Resign

theoretica

Matt, sadly full time jobs are just that- full time. Hopefully you can find some time at weekends for socialising and hobbies, but if you stopped thinking in terms of hours and simply dedicated five days a week to the job you might feel better about it.

I have every sympathy with you wanting to get away from this unpleasant sounding boss, but if you can put up with him for the good of your career it would be wise. (Think of your salary as payment for putting up with the conditions?)

DVardysShadow

theoretica wrote: »

Matt, sadly full time jobs are just that- full time. Hopefully you can find some time at weekends for socialising and hobbies, but if you stopped thinking in terms of hours and simply dedicated five days a week to the job you might feel better about it.

He is doing 1 and 2 hours over every day. That is a full time job. I don't think that he should feel bad about wanting some time to himself during each weekday.

FATBALLZ

Don't get me wrong - I regularly do 15 hours a week of unpaid overtime, and I agree with those who say this is expected in certain fields. However what I don't have, is an employer who treats me like crap. Yes I am unhappy with the pay and recognition but my employer is flexible and understands personal lives matter. You sound like you have a really awful job - it's perhaps misleading to assume you should stay because it looks good on your CV, if you have the sort of manager who will give you a bad reference out of spite you may be best off out of it now. If you think you can get another job, I'd say you should leave. If this is your only way to break into the industry, you may have to accept you need to stick it out for a couple of years to get it on your CV so you can move up the ladder.

Ma77h3w

Well looked at my bank and think it'd be wise to earn another weeks pay, at least then I'd be back at square one with how much money I've spent moving here etc. Although unless it goes smoothly I'll just find another job. I have managed to get a few job offers in the past year, I'm sure I can again. (did actually get an engineering job for a week back in feb, but got made redundant) I do think it'll take a few months and I will probably have to go home.
I am not in a huge rush to get into my career, however this is another question: How long after graduating can I still apply and get a job in a big engineering firm? I graduated in july 2009.. so it's almost been a year already! :S
My house mate suggested lying and saying I'd been travelling, (not total lie as I have been a few places). Then it at least looks like I haven't been a complete bum. Although I'd hate to lie and if they asked I'd probably tell them it was only a week or 2.

bristol_pilot

Ma77h3w wrote: »

How long after graduating can I still apply and get a job in a big engineering firm? I graduated in july 2009.. so it's almost been a year already!

For a grad scheme they usually want people who have graduated within the last 2 years. Don't leave your work experience off your application! It is understood that some people make the wrong choice of first employer after graduation so it will not count against you if you can come up with a good reason for leaving - e.g. the firm was too small to offer carrer prospects, there was no training, they wouldn't get you Chartered etc. But whatever you do, don't mention not working long hours / unpaid overtime as the reason as you have done on this forum as it gives totally the wrong impression. Don't say you didn't get on with the boss either.

Debicj

If you are going to resign, why not try to talk with your boss first? Tell him why you are not happy and ask him to state exactly what is expected of you - hours of work, rules, etc. Then if you agree with what he says, tell him that you are quite prepared to stick with this agreement if you can have a written contract and carry on working there for as long as it takes to find something more suitable.

Of course, he may take the view that he no longer wants you working there, but at least you will have had your say and you really won't have lost much if you want to leave anyway.

Ma77h3w

I survived another day! I'm aiming for wednesday when I'm hopefully getting paid. They did throw me some more work at 6.30pm and I was soo tired I could barely do it. I dont understand how people work such hours doing a job that requires a lot of thought. They said the work was very important.. it wasn't in the slightest, it would just help another mech engi in the future if i'm gone.. I guess that means they plan on firing me soon.

Surprising thing happened today, bumped into one of the other 2 graduate co-workers on the train to work today, and without saying much at all he opened up and told me how bad he thought this job was. Said he was going to quit as soon as he could. They had him working 9am to 10pm Saturday and Sunday unpaid. He also said his previous job in China (he's Chinese) was no way near as bad as this.

While I was waiting for the old windows 2000 machine to load up Solidworks (takes 15 mins) I found some info..

For 5 of the companies employee positions (maybe 6 in the past? there's at least 1 desk that's been empty)
Here's how many people have left:
2001 0
2002 1
2003 2
2004 8
2005 6
2006 9
2007 8
2008 7
2009 4

Taking 2004 onward.. that's a turnover of about 140% for the 5 positions
I somehow think that odds are against me....

Good note:
Had some replies from job applications already! only emailed a few companies yesterday

snowqueen555

you shouldnt have to work several extra hours unpaid, I'd never stay, or I would definitely complain or leave tbh

ceridwen

I think that says it all about your job then - if even a Chinese person is saying he had an easier time of it doing a similar job in China (we've all - presumably - read about the work conditions there:eek:).

Interesting bit of research on the staff turnover:) - does that info. give the reasons as to why each of them left?

Zazen999

If you have had job offers in the past, then contact the recruiting managers and ask if the company have any openings as you have already been through the process.....

I think that turnover is totally shocking!!! If they just paid a decent wage and stopped asking for ridiculous unpaid hours they would save more in recruitment and training costs than they think they are saving by making everyone work stupid hours....