I debated on posting this over the last 3 days, decided why not, so here I am. I don't normally post here, or anywhere really, more of a lurker. Thought I'd get some feedback, express my frustrations.
I've worked a lot of jobs, and before taking what I thought was my dream job, I was a local, home daily CDL driver and I could have cleared an easy 70+K this year, that's important for later.
This will be a long one, so TL:DR is, lost 30+K a year in pay, ended up working more hours somehow, worked 12 straight days once and starting have issues at home.
Keep in mind this is a small family-owned business. I went to school with the CEO and the director of chain accounts. I have good relationships with everyone.
I learned to use excel on the job, my work went from looking like I colored it with crayons to professional work with charts, graphs and tables. I spend my own time at the house watching YouTube videos on how this all works. I want this to be my last job. I am pouring everything I have into this job. I promise my wife I'll retire from this company. Its what I always (thought) I wanted, a steady day shift job with good pay in an office.
It all started when I had a particularly bad day trucking, and I should have listened to my dad and wife who tried to talk me out of switching jobs. The stars just happened to align, and a previous employer called me on a Saturday evening. I should have taken that for the warning sign it was.
Saturday work was volunteer only at the trucking place, strictly M-F and going back and looking most days were only 12 hours a day, a few 14's.
The company I was driving for was really understanding, the benefits suck, the pay for the work and my area are great. I told them I would like the day off Monday, they agreed, and I went to old employer for an interview.
Went through the interview, told them how much I wanted to make, everything went well, put in a short notice at the trucking job, I thought this was going to be the place I retired from. They offered me a generous benefits package and decent, salary pay. Pay was less than what I asked for 62K Vs 52K, I was told after 90 days id get a good raise.
Immediately it went sideways. I was told I would be 9am-5pm, with an hour lunch, I was free to come and go as I wanted during that 9 to 5 as long as I put in 7 hours a day, or 35 hours a week I would get paid for 40 hours.
Week 1
First week, they ask me to refresh on my prior position in case I need to cover that job, ok no problem. Now I am 2pm-10:30pm. I spent 2 years in that position previously.
Week 2-4.
Second week they ask me to train a new hire on that job so they can transition me into my role and the current guy working that job can transition to his new role. Ok, fine. Weeks 3, and 4 roll by and I got this guy trained, I am telling them he isn't the guy for the job, they proceed anyway.
I get one week as 8am-5pm week 5, guy I trained lays down and now I got to change my schedule to 10am-7pm during week 6, to support him in the evening. End up being 9am to 9pm. I am still learning my role and making presentations and working on multiple projects.
Week 6.
Have to start canceling things, insurance here is very expensive, taxes for two weeks are killing me, the wife and I cut about $150 in non-necessary monthly expenses. I went from bringing home $900-1200 a week to bringing home $1300 every two weeks. We get a debt consolidation loan from my credit union and save $400 a month, starting to regret my decision.
My personal life is getting ruined. I don't want to do anything. I stop gaming, my wife doesn't work and now we stop going out, money is getting tight again. I start to become irritable.
My department head has vacation. I work 6am to 8pm this week to cover the absence, work 70 hours get paid for 40 hours.
Department head comes back week 7, I schedule a meeting with him and let him know I am frustrated, and I worked extra hours for no pay. He says the same thing he has been saying to me the entire time since I came back. It's going to get better, I want you on my team, you're doing a great job.
My previous employer calls and wants me back.
I push several projects through during week 5 to 7, I am very proud of one, all of them are my best work, CEO, CFO and my department head are impressed, best presentations they have ever seen. I get three new job postings opened; one is making the company $500 a day starting week 6, it's an LTL route I created.
I moved employees around from working double shifts and save enough to open the second position and the third positions wages are covered by the efficiency and fuel savings I implement.
Week 7-10 my schedule is 11am to 7, I work 10am-8pm because I'm so busy. I got a lot more work done this week while also supporting the guy I trained, constantly reminding my department head if they don't do something he will quit. I worked with the routing guy this week as well.
During these weeks I end up in a truck on five different occasions. No extra pay.
Week 11-12, my schedule changes officially and in reality, to 9am-6pm and I move upstairs to my very own cube, how exciting. At least it's quiet. I get a colossal amount of work done. Keep in mind, this entire time I've been too busy to take lunch most days or even a break. I express my concerns and frustrations to my department head and it's the same thing every time. It's going to get better, I want you on my team, Ill get you a raise.
Week 12-13.
I work Monday to Saturday week 12, called in to work on Sunday and then Monday to Friday week 13. No extra pay.
Week 13, I have a review. My raise is 3K and a week's vacation. I make a presentation on the job positions I opened in weeks 5 to 7. I review the revenue and expenses for the LTL route, its been consistently generating a profit of $500-750 a day since week 6. I've already created 17+K in profits for the company with this job. My raise was 3K for a year.
The other two jobs are making money as well, not as much, but its somewhere around $200 a day between them both. 7K in savings due to my changes. My raise was 3K.
Week 14.
Department head on vacation again, I work 4am to 6pm this week. I work with the sales team to open a new run 2 days a week.
Guy, I trained puts in two week's notice.
Previous employer calls again.
No plans for hiring anyone to replace the guy I trained. My schedule shifts back to 11am to 7pm
Week 15.
Everyone everywhere knows I am upset. I am normally an upbeat hard-working guy. My wife says I am distant, grouchy and snap over the most minor things. Asks me if I still love her, why don't we eat out more or do anything together anymore. I don't remember the last time we had adult fun time. I am either too tired, out too late or too aggravated.
I lay out the holiday schedule, for the entire holiday season. Never been done before in the history of the company. The CEO, my department head and the chain account managers are impressed. My raise was 3k.
The two new routes are a smashing success, company brings on 10 new customers, estimated revenue of around 140K. My raise was 3K.
I meet with my department head, the CEO, CFO and owner of the company. I express my frustrations with the hours I am working, how small my raise was and other issues.
Same old story. It's going to get better, we want you here, just hang in there.
Week 16.
Last week for the guy I trained. My schedule shifts again, 2pm-1030, reality is 11am to 1030.
Week 17.
I express my frustration to my department heads manager. Same old story. I spend this week doing two jobs.
Week 18.
I quit. No notice. Call previous employer, start next week.
Company begs me not to. Offers me 70K a year and another week of vacation. Too late.