Confronting a boss-update

[born2run]

Debated posting this on here, but I need advice and you guys seem to be a good bunch.

This has been building since about March 06. I work for a dairy, (as most of you know) and the boss' wife who does the book-keeping started not paying me for the hours I was working. I'm the idiot here...I confronted her once and got back 8 hours out of the 12 lost. After that I never mentioned it. Every time I seen her or in some cases, the boss, they'd mention "watch your hours." After awhile this started making me angry. Anyone who has worked with animals knows that you can not set time limits on your work. Pushing me makes me do a sloppy job and stresses me immensely. There are nights totally beyond my control when I cannot get out of there in the time they've allotted me. Picked up another job recently which finally gave me a bit of power to manipulate them. This other gal wants me f/t, even though it'd be less hours and pay. At this point I'm almost willing to forfeit money just to get rid of the stress. However I am making one last effort to reason with them. I love the job, and the supervisor is great. He, unfortunately, is the one that got caught in the middle here. I mentioned what they were doing to me, and he went to the boss. Who, in turn got after him for not telling me to come directly to him.

Anyway, I am willing to negotiate on these conditions..."give me salary pay, or guarantee through contract that you WILL pay me for what I am working."

Where the major question comes in is how to politely confront them without being accusatory? Right now I have a lot anger about the whole situation. Help! I left a message asking to see them, so it's a guarantee that over the next 48 hours I will see both of them. Needless to say I'm nervous, but it has to be done

 

[Ryder]

First, take several deep breaths.

Try to be organized and show them the logic of your situation. Ask them for guidance on what you should do. In other words, put the monkey on their back to solve.

This may not help, but maybe it will. Hard to say not knowing the people.

 

[Beefy]

First, take several deep breaths.

Try to be organized and show them the logic of your situation. Ask them for guidance on what you should do. In other words, put the monkey on their back to solve.

This may not help, but maybe it will. Hard to say not knowing the people.

Ryder is very wise. dont give them an ultimatum. that will just tick them off.

 

[born2run]

Would it be ok to take a paper with stating the facts of what I perceive to be happening?

 

[Tod Dague]

You have to keep your emotions out of it completely. Understand that they are just like you and are trying to make every dollar they can. Assume that any shorts on your check was nothing more than a clerical error. Clearly define your problem and at least two options that can be used to correct the problem, wright them down. If they come up with another option for resolving the problem think on it over night since you are going to be nervous you will need time to think. Keep to the facts and only the facts. Keep responses short, and do not try to fill dead air. Most people are uncomfortable with silence and will begin to talk, that is when you can get the most information. Listen for key words like might, should, maybe.... You need definite claritive answers. If they need some time give them one or two days, that should be plenty of time, and clarify the amount of time. If you threaten to quit be prepared to quit.

 

[GMN]

How many hours are you supposed to be working, versus how many do you work? Do you just get paid for a certain amount of hours per night/per week? Is it that they aren't paying you for the alloted time, or just not paying you for time over the alloted time?

I'd be nice about it, and explain how you feel, and see what they say, and go from there.

Let us know

GMN

 

[Ryder]

Would it be ok to take a paper with stating the facts of what I perceive to be happening?

Use notes if you need them.
Awhile back I had to confront the head nurse in a nursing home concerning problems with treatment of a relative. I made notes of my points. When I went in, I had to confront not one, but three of them. They ganged up on me. Fortnately I had my points organized and written down and just kept coming back to them when they woukd try to confuse me.
The better prepared, the better your chances.

Stick to facts-not how you feel.

 

[andybob]

fortunately, I work for a set salary and bonus so have no time constraints, Livestock being what they are I probably work more hours than the salary covers, but I love my work and that makes all the difference.
I feel the extra time is paid for in the long term anyway, as our farm consistantly meets top bonus requirements, mainly due to the work ethic of my whole team!

 

[born2run]

How many hours are you supposed to be working, versus how many do you work?
They want me at 100 hours a pay period, or 7.75/shift. While this generally is possible, there are nights that I run up to 8 1/2 hours. Again, generally I can keep within what they want. What I am tired of is the constant nagging and distrust. And what do I do about the nights that I run over that? Assume I work for free?
Do you just get paid for a certain amount of hours per night/per week? Is it that they aren't paying you for the alloted time, or just not paying you for time over the alloted time?
I'm not entirely sure, and this is a source of frustration for me. I can try my level best to keep within the 100 hours, and she'll still dock me to 96 or 97. I can't figure out what they want. I have had more than one discussion with her, with it ending, "I understand and I'll do my best to keep it within that." Go pick up the check and find it to be docked, even though I have kept track and worked more than that.

 

[Alice]

How many hours are you supposed to be working, versus how many do you work?
They want me at 100 hours a pay period, or 7.75/shift. While this generally is possible, there are nights that I run up to 8 1/2 hours. Again, generally I can keep within what they want. What I am tired of is the constant nagging and distrust. And what do I do about the nights that I run over that? Assume I work for free?
Do you just get paid for a certain amount of hours per night/per week? Is it that they aren't paying you for the alloted time, or just not paying you for time over the alloted time?
I'm not entirely sure, and this is a source of frustration for me. I can try my level best to keep within the 100 hours, and she'll still dock me to 96 or 97. I can't figure out what they want. I have had more than one discussion with her, with it ending, "I understand and I'll do my best to keep it within that." Go pick up the check and find it to be docked, even though I have kept track and worked more than that.

You might start thinking about taking the other job...no, it's not as much money, but then, you're not getting paid for the work you put in anyway. And, sometimes not having the wear and tear on your nerves, and not having to deal with the constant frustration is worth a little less money. Just a thought.

