will be treated honestly when they take their cars there. He literally never has any less business than he can manage & tells people up front how much backlog he has got & honestly estimates how long til he can get to a customer's car & if they aren't cool with the wait they can take their car elsewhere & he'll give them solid advice on which other shop to go to. I think there is a real place in the market for Christian mechanics. People are so used to places like what you are describing, when they get a chance to deal with a Christian mech, they tell all their friends. It is huge the difference & a great way to witness to others for Christ . .. when peopel ask what makes you so different, you can tell them.

 

[Boost]

Great advice again (both). I know I have to leave ASAP but do not have money saved up so I need to be patient. Also, I have considered opening my own business. I have seen throughout the years that auto businesses compensate for their incompetent techs and managers by ripping everyone from the top down, at the bottom of which is the mechanic and the customer. I am a pretty good technician and have great passion for cars. I WILL someday have my own shop and run it completely different. I know that God will bless it if He is pleased with it. I am very uncertain if the time is right, I am in the middle of a LOT of big things. The way scum runs these businesses is what gives the industry a bad name, in turn making it extremely difficult for the average tech to make an honest living. In all truthfulness most of you would be shocked to find out just how uneducated and immoral many many managers, owners and mechanics are. Their mentality and policy is forced on all of us and the entire industry.

 

[bliz]

Ask for the raise. But raises are based on merit, not on need. Recounting your hardships and struggles might get you sympathy, but it won't get you more money. Explaining why you are such a good mechanic and why it benefits the company to keep you in their employ might. If the answer is no, start quietly looking elsewhere.

 

[Aibrean]

I don't think a raise is going to fix the situation. It's not going to make the environment any less hostile.

 

[Boost]

The truth is they are always claiming that we are going out of business soon. We are losing thousands of dollars every month but it's truly due to very very poor management. I do a decent job. What I don't like is that I've had to reduce how hard I work because they simply refuse to pay me more or give me any benefits. So I now work like the other moron that makes almost as much as me and does / knows almost nothing. I am giving them what they are paying for, but I don't feel good about it. However, I have learned that this is the most effective and practical thing I can do to survive, and preserve my body and mind for the future.

Before you say anything, I know that I am working for the Lord and He rewards and judges accordingly. I know that anything worth doing is worth doing right, and we must work hard and honestly despite any circumstances. Please, please consider this:

When I started I was super excited and professional, took a $2/hour pay cut from my last job because they said after 3 months I would get a raise if I work out. I worked extremely hard and went above and beyond my duty the first several months. The raise never came and 18 months later I am still at my starting rate. In addition to that, the manager that hired me was a major cocaine addict, and stole my entire first paycheck in addition to several personal items. I was never compensated for any of this and even accused along with the other mechanic of stealing supplies which he was taking. He routinely called me names like cockroach and nazi when I would get a short haircut in the 90 degree summer heat in a non air conditioned shop. He would throw food at me and yell at me and bang on the door while I was in the restroom. When they fired him I had to perform all the duties of a manager for several months without any extra pay without any compensation, in addition to continuing running the shop as a master tech and cleaning the floors and bathrooms as a custodian. Then they hired another manager and fired the other mechanic because things were slow and they needed to save money. At this point I had to run a 5 lift full service shop alone for a long time without any compensation. They advertise and push and push and take away money from me whenever they can and made me work through my lunch and late after closing, without any extra pay. They constantly manipulated my hours to avoid paying me any extra time or overtime. Overworked and underpaid to the extreme. In the process, many of my expensive personal tools got broken and not replaced due to use and abuse by unqualified and untrained people that don't have their own tools. This is all ok with me. But: I have suffered countless physical and psychological injuries, including joint and back problems, scars (one on my face that really shouldn't have happened), severe immune and emotional problems due to stress, all clearly and directly from being pressured to work in a very unprofessional and inefficient unsafe way to compensate for stupidity and greed. I want to sweat, work hard and suffer for a long time in the future to support my family, and I am collecting too much damage here too fast without getting ahead in my faith or financially. I simply don't feel the Lord is telling me to work extra hard for these people. In addition I constantly have to listen to ghetto mentality, anti American and racist talk, as well as unnecessary yelling and noise. What do you guys think? I know you will say get out but at the moment I am making decent money here and I need to support my family, also they may close down soon anyway. I know, I'm making this too hard for myself aren't I? What to do (stand firm and wait?)

