So DS#1 is unhappy with his job

[flex]

He makes a good hourly wage, but has no health insurance/bennies. He's a hard worker--maybe too hard of a worker. Does much more than he's required to do, which is good, but if he expects to be rewarded financially by his boss, I've told him that his expectations are too high. His boss doesn't have to reward him, and he'll more than likely take advantage.

Anyway, DS has thought about applying at Lowe's because of the wages, benefits, better working environment, etc., and somehow his boss got wind of this (probably because DS talked about it too much at work). His boss told the Lowe's manager that if DS is hired there, the boss will take his business to Home Depot or to a local store. So DS hasn't applied at Lowe's, and apparently he's so distraught over this he's not looking for a job elsewhere.

I was appalled by two things: 1) That an employer could actually do that; and 2) that my son seems to think he has no other option than to stay where he's at and be miserable.

WDYT?

[pantsparty]

I think your son needs to learn the art of office politics. Work hard, but not too hard if you don't see opportunity for promotion or advancement.

His boss seems like a real dick.

Surely there are options other than Lowe's. What about working at Home Depot? LOL.

[weelass24]

Can he apply at another Lowes or HD or some other type store? If the Lowes manager head any balls/ decency, he'd have told your son's boss to shove it. Which he may have done or just plans on ignoring the guy. I cannot imagine on contractor guy would make a huge difference to his bottom line. And seeing as how the door is open anyway, your son should go ahead and talk to the Lowes guy. Why not?

[cleo29]

He has a daughter, right? I think he has to do what is good for him and his child and that includes working for someone who will pay better, give better benefits, etc. And I think this is totally shady of his boss.

And sadly he learned a lesson the hard way, that if you are staying in the same industry you have to keep your lips zipped about leaving until everything is set.

[flex]

He keeps complaining about his job. He came in to see me yesterday at the office about something unrelated, and said "I don't know why I keep working there!" He took the day off with the excuse that his DD was sick, which she wasn't. I told him that lying about why he wasn't working that day was a huge red flag that he hated his job, which lead to our conversation about his work sitch.

After I offered up several alternates after he told me about the Lowe's thing, he switched to "Well, it's not that simple, Mom". Ugh.

[cleo29]

YOu see here is where the tough love comes in. If he is going on and on and on about it, then he has to do something. He has his daughter to consider and that should trump his asshole immature boss. If the benefits are that much greater at Lowe's, he should do it for his family.

And if used the not that simple line on me, I would tell him to explain it to me. Sometimes something in our head seems so much worse than it is.

[flex]

Jun 2, 2012 15:46:01 GMT -5 cleo29 said:

YOu see here is where the tough love comes in. If he is going on and on and on about it, then he has to do something. He has his daughter to consider and that should trump his asshole immature boss. If the benefits are that much greater at Lowe's, he should do it for his family.

And if used the not that simple line on me, I would tell him to explain it to me. Sometimes something in our head seems so much worse than it is.

I think part of his problem is that this is his first job that he's actually had for more than a year. When he was drinking and using he rarely lasted at one job more than a few weeks--if he worked at all. Now that he's been clean and sober for two years, I think he doesn't realize how marketable and valuable he is as an employee. He's 28 but he still has a lot to learn. lol And he knows I'm fairly savvy with labor laws, etc. with the line of work I'm in, so he comes to me for advice. He needs to realize that he needs to change his attitude over the crappy job so he's not miserable 24/7 OR he needs to change jobs. Pure and simple.

[statlerwaldorf]

What about a second job? Is that an option? My brother works PT at Kroger, but after working there for so long (one year maybe?) he became eligible for health insurance. His premium is only $5, but I'm not sure if that is biweekly or monthly. Either way it is very affordable and decent coverage.

[flex]

Jun 2, 2012 16:16:25 GMT -5 namasteak said:

Starbucks has really good benefits and you only have to work 20hours/week to receive them.

Good idea! I'll suggest it to him.

I was thinking UPS would be a good place to apply too.

He knows I Nest, so if I tell him I got suggestions from you guys he'll appreciate it. : )

[cleo29]

Jun 2, 2012 16:23:06 GMT -5 flex said:

Jun 2, 2012 16:16:25 GMT -5 namasteak said:

Starbucks has really good benefits and you only have to work 20hours/week to receive them.

Good idea! I'll suggest it to him.

I was thinking UPS would be a good place to apply too.

He knows I Nest, so if I tell him I got suggestions from you guys he'll appreciate it. : )

I know FedEx has awesome benefits and UPS is good too. I used to love chatting with our UPS guy, Steve, when I worked. He was such a nice guy.

[flex]

I think DS has the legs to be an UPS/FedEx guy ha ha

[flex]

Jun 2, 2012 17:21:57 GMT -5 @88mangoes said:

Target and JCPenney have decent benefits for PT employees too.
I'm fairly certain Home Depot and Safeway do too. Costco has insurance available after 6 months, but I think it's just major medical.
If he can stick it out a couple more months, most of these places will start beefing up staff for PFD in late August, and keep up a decent number of hours through Christmas. After the holidays, they generally keep the ones they like/haven't had attendance issues/seem to give a damn.

88! I've been meaning to ask you--do you live in Anchorage? If not, where? maybe we could have coffee sometime??

[usuallylurking]

I sent you a PM. The company H works for is hiring. They're in the construction/remodel business, which I assume your DS has some skills in based on applying to Lowe's/his current employer saying they'd yank their business from Lowe's.