Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 22, 2007 2:38:30 GMT
Good morning all. I'm in need of some advice, and considering there are many people with various life experiences, this seems the best place to ask.  I'm very happy in the job I am in at the moment. The only other job I want to do is a CSA for LU, but until that comes along, I have to start thinking about the near future. The company I work for pay rubbish, and that's not going to change. I also have a £130 monthly bill (about 1/4 of my wages after tax) to travel to and from work. Take away rent, expenses etc, I'm left with nothing. Also, I spend about 13 hours a day travelling to/from work, and actually working, so not much chance for a life. The question I ask myself is; Because I am (relatively) happy in the job I am in, have little or no risk of losing it, have made friends and built up a good working relationship with my colleagues, would it be worth sacrificing to start a job which pays more and gives me better hours, but less job satisfaction? What would you do if you were in my position is the advice I need, although any opinions etc are welcome? Any help much appreciated. David (UD) |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 22, 2007 3:01:14 GMT
I think the answer to your question is basically how happy are you to have no money and to spend 13 hours per day out of the house? If this doesn't bother you then I'd suggest doing a job you enjoy and you like is more important.
However if you're 'confusing' job security for being stuck in a rut, then you should take every challenge as it presents itself.
Before I joined LU I spent 12 years in the retail industry, in fairly similar circumstances to you. Not much money - but enough - respect of colleagues etc. The crunch for me came when I asked my boss for £2 grand more per year and she refused.
I joined LU and have never regretted it.
One other thing to consider is experience relevant to your LU CSA career. Would another job give you even better skills that LU are looking for? (shift work, customer focus etc etc).
|
|
Oracle
In memoriam
RIP 2012
Writing is such sweet sorrow: like heck it is!
Posts: 3,234
|
Post by Oracle on Mar 22, 2007 9:39:42 GMT
From personal experience: go for a change! However C-S is spot on.... try working in a public service environment first to get that "experience" on paper. The big supermarkets afford that chance, and always want people. Tesco's pay £6.05 p/h at the moment, and Aldi/Lidl £7.50 or so. When asked in interview for a CSA job, you can then say that you dealt with the public everyday, helping them find items, dealing with lost property, etc. that all looks good to the interviewers.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 22, 2007 9:49:11 GMT
i agree with you, although i dont spend so much on travel to work (mine is spent mostly on social evewnt) i am only contracted to 20 hours a week, which would make 435 a month luckily i get upto 37 aweeks until this week, im slight p****d of as a new guy comes in who knows the same as me and gets 9 hours a day even though i have been promised more hours, i love m,y job i just need more hours, i too am in a sticky situation as i have been offered to go into the careers club which mean i go on loads of courses but cannot stay thier if im only on that many hours, its only for certain parts of the year when we arnt so busy other times i sometimes do 12 hours a day......ive got my review next week so im gonna mention this all to my boss. david just have a meeting with your boss, you might be entitled to a rise!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 22, 2007 10:31:38 GMT
Thanks for the answers so far. Well the LU job is out the window for another 6 months; "This role of Customer Service Assistant- Full Time requires a level of competency that, unfortunately, on this occasions you did not meet."  Retail is the area I plan to stick to, as I have over a years experience in that area, and it would just be silly to waste it. As for my current job; I do 39/40 hours a week, I don't get paid for lunch, I have to work weekends (as of the 1st April), we have no staff room, the company pretty much ignores the stores it has and is more concerned about opening new ones, and the manager is so far up his own rear that its taken him 6 months to hire someone new, even though we are still horribly under-staffed!  As for speaking to my boss; It will never happen. He's all talk, no action. Says he'll do it, never does. I've completely given up on him, and anything I say to my supervisor goes straight back to him. I currently get paid £4.45p.h (should of gone up to £4.65 in January, but my manager "forgot" that I was due my 3 month appraisal, which I had 2 weeks ago  ), any rise they give me, unless its at least another £1, will only mean more tax for me to pay. |
|
Oracle
In memoriam
RIP 2012
Writing is such sweet sorrow: like heck it is!
Posts: 3,234
|
Post by Oracle on Mar 22, 2007 10:34:44 GMT
Go!!
As in go and get another job for goodness' sake!
|
|
|
|
Post by Tubeboy on Mar 22, 2007 11:31:17 GMT
Try LU again, I failed my sa application first time round [I'm breaking the rules with a naughty word doing the interview failed me, was senior in HR, staff will know who I mean]
Most LU staff come from retail, so stick with retail, and try again soon.