Important to note, I am still carrying the place on my shoulders, perform 75% of the work, and am the entire professional image of the business, even with my disappointed negative attitude. I just don't reflect my faith well

 

[KnowWhatJesusDid]

This may be a time that he wants you to be humbled and entrenched into his WORD. Throw some of us in a Dungeon and we are yelling for our Lawyers, throw others in a Dungeon and they write the most inpirational works of all time. How will you respond?

 

[tsuanthony]

remember, what your going through are just obstacles, obstacles of faith, that God has put in your road

just keep praying, talk to God and discuss with him these matters, with God he can help you move mountains and lead you into Glory

God has your whole life planned our for you :o
and right now, it might seem a bit glum, but do realize that, God is working behind the scenes in your life, he knows what your going through, and he's going to turn the table's for you soon

just keep the faith

 

[Boost]

Thank you so much for being patient with me. I AM DONE COMPLAINING. The Lord is putting food on my table and giving me an opportunity to grow in my faith. He has warned us about these circumstances and I need to react differently no matter how hard it is. Only then can I grow closer to Him. Just this morning they screwed me again when I was trying to help my sister who is in need. I am sorry that I vented so much and I appreciate the fellowship and advice.

 

[bluegreysky]

Hi. I am new here. I just posted a brief introduction so I don't barge in here and start ranting about my problems right away. In this thread I hope to receive advice and encouragement regarding my employment. I have lots of emotional problems due to events in my life and I am aware and seeking God's healing. However, it is pretty clear that my work situation is less than ideal. I caused and deserve it but I know that the Lord wants the best for me and I simply have to act and walk through the doors He may have waiting for me. In a nutshell:

I came to this country as a small child, from poverty, legally and with the means to support myself. I have never used any form of government aid or benefit. I haven't commited any significant crimes. After countless years of struggling in the slums and being denied educational and work opportunities due to politics, I managed to legally pay for and excel at my schooling to become a mechanic. Being content to work hard and earn a mediocre salary doing what I enjoy, I became a victim of the crashing economy and the corrupt auto industry. I have never been fired from a job but I willingly left a big dealership to work at a small place with job security and consistant pay. That's how I ended up at my current job. All of this sounds like a huge whining complaining sob story, and unfortunately that's part of my personality but it's ALL TOTALLY TRUE.

At my current job I am underpaid, overworked, abused, stressed and taken advantage of. It does however provide a steady income close to my home and I am an important person there and have some freedoms. It also provides me with the challenge to force myself to accept and tolerate for Christ. However all my co-workers are nasty and not beleivers. And most importantly, I am unhappy and it's a disappointing stop on my carreer path at this point in time.

I am on the verge of writing a carefully worded and edited, but very inclusive and honest letter asking for a raise and describing my hardships. This will most likely get a negative response, and I then plan on looking for another job which is a risk in this economy and circumstance. My question is whether this is the right thing to do, or should I:

a) stay and swallow
b) just leave quietly (once I find a different place)

Thanks and I appreciate any suggestions. God bless!

Okay, I know this is not what you probably want to hear,
but this older couple at my church is always telling me this:
"just be thankful you have a job".
I have 2- and together they still don't pay the bills. Because they're in retail, and its slow.
But at least I have money for 1/2 the bills.
That's a start.
So be glad for the highlights of the job and the fact you do have it and it will probably look good on a resume.
Now, about the abuse?
you don't have to take that.
try talking to them, and if they won't budge,
quietly look for a new job,
and then put in your notice.
Then be glad you had that job as long as you did and it got you this far.

 

[MLEN]

It may be wiser to stay at this job while searching for another one until such time that God opens up a different job for you. I'm sorry that you have to be in such a negative atmosphere at your current job, but for the moment you are earning in an economy where many have lost jobs.

Be sure to fortify yourself each morning and evening in prayer time and in the Word of God. If you get a break in the middle of the day, take some time to pray and read a few scriptures then as well. Doing such will have a staying power that will make you rise above many of the situations occurring at your job right now.

Also, I didn't read enough posts to hear if you support a family or not, but perhaps you might even consider finding a job overseas or in another state? Therefore, you may want to expand your job search in that way.

God Bless.