Not really been a good day - ended up handing in my notice this morning even tho I didn't want to

For those that don't know, music is my first passion in life - I started out playing (drums) in band when I was younger and gigging a lot, then when I left school I went to work for a drum shop/company in London. Sadly the guy who ran the place was a complete c**t and I was treated really badly there. I stayed on for 2years as all I really wanted to do was work in a drum shop!

I did leave it tho and have done various things since, but August last year I returned to the music trade when I found a young new company in my home town opened up that sell musical instruments. Went down there and had a chat and found there were in need of someone to build and run their drum department, and jumped at the chance, even tho it meant taking a pay cut (was told that my pay owuld be lower initially, but later on it would rise to what I was on, and then go up as the company got bigger and better)

Anyway, after various run in's with this fucking sudo-lesbian Canadian manger bird who is like the staff manager, I ended up resigning this morning

I really don't wanna leave as it's ten mins from my house and has the potential to be a really really great store to work in and run, but I am just constantly being lied to all the time! Mainly by this manager bird. She's got this real power trip going on and thinks she's really important as she's "management" ( and keeps trading on this "manager" title she has, which is funny as I also have a manager title as I am the drum dept manager) even tho she is only middle management and worth fuck all. Anyway she keeps giving me (and the other chap who runs the guitar showroom) empty promises and meaningless speeches about how intrinsic we are to the companies growth and it's future and then following day lays it all to waste by going on another power trip.

Anyway there's a whole big history which I won't go into, but at the beginning of December she tells me she needs me to go and work upstairs in the offices, basically answering phones and taking sales calls, even tho I'm supposed to be running the drum showroom downstairs (on my own) which I wasn't happy about as I can get paid twice as much and get commision doing cold calls for a window company. I agreed on the promise that at the beginning of Jan I wouldn't work up there anymore. I also promised that if she went back on her word or lied to me I would resign.

Well today she told me I need to go back up there to "answer emails". So I challenged her as to why I can't answer emails from my computer in the downstairs showroom and she couldn't give me a straight answer. The reason I put "answer emails" in speech marks is cos I know thats not what she wants me to do. We had a girl leave the office last week who did most of the sales calls, and I know that all this slag wants is to get me up there and basically have me replace the girl who left - which isn't why I left. The reason I left is cos I was being lied to - AGAIN.

Now, part of the reason is cos I made a promise I would resign if I was lied to and asked to go back and work in the office (one of the things I have abotu working upstairs and taking sales calls is I am being paid about Ł4k LESS than another chap who sits up there all day answering the phone). I fell that if you repeatedly lie to someone all the time, then you can't possibly respect them, and if I am not being respected then I don't wanna work with those type of people. I wanna work with people who do respect me and do appreciate what I do and the contribution I make to the company - and I don't see any of that coming my way. I am tossed about all over the place, lied to constantly, generally disrespected and whilst they say I am appreciated, it's not like they show it with performance related pay! I just feel it is all empty words and bullshit lies....

But I'm now sat here feeling sad that I feel I have been forced out of a job I really liked - could have been a dream job for me - and wondering if I have done the right thing by resigning. I know I did it partially for the right reasons (the whole thing about being disrespected and lied too, and generally treated like shit) but I worry I have also done it cos I am very headstrong and had to do it cos I threatened I would and she called my bluff. I don't want to think I quit purely to make a poitn cos who wins then?

Have I dont the right thing? I am not so sure anymore

Lastly, this is the first time EVER in so many years I have left a job without having one to go to - and the thought is a bit scary I will readilly admit

Sorry for the rant, needed to get it off my chest

 

best of luck to you matey

how much notice , if any did you give?

i recently handed in a months notice because i felt the company i was working for was not treating me with respect and rewarding me for my good work. when they realised i was serious they actually tried very hard to find me a new job doing something more challenging and obviously better money. i had a job to go to that paid Ł8k more but didn't want to leave the 'industry' i was in and had learnt so much about.
in the end i agreed to stay and do this new job and am glad i did. the ot i'm putting in bumps my wages nicely and i feel i'm on a career path rather than just dead end.

if i were you try to have a word with management (not middle management) and tell them you do not want to leave, maybe then you can come to a compromise by where you chain up the lesbian and throw scalding coffe in her face as a morning ritual

seriously though have a chat and make them know you don't want to leave, they might not want to lose you

 

The way I see it you have made a decision based on your principles and based on how you should be treated as an employee.

A balls'y decision to make and a credit to you.

I trust that things work out for the best and you find suitable employment soon.

Best of luck.

