I (26M) have been working with my welding company for 7 years. I oversee a specific production area where they refuse to hire a counter part for me (I oversee two shifts). Our company experiences high turnover which leads to headaches. They’ve put all the responsibility on me, so much so that my production area doesn’t even run there without me. They literally shut down part of the plant if I’m ever gone.. All things run through me and they work me to death 60hours a week/6 Days a week. I’ve been in this current predicament for about 3 years, and as any sane person would, I’ve grown tired of it.
I don’t want to completely cut my losses and lose my benefits and PTO accruals, so I applied for similar job within the company at a different site. Similar work with less responsibility and less hours. My boss was quiet pissed that I decided on a career change. Two weeks have passed and HR finally called me in today to discuss my application. They said that they’d dock my pay close to $9/$10 if I want to make the move over there. I was taken back by the offer as the last two people who transferred, who make similar money as I do, didn’t have to take a cut. I didn’t even as much receive an interview or even a call from the other plant to discuss anything. Just a low low offer that would make me paid less than the people that they’re forced to hire off the street with no experience. My boss then came out and talked to me after and said I’m irreplaceable and he would hate to see all of my experience wasted at this other job. I know damn well that he’s blocking me for making the transition.
I applied for this same exact job two years ago. The first thing I did was go to HR and request that my position here not hinder my application. They assured me that it would and that my direct boss will not be involved with the hiring process. The very next day my boss calls me in for a meeting to discuss everything that I had divulged to HR. So much for confidentiality. During my interview 2 years ago, pay was discussed and they told me that my pay would not be docked. This time around they are offering me less than 2 years ago. They ended up going with a different applicant and that was the end of it.
So essentially I can’t even go to HR and my direct supervisor is the head of the plan. The only boss above him is the CEO. I would take them to court if I had any paper evidence, but currently it’s just hearsay. Currently I am applying elsewhere and am willing to cut my loses at this point. Unfortunately we aren’t a part of any unions. Once I have a backup job in place I plan on taking this all the way up to the CEO and trying to resolve issues there. I have some dirt on my direct supervisor and I’m willing to let the cat out of the bag during these meetings as well.
Just another example of companies working their good employees to the point of no return and shooting themselves in the foot.