Employer is holding me back from earning more money

[Deleted User]

Hi,

ok so here's my problem (it is really starting to get me down and i don't know what to do!)

I'm currently working for a company that I've worked for since the age of 16 (on and off whilst studying) and I'm now 21. After graduating from University this summer, I went back to work for the company on a four hour contract (I accepted this because I needed the money and was promised more hours to cover holidays etc) so i held out hope that I would eventually get more. About a month ago, I started to get a bit disheartened by the lack of hours I was getting and the amount of time I was sat at home doing nothing when I could have been working. I explained to my manager that I was thinking of applying for other jobs even though I loved working for my employer.. My manager told me that she had guaranteed me at least one day a week in another branch in a nearby city being a keyholder (aswell as the 4 hours in my home city) after talking to the area manager. I was really thrilled and for three weeks I worked in the other store and did two days every week. Although it was tiring leaving the house at 6am and not getting back until 8pm, I felt like I had a purpose and I was earning about three times more per day than i was earning in over three weeks previously..

The manager at the second branch was really appreciative of me working at her shop as I am a key-holder and so managed the shop, so she could rely on me and trust me. But a couple of weeks ago, the work dried up in the second branch, even though I was told I would be given one day a week there by my manager back home. I felt a bit annoyed as my manager had told me I could have these hours to guarentee me work to stop me from quitting...I got some more hours at my home branch but I began to think more about when the other store would need me or even if they would at all!

My manager has been really rubbish with getting rotas done and this has ended up with me missing out on days upon days of work in the second branch. She would tell me that I couldn't work in the second branch becasue she would need me and i should put her first, but then I wouldn't be given any hours a particular weekend when I could have worked at the second store..

I talked to the store manager in the second branch and explained my frustration at being offered hours from her but not being able to do them because of my manager. Due to my manager being difficult, the second store's manager has given hours to other people because she didn't know when i was available.

My manager is making me work five days in a row doing 3 hours shifts each day one week (and i am therefore unable to work a full day in the second branch) and then the next week, she's got me down for 4 hours - so i'm sat at home doing nothing (it is very annoying that this week, the second branch doesn't even need me!)

argh I am sorry this is so long-winded but it's so complicated and i feel loyal to the branch I've worked in for years but feel that my manager is being difficult because she doesnt want me to work in the other store just incase she needs me...this is my life and I feel that I could be earning so much more and I have missed out on so much money because of my manager when I am willing to work..

I've been told I should ring the area manager direct as she has told the second store that their needs take priority over my original shop but I don't want to offend my manager and i wouldnt want her to find out..I just feel that my manager doesnt understand that i need as many hours as possible and to earn as much as possible as i'm planning on going travelling in march. And the store is probably closing in the new year so I will be jobless, so now is even more important. She's been on holiday the past week so I will see her on Tuesday but I just don't know how to talk to her or sort it all out without alienating and annoying everyone!

Please can someone offer some advice and tell me if they think I am being unreasonable? In my opinion, the second store who offers me more hours should tell me days that she wants me to work and then my manager should work around it as she cant give me as many!
but that will probably never happen!

thank you for reading this and i would appreciate any comments!

Sarah x

Kavanne

Just start looking for a new job, don't need to tell your manager. You gave them a chance and they blew it.

PS don't mention you want to leave in March when going to interviews!!

[Deleted User]

hi,
i don't want to quit - betting 10 hours a week is better than nothing right now and with the number of people applying for jobs, there's no guarantee i'd get another one for xmas. Also, i like my job and know it like the back of my hand so want to continue working for them! I just need those hours!

Kavanne

You don't need to quit yet, sounds like you have plenty of opportunity to fit interviews around your existing job and I imagine you don't need to give much notice with that contract you're on

[Deleted User]

arghh but i want to stay. i'm getting paid a good amount for a retail job and really want a way around this! surely there's a way i can settle it so im working for both stores and getting the hours i need!?

borders_dude

If its bothering you so much, which it must be because you have taken the effort to come on here and moan. Why dont u start looking for a new job? Since you only work a few hours a week you have plenty time to look for jobs, attend interviews etc!

passatrider

borders_dude wrote: »

If its bothering you so much, which it must be because you have taken the effort to come on here and moan. Why dont u start looking for a new job? Since you only work a few hours a week you have plenty time to look for jobs, attend interviews etc!

Remind me never to ask you for a friendly ear

[Deleted User]

but my job isn't the problem - i love my job and i dont want another job!
the hours are there im just having trouble getting them!

borders_dude

smidge_smudge wrote: »

but my job isn't the problem - i love my job and i dont want another job!
the hours are there im just having trouble getting them!

With respect, why dont you want a full time job?

Kavanne

If you want more money for your travelling you may have to suck it up and get another job. Like I said, you've given your employer a 2nd chance and they've blown it.

[Deleted User]

because i've only just finished uni and dont have the experience to apply for one - i've never worked in an office and have applied for full time jobs but get turned away because of lack of experience (that's why im going travelling/moving to canada to get experience by volunteering)...i've applied for a few jobs full time/temporary for xmas in retail but that will only be for a few weeks...