discussion I need to have a moan and get this off my chest

[Guest]

When I started at my current job there were three gardeners and four handymen, and due to retirement or deaths now there is just me. I don't get paidvanymore for taking up all this extra work, in fact I even take a weeks less holiday a year to try and keep up.My bosses husband just bought a holiday home in Frinton which I've been going down to clean up and do some other jobs. Well they just had easter weekend down there and when she got back the first thing she did was moan about how I hadn't checked the gutters down there for leaves. So am I now also responsible for the maintenance down there now as well. Then she went on to moan about how shabby it is looking round here lately. I tell you I am thinking this is the last straw, so I am now supposed to do nine people's work for no extra momoney, and no appreciation. The site on mower is broken and in for repairs, last time I went without it for a whole season and had to use a push mower. I am about as fed up as it's possible to be at the moment. There had my moan, still really peed off though.

 

[colin m]

Maybe let the dust settle, then it could be time to point out the staff reductions you have been making up for.


My only real advice is to avoid any 'knee jerk reactions'.

 

[Alan 45]

Id write a diary of everything that goes on including being moaned at for not doing a job and then I would ask if there was any chance they could get some help in as it's becoming a bit hard to keep track of all the jobs now that your on your own , if you get refused ask for a pay rise , I'd be difficult but polite even if your moaned at then if they sack you for not being a one man band you can take them to tribunal on the grounds of unfair dismissal and ageist, at least you could come away with a nice little earner in the end


The problem with these types is they think they can treat you like S**t and think you should be grateful

 

[Guest]

Just tell them straight. They are taking the Michael right out of you and need some straight talking. Obviously they have no idea how long jobs take. Try giving them time frames for each job they give you and make them write up your jobs lists and then go through it with them and don't agree to mute than is reasonable

 

[Guest]

Sounds like general strike of all the workers are needed.


scott

 

[Guest]

If it were me I would ask for a formal meeting with your boss and politely but carefully explain all the extra work you have taken on, to the point that it is now impossible for you to carry out all they ask of you. At the same time I would give them a written account of your grievances as discussed at the meeting. This will be your proof, should it ever be required, that you had given fair notice of your problems. You may need this should they dismiss you and you go to a tribunal, it would ensure that your dismissal was unfair and you would receive just recompense. Meantime look for another job.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for all the reply and advice.


There is no chance of my being sacked we both know she will never find anyone stupid enough to take on all my responsibilitys, probably need at least three people. What really gets my goat is the lack of appreciation. I will be having words though. There is no way I'm taking on the maintenance of Frinton as well.


Ive been here before with the mower two seasons ago her answer then was well we managed before we had a sit on mower, I said we had more staff then and her answer was well you managed this season didn't you. There really is no winning with her. The begining of the next season I just said no sit on mower, no grass cut. It soon came back, I recon I will just have to remind her of that this season.

 

[Ian M]

I feel for you. Being pressed into more and more jobs is a one way street. Often a cul-de-sac.


You really need to make timed work sheets of all the tasks you are doing. Let them see just how much you are fighting with an


And how much time you do not have. This will also help high light any needs you may have. The proper tools for the job is half the work: yes you can cut the grass with a push mower but it takes all day... The ride on does it in an hour... That sort of thing.


Do the best that you can with the tools ab


No time you have and then they can't dismiss you for not doing your job. A bitter apple to bite into but better than no Apple at all.


Failing that you could end up going down with stress and then she will have to pay you while you are off sick. Assuming that you are paid while sick...


Sit her down and talk. You might get lucky. You might not, but you will know where you stand.

 

[grumpa]

Sorry to hear about your work problems, bosses suck and that's all there is to it. Maybe you should look to going out on your own.I don't know what kind or how much equipt. you own but maybe that can be a possibility for you. On another note and I hope this isn't a bad time to ask but I've been trying to join "Fantastic Plastic Models" forum. I saw that you were a member. I can't seem to get past their stupid procedure of going through "Contact Us" when trying to sign up, something about scanning for "spam" cleared what little spam I had and have tried to sign up several times but have not received any e-mails from them or anything, hence I don't know if I'm even getting through to them at all Maybe if you have the time or the inclination you can PM me and let me know where I'm going wrong if you might have some idea or not Thanks for your time in reading this, I hope you might be able to help me.............Cheers .....Jim Oh, don't fret too much about work as things usually work out in the end, just keep a stiff upper and lay out the facts to them, they're just trying to see if you could pull it all off on your own before they hire another man, that's just the way they are at times. They would much rather keep the money in their pockets and slave you along....Be Firm..............Jim

 

[Guest]

Hi all just a small example of the lawns I am at the present cutting with a hand mower. of course to these you can add tennis courts pool hse orchard drives main 1/3 rd of a mile side 1/4 of a mile lake sides and numerous shrub beds edged by lawns .View attachment 105744

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[Guest]

I've just bought a ride on mower for our plot which is just short of an acre. We worked out it would pay for itself in two and a half years so, at 1700.00 quid I thought we had a good deal. Don't tell me someone who owns that place can't afford 1700.00 quid for a decent mower.