Alice

 

[cmjust0]

Go F/T with the other gal and call the wage & labor board on your previous employers. You'll probably end up with a nice overtime backpay check, and they'll probably get the pants fined off of'em.

Frankly, that's exactly what they're in need of. If you're lucky, they'll end up having to go out of business, which is also what they're in need of.

You don't steal people's time -- I don't care who you think you are. It's just not right.

 

[la4angus]

Every time I seen her or in some cases, the boss, they'd mention "watch your hours." After awhile this started making me angry.

Anyway, I am willing to negotiate on these conditions..."give me salary pay, or guarantee through contract that you WILL pay me for what I am working."

It is possible that they are warning you to watch the hrs/ that you turn in compared to what you get paid for. She could only be making an error and is aware of it, so wants you to be aware of the hrs worked compared to the money paid and to bring it to their attention. I know of more than one place that the time is recorded manually and they tell all employees to be sure to double check their hrs. worked against monies paid.

 

[bigbull338]

i hate to say this but you are on very rocky ground with your boss.because you have taken a 2nd job.i dont understand your bosses either.im talking it you milk a nite shift.an if im right you set the barn up.milk the cows.as well as wash the pipeline.wash the barn an clean the holding pen.your shift will get loner if you have probs with cows pr equipment.i milked for 27yrs an never paid milkers by the hr.paid the releif milker pre milking.paid the fulltime milker a weekly salery.but the bottomline is this when you confront your boss your most likely going tobe fired.so if i was you id give them my 2wk notice.an if they ask telll them you cant complete your shift in their alloted time.an that they short your hrs.

 

[born2run]

I'm not the only one working there that has a second job. They don't seem to have a problem with anyone else pulling the hours, maybe they would with me. Herd manager told them I had this job, and also added, "you don't want to lose your night shift supervisor." I know I mean something to them...they've made that evident in the past. The pay is more than fair...I get a manager's wages. I have clearance to do stuff there that no one else besides the herd manager does...give meds and treat at will. I've laughingly called myself a mechanic and vet. There's not much there that I am not capable of fixing. From my point of view they would be stupid to fire me, because they'd pay the cost in $$$. Get a kid in there to work the nights that isn't dependable, let alone with the experience I have...you get the picture.

What I fully intend to do, thanks to your advice, is not "attack" or "threaten". Just present the facts and have the attitude that, "hey, you might not know how you are coming across to me. I'd like to make this work, and I think you would too."

I'd prefer salary pay, and am prepared to accept a reasonable offer. They need an on-call person on Sundays (herd manager has off) and I'd offer to come in if the weekend crews ran into problems. I want no more than what I'm currently getting paid, only benefit to me would be that it is locked in. Keep the advice coming!

 

[mdmdogs3]

I'd have notes of the hours that you have worked versus what you have been paid. It just may come down to you having to prove that you are working more hours... if you can prove it they may take that into consideration.

Remember, this is just a job and you were looking when you found it ... don't allow your job do to you what a previous one did to me... almost wrecked my life - my doctor told me I had to get a new job! Stress can ruin your health.

 

[msscamp]

They want me at 100 hours a pay period, or 7.75/shift. While this generally is possible, there are nights that I run up to 8 1/2 hours. Again, generally I can keep within what they want. What I am tired of is the constant nagging and distrust. And what do I do about the nights that I run over that? Assume I work for free?

Yes. If your job description states that you work 100 hours/pay period, but you feel the need to stay over then you are donating your time and hours to their cause. It's as simple as that.

I'm not entirely sure, and this is a source of frustration for me. I can try my level best to keep within the 100 hours, and she'll still dock me to 96 or 97. I can't figure out what they want.

If you're staying within the 100 hours/pay period and your check is still being docked, I believe I would have a little talk with the labor board in your state. Agricultural labor laws are a little on the vague side, but to be docked for hours within the set time/pay period is not right, it looks like they are violating their contract with you, and it appears that you're being taken advantage of. Just the way I see it.

 

[aplusmnt]

How many hours are you supposed to be working, versus how many do you work?
They want me at 100 hours a pay period, or 7.75/shift. While this generally is possible, there are nights that I run up to 8 1/2 hours. Again, generally I can keep within what they want. What I am tired of is the constant nagging and distrust. And what do I do about the nights that I run over that? Assume I work for free?
Do you just get paid for a certain amount of hours per night/per week? Is it that they aren't paying you for the alloted time, or just not paying you for time over the alloted time?
I'm not entirely sure, and this is a source of frustration for me. I can try my level best to keep within the 100 hours, and she'll still dock me to 96 or 97. I can't figure out what they want. I have had more than one discussion with her, with it ending, "I understand and I'll do my best to keep it within that." Go pick up the check and find it to be docked, even though I have kept track and worked more than that.

Do you sign and turn in a time slip? How does she come to figure of 96 hours and you 100 or more?

I have my guys fill out a time slip then sign it and turn it into me. Or they can email it if they want.

How do you report your time? And if you turn in a time slip of 100 hours and she pays for 96 what is her reasoning on why she did it?

 

[born2run]

I punch in using a time clock. Time is military time. Just got a call from the boss; scheduled to see them at 7 PM. I'll give ya'll an update...thanks so much!

 

[peg4x4]

Keep us posted....Glad I work where I do....

 

[milkmaid]

Keep us posted....Glad I work where I do....

Same here. Makes me appreciate the fellow I've worked for sooo much more. No suggestions for you, J, but best of luck with your talk with them tonight... as I've told you already. ;-)