Best of luck!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 22, 2007 13:12:27 GMT
You're right Oracle. I think its because I was 17 when I started. A job was a job, little expenses and little to worry about. However, since I turned 18 it suddenly dawned on me how hard it will be in a few months. More tax, higher travel costs, you don't think about these things until they come up and hit you in the face! I'm not that worried about being rejected by LU. It was a long shot anyway. When I try again in 6 months time, I will be 6 months older and have 6 months more experience, which is something that should help me!   Thanks for the kind words and advice. I have a feeling that it would of taken me a lot longer to 'open my eyes' if I'd left it to myself. |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 23, 2007 3:59:40 GMT
STOP RIGHT THERE!!!!!You earn minimum wage and this company doesn't give you any type of facilities? IS this a national retailer? This is quite franky a disgrace. I'm 100% behind Oracle's advice - leave and get a better job. Retail is a good choice for LU, but why not chose a 24 hour supermarket, if one is available. Shift work is also a higly desirable quality. Also, LU are recruiting a lot of new CSA's this year - rumour is over 800 - so keep trying. Not forgetting if LU recruited Tubeboy, they'll recruit anyone  ;D
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 23, 2007 6:55:07 GMT
Indeed David...have another go! I have been really miserable recently when I failed my Train operator assessment (twice) but I'll try again. If you want a position on LU then don't give up trying - the benefits (money, holidays, shifts, union protection, good rules & regs concerning job) will make it worthwhile in the end. As Simon says, there is a big campaign in for SA's, so the wheels could well get turning! For application/assessment advice there's loads of us on here to ask..myself inculded |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 23, 2007 13:30:41 GMT
Lots of good advice there, UD and Simon is correct, 840 CSA's this year and 1000 (one thousand) train ops. The csa application can be a bit of a pig and you need something to catch the eye on your application. My wife applied and I told her to put down she was a milk donor during a spell in hospital having our daughter which lead to her own satisfaction and the happiness of mothers, doctors and nurses. Now I know you might not be able to use that same story but give them something to think about. Also at the interview stage there can be a woman, or bloke, shouting questions at you while you have to explain a delay or closure etc. Generally it's a doddle if you know what to say, how to act and what buzz-words to use. Try again, but don't hang on in a job where there is no future. All the best but the underground is where you really should be.:-)
|
|
|
|
Post by Chris W on Mar 23, 2007 14:02:42 GMT
David IMHO the company are taking you for a ride & they know it - treat em mean keep em keen springs to mind. Get out ASAP (yes as you are renting you have become a slave to the system to a certain extent). Take a day or so to look around (internet/knocking on doors). Walk around the West End (Oxford Street - assuming you are London based) and pop into shops asking questions. You have been open & honest about your opinions of the managers, however as tempting as it may be to tell them where to get off, I wouldn't do it - burning those bridges may satisfy you now, but when it comes to references, its not what they say, its what they do not say (a referee cannot provide a bad reference, but he can omit stating things that then raise questions with your intended employer). Hope that helps |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 23, 2007 17:48:32 GMT
I haven't read all the posts above properly, but, if you are happy in the job you are currently doing, but wish to have more money and maybe more of a social life, best thing to do, is to weigh up all the pro's and con's of staying or going elsewhere...
While I moved to London for better career choices, I left behind a lot of friends and family, whom I now see during my Annual Leave... I made a tough decision to quit Kent life altogether, and in some ways I do regret it, what I left behind, etc... However, currently, I would say I'm rather happy with where I am... So, think clearly what you want to do next...
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 23, 2007 22:20:03 GMT
David.
Take my advice and get out of there. Put it this way. I was at marks and Spencer and i was on 6.70 an hour. For the record i am younger than you and my minimum wage is 3 pounds.
Minimum wages in this country are a disgrace. At 3 pounds for under 18s is child labour.
Look into the law about staff restroom requirements. I suspect your company is breaking the law by not providing one.
Look elsewhere mate, as in a new job your be getting paid more most likely and you will make new freinds.
But hey just by having freinds or a slight love of the job should not under any circumstances put your own life in hell.
A new job, new life and more money.
Time to think about the world and how big it is and jump at the chance of anything. Because remember we only live once!
All i can say is get out of there or to anyone who is on a poor paid job. No rush of course but start putting the wheels in motion for a better life.
Cheers
James
|
|
), any rise they give me, unless its at least another £1, will only mean more tax for me to pay. 
;D
