I've been working at my local village convenience store (England) for almost two years now. When I first started, I was paid cash in hand for a few hours work each week, which was fine with me.
As time passed I took on more responsibility and more hours, to the point where I would run the shop entirely by myself on Sundays. I really liked my boss and I would come in sometimes over an hour early and work unpaid, just because I was bored before my shift started and I wanted the store to look nice for the customers. I treated the shop as if it were my own and I took pride in my work. I would even stay up to 30 minutes after my shift had finished, unpaid, to help put stock away from our deliveries. I wanted to work hard to progress further within the business.
Fast forward to this week, I asked finally be put on the company books. I wanted to earn holiday pay, sick pay and be an official employee. I was told no.
He said he could not make me an official employee and give me the benefits I was legally entitled to, it would work out too much money for him to take me on as an offical employee, as he just needed someone to fill the shelves and that he could just hire a 16-17 year old to do the same job for less money. He would rather just pay me cash in hand each week and use the money he pays me as a tax write off.
bearing in mind throughout the whole time I have worked there, he bragged how nice all of his custom-made entertainment system was and how nice his solid marble dining room table was. Money was not an issue for him.
Today, I completely gave up. I didn't bother to rotate any stock on the shelves before filling them up, I didn't arrive a minute early or leave a minute late. I worked as slow as possible, doing the bare minimum. I lost all interest in my work. I felt un-important and that my job was not worthy of an offical status.
I would normally put 110% of my energy into this job but now I couldn't care less. I no longer have the same pride or enjoyment. I feel like quiting.