Huge post here- but I got some shit i neeeeed to let off my chest before i go recklessly quitting. I've been working at this repair shop for 2 years now and honestly I'm extremely disappointed and upset at the outcome. This is literally the career I want, the field i like, so there is a benefit to the job being i am very passionate about what I'm doing, if that makes sense. I was hired as an apprentice, but its completely unofficial. There has been no plan, or education beyond the first few months of the job. I'm weighing up whether I should just get the hell out of there, as I'm starting to feel used. My pay rate is $22p/h, with no benefits. I invoice them for my work, and have to claim my earnings and pay tax at the end of the financial year.
Flag 1- I was hired as an apprentice, but where has the education been? Where is the plan? Not once has there really ever been a discussion on the year, what's in plan, what to learn, and where I could expect to find myself in a career. I have been here for two years now and there has been 0 progression beyond the first few months. There has definitely been absolutely no mention of a pay increase.
Flag 2- I am referred to as the “offsider” to other customers that come in the shop. ETC “ill probably give that job over to my offsider”
Flag 3 – Any mistake i have made at work is highly scrutinised. Etc remarks will be made such as “we pay you to process these items so we expect them done properly”. However I believe that I may not be making such mistakes if I was ever taught anything at work. Its also pretty much impossible to avoid these mistakes as a human being! Im talking about a plastic button being slightly pushed in (1min fix) or maybe a missing screw in a case (again, 1min fix?) They really aren't detrimental mistakes. And besides, Isn't that why I'm on a lower rate of pay?
Flag 4 – i had to get another job elsewhere because I was not earning enough money to pay my rent/bills/etc. I was financially drowning trying to keep positive on the “im in a apprenticeship! Im gonna earn more money soon!” But it never came. The attitude towards me completely shifted when I had to spend more time away from this workplace, often no one would speak to me through the entire day unless I had done something wrong. I am quite introverted and it doesn't always bother me.. but the whole team is 4 people! So it does feel very off.
Flag 5 – there is only two employees for the business, including me. The other two are the owners. For the birthday of the other employee, we made a big old fuss! Went out for dinner and drinks, cake at work, you know the whole kit and caboodle. You know what happened on my birthday? Not even a text. Christmas has just rolled by and the other employee had mentioned to me about the Christmas party. Did that get mentioned to me either? No. Was i invited? No. The owners recently went on holidays (a very common occurrence) and had a work meeting with us two before they left. They mentioned that “thirsty Thursday can't happen while we are away” – I guess they forgot that they have literally never once included me in the post work drinks ritual. No wonder my shift always ended weirdly early and abruptly on a Thursday- if I was even there to begin with.
Flag 6 – they have told me the days they need me there are for the posting days. I don't mind labour work – but I am here for an APPRENTICESHIP. Not to pack boxes only. Im not saying I don't want to do the shitty jobs, of course I have to. But they are saying they only need me here for that and nothing more. I cannot develop my own career by packing boxes. And I have a labouring job that pays me $8 more an hour. Why should I keep 2 days here?
Flag 7 – recently there has been a massive air of distrust. they watch everything i do as if they really WANT to catch me doing something wrong. It totally makes me anxious and often makes me mess up. I have felt so off there – so I kinda put it to the test. I had found a whole bunch of stock in the dumpster that they had thrown out. It was 50% ruined but I went through it anyway and sold what I could – in which they took huge offence to. I had a feeling they were keeping tabs on what i was selling in my offtime.. and they had found my eBay page within 10 hours. Catching the distrust here?
They claim to have “started this shop for me” when I had been doing this long before I was hired by them. They supply me with junk, literally junk, to sell off with a 40% commission to me. That doesn't pay me well obviously, and I feel like I'm doing more of a service to them by ridding them of the time, money and effort it takes to sort through and sell, junk!
“We started this by supplying you large amounts of stock, a facility, and support, at no cost or outlay to yourself.” – the stock, junk. -the facility, literally where i work and my own home. – the support? A joke. And at no cost? Well its a whole extra day i have to spend sorting through shit and not getting paid a normal wage elsewhere. There is a cost.
Basically I feel like I'm either getting way too far in my head about this stuff, or I'm very right and I definitely need to go. I can see myself able to run my own business in the future, and due to the lack of education I don't see this job really benefiting my future. There hasn't been any financial gain from the start.
Lay it on me if im being a giant dickhead, but likewise if im not, do I get the hell outta there??