Hi guys, been reading through the sub on and off during work for a while, and felt like I should post. I'm trying to figure out if I should find somewhere else to work.
For context, I work at an IT MSP(we do IT support and solutions for companies across our part of England). We currently have instant remote access to just over 1000 machines, that includes user machines and servers, and support 50-60 companies roughly. We currently have 4 active support staff(some are apprentices), and one of our bosses which is often in to help and manage. The main boss is often MIA and will turn up randomly.
We receive anywhere from 10-50 support calls a day(phone calls, tickets, emails, etc..), it's completely unpredictable. And even if it's a slow day with only 10 support calls, we can still be overwhelmed because of the difficulty of the ticket, or even difficulty of dealing with a certain person.
I will start off by saying I do somewhat enjoy my job, but the constant stress due to lack of employees racks up over time. And I already know that the reason the company fails to hire people, is because they don't offer a high enough wage with next to no benefits. Especially since they are looking for fully qualified helpdesk and possibly second line staff…
I've been working at this company since 2018(just after I turned 18), I started as an apprentice for bare minimum wage. Once I finished the apprenticeship after 2.5~ years they kept me on, with minimum wage. They kept me at that wage for 6-8 months before upping it by 1.5k per year, which isn't actually that much.
Only a couple of months ago, they started paying me what I would consider an entry level wage for this job(£22.5k/year) and I've been here for 3 and a half years. I feel like I am under valued at this company, especially considering the fact that I drive a work van and have racked up close to 10-15k miles in travel for this company(a lot was a personal vehicle).
Something that really showed me that they undervalue me and have gone down hill is in December of 2019 I got a bonus ontop of my paycheck for £150(as an apprentice! That was like 20% of my wage), the following year I got a £200 bonus(still an apprentice!). It was coming up to Christmas last year, I'm finally not an apprentice, the company was doing well and we got our Christmas payslip, no bonus. Main boss that is always MIA rocks up the day after and gives everyone £100 in Amazon gift cards.
I know I might be shi*ty for this but I legit almost cried, I had been working my ass off since I finished my apprenticeship trying to show my worth, constantly getting compliments from my bosses and going far above my job role to do stuff that I 100% didn't need to do. Just so everything was easier for everyone in the long run, and they've gone backwards, it's literally like they have just spat in my face…
I've honestly started to give up with this company and idk what to do, I'm afraid to leave because it's my first job, but I want to get paid what I'm worth.
The post is all over the place, somewhat because writing it pulled out some of my anger that I've built up over time from working here.