 

clicked on the link thinking it was one of jays (bluesmoke) ah well, not to worry

 

brave decision mate but if you're being fucked about and are unhappy at work then why stick it out?

hopefully you'll find another job where they realise how dedicated you are

chop

 

Ring up in the morning - there will be a job going in the drum section

No seriously mate, fair play for having the guts to stick to YOUR word

Im sure it will turn out okay

 

This is something I've learnt through my rather odd career (if you can call it that) - your job is only as good as the boss you have!

Unfortunately you can't interview your potential bosses when trying to get a job!

Good luck with the next one mate

 

I don't know where you stand regarding unemployment benefit [Jobseekers Allowance] but you might find you don't qualify for it to start with because you have resigned without a job to go to. Also, if you haven't given notice, you can forfeit any monies due to you by your employer.

http://www.tuc.org.uk/extras/jsasanctions.pdf

I strongly suggest you have a browse of the ACAS site and see what your rights as an employee are.

 

Thanks all for the support, brightened me up a tad and bud-weis put a smile on my face

I gave 2 weeks notice, even tho as of yet I STILL haven't been presented with a contract to sign So I can walk today, but I think it will make my life more difficult if I do to get the monies I am owed.... Plus, I am a professional, even if they aren't - and I do things in a professional manner, which means I stay loyal to the company till the end for things like day to day running of the place and my behaviour - just something I pride myself on : being able to rise above their level and be professional.

Lynn - I realise I have shirked all chances of getting dole, but to be honest I don't really want it anyway. I have a little bit of money saved up for a house deposit so I will be okay for a short while till I find a job...

 

Having a cock as a manager can make the best job in the world seem like torture.
Make sure the people above her know exactly why you are leaving. Even if they dont ask you to stay, it'll be satisfying to put a nail in her coffin!

Big shame, but I think you did the right thing, you never realise how much a job sucks untill you quit and get a better one.

Good luck!!

 

Hope it all works out for you Thrush, at least by giving notice and also by remaining professional, they should, by rights give you a good reference.

Good luck.

 

Top attitude mate - keep that up and you won't go far wrong.

If you are not happy, you are right to do something about it. Hope you get something sorted soon.

 

i would have done the same good luck in your hunt for a new job

 

I take it she accepted your resignation ???

as you are still sitting in your dept and the fact that the other girl left recently you may find you "manageress" comes back with a proposition to keep you

If she dosent own the Co then she is also accountable to a superior & possibly wont want to be loosing staff at one per week.

If my line of thought is Bolox and you do leave just get down to the nearest agency & take atemp job to tick over whilst you gather your thoughts & make plans for future

best not to dip into your house savings unless ou really have to

Good luck

BTW i need drum lessons if you were closer to brum

 

Havent read it all BUT I'd say you've done the wrong thing as you dont have another job.

I get so wound up with my job its unreal and I am desperate to leave.. almost everyother day I am on the verge of telling them to come and get there fucking car and shove it up there arses and just walking.

My Dad always tells me to find another job first.

Gotta live man

 

Me too LOL... I stopped when I was 18 and left school due to no access to drum kit.

Somet about the neighbours and waking the dead

jake

 

It could be a blessing in disguise mate.

I was sacked out of the blue in August and I was out of work for 7 weeks, my job now is SO much better than my previous one and I'm glad I was sacked now as it made me go and get this job. Felt like crap at the time though!

Chin up mate and I hope it all works out for you.

 

Unfortunatly........ you were "managed out"

Quite common and has been attempted on me in a big way when I was 18ish working for a BIG electrical retailer....

I had all sorts of shit thrown at me BUT I grinned and bore it.. took it all in my stride...

In the end thuogh the mgr got moved to aother branch his deputy who was also his mate, got a serious reality shock when the new store mgr came in

He had a huge kick up the arse, him and I stilll were at loggerheads and the sealing of his fate came when we had a huge great arguement on the new store managers day off, I took it again as one of thse things, but he spoke to the stooore mgr at the first opportunity he could and grassed the whole story to him

Backfired though as the store mgr agreed with my reasons AND Gained alot of respect for me as I didnt go running to him to grass on the dep mgr at the earliest opportunity, even when he questioned me on it I still didnt tell the whole story as it was witnessed by other staff members and relayed to him by the deputy mgr though I was within my rights to Łcuk up the dep mgr

The moral is... EVERYONE gets their "comupance"... there was a stock take upon the new mgr joining the store and HO security got involed as '000's of pounds of stock was "missing", the old MGR and dep mgr got the sack!!!!!!!!!!!

I then went on to be put forward by my new mgr for the prestigeous managment training programme 6 mths later

Still remember the arsehole Managers name 10 yrs on Peter M*****g and simon was the deputy

 

I`ve got the kit (Pearl Export)
just need to be better on them

 

I doubt it, I can play live forever and a few other oasis numbers but generally I just get carried away and go for it..
Why dont you listen to some music you like and try and recognise what they're playing from that and just go for it, I learnt to play bits of She bangs the drums and I wanna be adored by the stone roses doing this, and 100 mile high city- which is quite difficult by all accounts.


