Is this 'taking the pi55' ?

[Answerprancer]

I have been working for a specialist cleaning group that has been trading for just over one year. They have built up a reasonable client base and I have been working for them since a month or so after they started trading.

The job involves traveling to and from the pick up point where the van is kept, going to the venue, liaising with the customer, moving vehicles around and carrying out the cleans to a high standard.

Since I have been doing the job almost since day one, they have appointed me 'team leader' but without informing the *one* other guy who I pick up on the way (he doesn't drive) *I* had to tell him!

As things have picked up, their standards have gone up too and recently I received a right royal rollocking because a clean was reported as sub-standard.

My guff is this: the job often involves me driving 80 miles or more, being responsible for all the paperwork, liaising with customers etc AND taking the flack if my co-worker c0cks up **for ther same £65 a day** we're paid.
The days are usually over nine hours long including driving (not including travel to and from the van though).

Currently, there are only three of us regularly working for the company (including the boss's 26 year old daughter).

I haven't signed a contract or anything similar, but I am on a (newly implemented) payroll.

Any advice ? I'm at my wit's end (further info available to sympathetic respondees) !

Cheers

AP

[tamborine]

If you're responsible for your co-workers you need to pick & pay them accordingly. That way you have more authority over them & can maintain work standards; sort it with your boss.

[Answerprancer]

Thanks for the response. I am not responsible for employing or paying my co-worker, my boss does that.
Effectively, I (and any co-worker) are in the employment of the boss(es).
To my knowledge, both bosses have 50/50 shares and ownership of the business.

[tamborine]

You need to tell your boss that you cant be held responsible for others shoddy work. You have got a heavier workload than your co-workers & you need to work out a fairer system. Ofcourse you dont want to jeopardise your work, so be diplomatic; smile as you complain :)

[owdhamer]

I suppose you are lucky to have a job.

[weecalf]

time you were having a word in his shell like with what you are doing and the good work you do the will be other jobs .he prob getting three times your wages for employing you .

[Answerprancer]

Thanks Tambo - he is difficult to deal with eg. once we had some very good feedback from a customer and he effectively used it as a threat telling us "it has to be like that all the time". I'll have to try and do what you advised but he is a bolshy rude b@stard, so I'll have to time it well.

[tamborine]

Bide your time AP till you can steal the business.

[Answerprancer]

LOL - I did consider that. Get a small van of my own and knick all their customers!

[tamborine]

great minds etc. We all gotta survive !

[Answerprancer]

Any more advice ...anyone ?

[baza]

b.ear in mind that as you have NO contract of employment the boss(es) can muck about with hours , conditions etc, you need to ask for a contract asap but smile and be polite when you ask for it.
If they cut up rough get a van , nick their clients and stick up two fingers

[Answerprancer]

LOL - yes, that looks like a good option (including the fingers).

[joko]

not sure what advice you want really...?

none of us can change anything - there is only one thing you can do - and thats speak to the boss about it and explain the problem...

[Hopkirk]

I would tell him that you feel you deserve to be paid more than the other guy, because of your extra responsibility.

[welshlibranr]

I'd be super nice to all the customers for a few weeks, do a really good job for them all, and then get a van etc., undercut the prices a little, and steal them all!.....your boss deserves nothing less!.................be brave!......