Work Today

[Squid kids Dad]

Easier said than done...

[nightfighter]

Tell him to provide the insurance company's statement IN WRITING that you are considered an unsafe driver and that is directly resulting in an increase in his rates. That is a very derogatory accusation that you will pursue, if necessary. Give him seven days to produce. If he can't, it will smell of wrongful termination or at least making it more difficult to do your job. If he did know all the vacation time when he hired you, it would help to document that. Hell, plumbers are in demand with all the building and remodeling, I know! Sounds like his business must be in bad shape if he can't support adding another guy, especially when I see service rates for plumbers around here at $80-95.00 an hour!!! It sounds like a BS excuse to me.
Best advice I ever got about running a contracting business and dealing with employees was to treat them the way you would want to be treated if put in the same position. Try sharing that with him.

[tattoobob]

I am waiting to find out what he says tomorrow he is going to call back and find out how much it is going up. or that's what he is telling me. it saddins me to think that I am in work everyday on time and work hard. I wish employers were as faitfull as the employee. it is all about money bottom line. I also figured out that we have 2 dumb ass plumbers helpers thats are going on the insurance and they just turned 18 so now they can drive the Co. trucks this will increase the rates big time. I can go and work anywere, my sons Co is hiring so I will probably go there he works with alot of guys I Know. I will post what happens tomorrow, best thing is lay me off I can do side work and collect and fish. there is no way I am going to start a plumbing buisness I will never fish then.

[BigFish]

Let me know if you need some side work...I need a new spicket installed closer to my garage so I can wash all my gear easier! Also need the old spicket (only one on the house) on the other side of the house replaced as it leaks! Job security!

[tattoobob]

Humm Plugs for plumbing that could work

[labrax]

So he is telling you that the insurance company is going to raise his rates if they keep you as an eligible driver on his policy? How the heck much is he going to see his insurance raters go up that he cannot afford to absorb these costs for a good employee, especially if there is enough work out there so that he needs to take on more employees.

Maybe you are right, and the boss does not want to buy another van and wants to take the one you use. Or, he is bringing in his cousin and his Dad in the office and he is trying to nudge you out the door to keep payroll in check. If he takes away this perk maybe he suspects that you won't want to use your own vehicle and put the miles and wear on that and you might think it is time to move on. Maybe his family is putting pressure on him to bring in the cousin.

I may be way off base and full of it - but unless you are a step 21 in the driving ratings and have a very bad driving history the story doesn't make too much sense. You got a seat belt violation - not a driving to endanger infraction. Instead of telling you the truth (whatever it is) sounds as if he is using the minor driving infraction as a cover story. Managing people is not much fun, but I think we all appreciate being told the truth and actually end up respecting those people more - even if we are told something that we don't want to hear.

Good luck and I hope it works out for you.

FWIW - I know of a guy that has a fleet of 5 transportation vans - once he gets over 5 vehicles he supposedly gets a big break on his insurance rates and some decent discounts at the dealership on new vans.

[tattoobob]

labrax, I think you hit the nail right on the head, and it's what I am thinking to

[gone fishin]

Bob - I got the same bul%$%$%$%$ ticket last year. It doesn't effect your insurance or your driving rating at all. They hand them out to fill a quota and get the dough in the til.
The boss is using that as an excuse to stuff it to you. Why not either screw off til he lays you off or (ouch - I hurt my .... ) and get some comp time on his ticket ! That will really piss him off and he cannot do a thing about it.

[tattoobob]

We had a talk today and I can say that I am getting screwed,
I just got off the phone with my Insurance Co. and there is no way in hell it is something I did. I had the seat belt thing and a speeding ticket 2 yrs ago. other than that nothing for years. I am now looking for a new job.

["uffah!!"]

When you do find another job, go back to your boss the day before you leave, and tell him"Take this job and shovit, I ain't working here no more!!" just like Johnny Paycheck!