Jake

 

Dangerous - She accepted it on the spot - I gave her the opportunity to try and talk me out of it but she just took and walked off.. Fucking bitch... I am still working downstairs running the drum showroom as I should be. She's not actually here today (called in sick, I wonder why ) but I bet if she was she'd be trying it on to get me upstairs to answer phones and the like I am hoping that someone (there's two "general" (middle) managers : this psycho lesbo chick and another guy, then there's the MD. I'm hoping one of em comes to me next week and gives me the opportunity to stay on, and we reach some sort of aggreement as to what I do and don't do etc (and I WILL get it in writing this time FFS) then I wil stay on and see how it goes. Problem is this mangeress seems to take everything personally - you pander to her and tell she's great then she'll be your best mate - disagree and tell her her idea's are crap and that you know better then she takes it personally and basically sulks. So I doubt she will make the move to keep me on unless she is told to. So hopefullyeither the MD (who tells me he wants to have a "good chat" with me next week before I leave) or the other manager dude will come to me with a propersition or something..... Fuck knows....

And as for other work, I will probably go back into car glass, either back to Autoglass or try RAC Auto Windscreens (who I think are offereing more money). Don't really wanna, but I'm good at it and it's something I can do and do well

 

Hiya Matt, think you have done the right thing, but it might be worth going for a "good chat" with the manager before your finishing day next week... come to think of it it may have been worth having a word with him when this all started.

Employment rights are a bit wishy washy for people not in a job for at least a year... or two.... but really, if she has somethng against you, then technically her getting at you in the manner she has and asking you do do something that wasn't in the job description could be classed as constructive dismissal.

Sarah

 

I recon the "Good Chat" could be regarding you staying on

As far as the bird is concerned IF you do stay there are ways of telling someone their ideas/suggestions are crap and yours are better without them even seeing it happen
Might take a bit of lip biteing at times Buf you like the job worth it.

Just see it through These things have a way of working out well

 

Cooont

Are you lot ever going to drop this?!

Thrush, go over her head mate and speak tot he real management. Tell them what's been going on and that you can no longer work for a person like her. You may well find she's been making stuff up and telling you to do stuff cause she thinks she can get away with it.

Best of luck mate

 

Good move Matt.
Sounds like the company is into dodgy practices anyway so getting out now may prove wise in the long run.

Besides.. Theres a Sierra in my garage that needs glass

 

just out of interest, can you play to/read drum music? (or normal music).

Session work

 

I can play pretty much anything you want Graham - I can't read drum notation tho! I never bothered to learn as I was gigging regulary every week for about a year before I even took lessons... So when it came to learning to learn to read drum notation I didn't bother as in my nievty(sp) I thought I was gonna make it as a big rock star and make millions of pounds

Scoob - true mate, true... I am just sitting now waiting to see if they decide they actually need me more than I need them and see if they come back to me with a proposition or something - if not, I'm gone. I can't retract my resignation once I have given it as it would go against everything I stand for and against my own principals of hoesty and standing up for myself/standing behind my discisions(sp)...

 

matt whats the big deal about working another department if it helps the companys needs,,,,,,, im sure theres not many people in january who are buying drum kits so it might have been a financial desision to make for the interest of the company


the reason i ask this is i had a similer thing at work

theres a apprentice that needs to move up a level and do 6 months of front counter work where i am and 2 others that are both 6 months trailing behind him that need to move up a level and as such that means theres nobody doing the basic shitty adn long arse hard job of picking stockl, a job they give the new staff who need to learn the business first


anyway we had the issue and as a result I have volenteered to do the worst fucking job in the world that ford can ever dish out............. I HATE IT TOO but it needed to be done for the interest of the company having a whole team progressing is more important whilst its quiet will be more use in the future when a member of staff goes sick or has a holiday ect


so even though it may be doing a job you dont wanna do the end of the day if its to benifit the company thats the way to be looking at it


as if the place aint making loads of cash you aint gonna get a rise,,,,,, oh did i mention i got a pay rise for sugesting doing the shitty job and when i get a garage i get to abuse the moped as my play toy in my free time as we dont use it much and i was moaning about the 3 quid for a train ticket at work,,,,,, they even paynthe fuel too as its fuck all to run

so moral of the story is help people adn people will return the favour


now dont get me wrong theres loads of wanky managers about as then you are better off leaving,,,,,, as you know i been there and got the hump and left


but i actually request some shite jobs at my place as i feel like a link in a chain rather than a member of staff

since ive been at my place ive cleaned shelves,,,,, paint the floor as the place needed a fresh approach and cost us 40 quid in paint and i got 2 days to paint a floor ( what a fucking easy job,,,,,,, it really was just watching paint dry too ) and theres loads of other things but i get remembered for it so when im late they just ignore it ect or if i need out early theres no issues

good luck in what happens but either way you will be fine

 