I'm afraid someone who treats you like they do simply do not deserve to have anyone working for them. I would have no hesitation in walking out on them and finding another job. Life is too short to put up with people like that and why on earth should your working life be miserable? They will never find a replacement so they will then ask you back, which is when you put a contract in thier hands that redefines your working conditions, which can include treating you with respect. If they don't get back to you I bet you will be glad you moved on anyway. You would be better of doing other gardens in the area and selling your services on an hourly basis.


No-one has to put up with atitude like that, you are selling yourself short if you do.

 

[Ian M]

That I one big mother of a garden!


I have to agree with Richard. Look around you and see if there are others that you can sell you services to. Either you will get a much more mellow boss, or you can get loads of happy customers.


Where is that place?

 

[Guest]

That's just the front and side gardens they are the small ones, the back gardens are huge and there is an ornamental tree garden there are 3 lakes, and yes I deal with all of it myself and maintain the hall (obviously not to the standard it used to be) but I do my best. I have developed the attitude now if it gets done it does if not so what. The place is near Halstead in essex and in its hay day it must have been stunning.

 

[zuludog]

Years ago I worked for a company that was known in the area for paying low wages. One of the managers informed the bosses that he had been offered a job at a nearby competitor, on higher pay. They realised that they would both lose his knowledge & experience, and that he would not be easy to replace, so they said they would match the offer


His response was along the lines of; Match it?! but that's what I'm worth now. If you want me to stay, you'll have to better it


I believe they did make a slightly increased offer which he turned down, on the grounds that if he had to hand in his notice before they paid decent wages then the firm wasn't worth working for anyway.


I, too left after a few more months, and I've never regretted it


I don't know much about gardening, but I get the impression that there is a shortage of experienced & reliable people, and that you shouldn't have too much trouble finding another job


If they start panicking and making all kinds of offers off the cuff when you hand your notice in, don't get bogged down, just go anyway, or you'll only run into the same problems again

 

[Neil]

Yeah I agree, looking for a new job now after 4 years of no pay-rise and I don't see the higher ups not awarding themselves bonuses - we always get share holders voting rights and just to cock-a-snook at them, I always vote the opposite to the way the board recommends Anyway, back to this, that is a ridiculously large amount of garden to expect one person to care for. I imagine they expect you to pay your own expenses to/from Frinton as well?


Go look for some where else, as they say, it is always easier to get a job when you have a job.

 

[Guest]

The trouble is my missus work here as well we live in the lodge at about half what it would cost us to rent it privately and my missus would never forgive me if I put her in her place, my missus came home in tears one day a few years ago and I went down there and told her what I thought of the way she treated her staff told her I was not having her upset my missus and she could shove her job up her you know what, got home and my missus told me I had to go back and apologise. Of course she accepted because she's worse to my missus than me and knows she could never replace her. She couldn't care less if I was there or not she would just let the place fall down around her ears. If it was just me I would have left years ago but I will always do what my missus wants. I love her to bits we are great together, I just wish I could make her see how c$?p our boss is. My missus just thinks we are too old to be changing jobs and is worried about finding somewhere else to live.

 

[Guest]

Oh and of course she would never give me a reference for another job.

 

[Guest]

Ken I would first consider will you be happy to leave and work for others.


Second can you get another placement.


If the answers are yes to both then that is it seems to me to be the answer.


If it is no to the first but yes to the second then there is a decision to be made. That depends on your priority.


If the answer yes to the first but no to the second. Then you decision is made you stay.


Your problem is then do you risk antagonising your employer in complaining about the state of things. How safe are you in your job. From what you say as they have thinned down and you are the only one left that they consider you to be the best.


They would of course say that you are working the same hours as before and so it is very difficult to argue that you are having to work harder.


I would be frank (in a friendly manner) with them and say that you are doing your best but that you can only do as much as the hours you work allow and that due to that some of the maintenance will suffer. They then can except that as what else is there. Or they can employ someone else. Or they can increase you hours and pay you for that. But that is up to them.


I can not see any other route. If you cannot get another placement then you are stuck. I see no sense in making the whole matter confrontational as one they may employ others and you are without employment. Also once things become confrontational things are never the same afterwards. Would you want to work in an atmosphere like that.


Laurie

 

[Guest]

Ken I wrote my above piece before reading the one you have just posted. Does alter things but not a lot. I really feel for you it is such a dilemma. Sometimes you have to accept these things for the sake of others. Love is a phenomenon with a mind of it's own which influences all and in many cases beyond logic.


Laurie

 

[Guest]

No you are right Laurie thing is I do like the job the place is beautiful but I am one man being expected to do eight mens work (mine 3 gardeners and 4 handymen work) its just I was peed off at the fact I do my best and work my ass off and get no appreciation for it.