Because Ginge, I didn't quit over being asked to work another department - I quit over constantly being lied to, deceived, and disrespected. It's not like I haven't already bent over backwards for the company either - I have done more work for other departments (including picking and boxing in the warehouse, keyboard showroom, piano showroom, customer service, and answering sales calls) but it's got to the point that I'm basically having the piss taken out of me, as so far everytime I have said "yes" when at some point I need to say "no". And then when I do say "no" I end up doing it anyway.... So the one time I end up standing my ground and stop being a push over it ends like this.... See my point.

Lastly, why should I keep taking it inthe arse for the company, when the company isn't appreciative and the company keeps fucking me in the arse? It's not like I am getting anything out of it other than a completely insincere "thanks"

 

personally i agree with your principles mate ...

but might be worth going to see the md and have a chat ...

 

Well Matt,

As in the PM's to me you are obviously a very good drummer and knowledgable on the subject too!

Why dont you teach and at the same time start your own buisness selling kits and accessories? Or isnt the market good enough? Other than that id say find a band and get gigging again

BTW I get lied to all the time where i work...runs with the trade...but i admire ya for sticking by what ya believe in

 

matt im not dissagreing with you, just i dont know the back ground but i have worked for different companys and been like you have and some times its actually been me to blame for the situations

but if the company dont recognise that you are willing to go the extra mile and instead use it to make there job easy and convinient then FUCK EM

go else where and get a proper opertunity you deserve mate,,,,,,,,im just saying cause it was tuesday when i agreed to be the parts bitch so the 17 year old could get unrestricted net access and chill on a desk all day getting me to pick the shite for him to sell ( why did i sugest this shite )


good luck though, there are some decent firms out there but most are wankers,,,,,,,,,,, that includes ford,,,,,,,,, just my branch has the best team and we help each other out and as a result i got told this week ive been there 6 months and not had 1 day off yet at all,,,,,, thats not sick or even a holiday

the staff make a job what it is imo

good luck

 

your a builder though,,,,,,,,, all you do is go on a job that needs a few bits pointing, suck ya teeth in and say its a big job and will take ATLEAST a month and cause of that will be more money than the total finacial deficet of the ukrain and then you take twice and long and dont finish it cause you under quoted

the guy pays, never earns any profit and you go and buy a drum kit with the cash you made


thats the building industry as i recal

 

cheeeeeeky fooooooker! Thats shit gives us a bad name

 

Lee, I'd love to start my own drum gaff, run it as a .com company for the first couple years to save on overheads then build it up as a "shop" shop, but I simply don't have the capital for it It takes a large investment to get it going, and the drum market isn't the most profitable market to be honest. It's only the big names that make lots of money from it. The mark up on stuff is generally rubbish, so it's only when you are buying on 30-40 kits per order or 500-1000/2000/3/4/5000 cymbals at a time to you start making any real money.

For example somone orders a kit from me - I buy it in at say Ł499 + VAT. RRP is suggested at Ł699 inc VAT, but the more established drum shops are doing them at discount cos they bought multiple kits in (cos they have the capital) so they do em at say 25% which is Ł524. So we have to match to be competetive, but we don't get the trade discount.

So the big shops pay Ł499 less 30% (mutiple kit deal discount) = Ł349+VAT, and sell at Ł524 = Ł175 profit. I still pay Ł499+VAT and sell for the same Ł524 so only make Ł25 profit.... Thats a big difference!!!

Some of the guitars we sell, we actually sell for LESS than we paid for them!!! In fact 99% of all Fender and Gibson guitars we make a loss on when we sell them. The idea behind it is that the more QUANTITY we shift the higher up the dealer chain we go and become eligable for discounts etc. Then we generate more orders due to company recognition in the market place, we get more customers and more orders, so we buy more guitars (and get discount, coupled with the higher dealer ranking discounts) so e start to make money back on stuff....

It's no easy thing setting all this up and working out how you make money when we are selling stuff for less than we paid for it in the first place

 

scrap that idea then

Youre left with

Join band again and gig
teach

 

Best of luck for the future mate

 

i quit my job at the end of october,i regret it now as im still not workin

 

Or;

go back to fitting windscreens and earn real money and buy a house

There's no way I could teach. I mean I can play, but I am self taught and have way too many bad habits etc... I also simply do not have the temperment or vocabulary to teach...

If I found the right buch of lads to play with then I would go back on tour again - nothing like living on the road : the tour bus is home, different hotel and stage every night.... Fucking bliss.....