Do I, Or Don't I?? Job Advice.

[sprogthedog]

I've been working in a small garage for the last 3 years, it's only me and the boss (who is also a friend of mine).

The money isn't great, but I get some benefits which help with that.

I pretty much do everything from answering the phone, ordering parts to diagnosis and repairs on all sorts of cars and vans.

Was farting about on the internet earlier, and for some reason ended up on the AA website.
They are looking for roadside technicians in my area, and the money is quite attractive, plus a van, tools and training.


I'm not unhappy in my current job, but the chance of trebling my wage would be nice.

Thoughts, ladies and gentlemen.

[DoctorX]

Apply for the job, see if you are successful then decide?

[Speed addicted]

Treble the cash? Why are you even asking?

[bitchstewie]

I would be finding out what I could about the AA as an employer.

Small shops have their issues but so do national employers too.

Try and find out things like if your shift finishes at 6pm what happens if a call comes in at 5.50pm or what happens if you're at a job at 6pm and so on.

[paolow]

As above - it sounds like a win win. Apply and go from there.

[Valgar]

Ask your boss for a rise?

Treble your money does sound a lot better, even if the job is a bit iffy the wages would help negate that.

[INWB]

See if you get the job or.......

If you want to go places then here is an idea. Why not discuss with the boss/owner about being a part of the business rather than just an employee and that you would like to expand. I had a local mechanic. He is well known in town for being one of the best. I have been at him that his hourly rate was WAY too low. He hadn't increased it in a decade. After many discussions he finally put it up. Substantially. Guess what? Business has improved.

If the garage is trusted then you can grow.

Justa thought

[sprogthedog]

Ok, bit of a back story.

Boss started the garage 3 years ago after being made redundant from his previous job running a big MOT/repair centre.

I started helping him out as we are mates, and I had the spare time.


Fast forward 3 years the garage is growing, I'm fully employed but he can only pay me a certain amount.
He does however insure my cars under the garage policy and let me have a modest account with the Snap-On man that he covers.

I don't need to leave, and he doesn't want a business partner, but I know I could do the AA job easily.

[INWB]

Okay - so why not set up yourself? Mobile workshop to start with. Client base and away you go.

[rog007]

sprogthedog said:

...the garage is growing, ...but he can only pay me a certain amount.

We can all only be paid 'a certain amount'! That amount is usually what we are worth to the business. If you're not worth that much to the business then he may be right to suppress your salary. If on the other hand...

[wolf1]

I'll throw my hat into the ring as I have first hand experience having previously worked for the AA then left and now run my own garage. At the moment the AA are recruiting as staff turnover is high due to quite a lot of changes to company policy and employees contracts and pensions within the last decade. The pressure on staff especially roadside patrols is higher than it has ever been with area managers constantly over pressurising patrols for things out of their control. The new starters are only on a fraction of what the existing staff are paid and the commitment required to attain decent levels of pay are very long hours and sacrificing a substantial amount of your time off on standby or overtime.

There is a certain amount or paranoia from patrols concerning the amount they are scrutinised and micro managed regarding performance and sales. Most can be expected when in reality you will be out on your own and don't see any other patrols for weeks etc.

I would advise you find as many different patrols to chat to as you can as all viewpoints will vary. See if you can join one of the AA patrol forums etc and ask whatever questions that come to mind, one is http://aa-patrols.forumotion.co.uk/

For me even though I was topping out around 50k a year (very unlikely on the new contract) the hours were crap, the backup from the management was crap, the working conditions were crap and the final straw was when the company raped the pension fund by failing to pay into it properly creating a massive deficit which we the workforce were expected to plug by increased contributions and extra sales.

Sorry if my veiwpoint comes across a tad jaded. Take the time and get as much info as you can before you make the decision to jump ship or not.

[elanfan]

I'd to your boss again over a pint. Explain you have ambitions and need to earn more, explain that together you could grow the business together into a bigger operation perhaps with your own premises and more employees.

If he doesn't want to listen I reckon you're better off doing a business plan, go see a bank and set up your own business. No relying on anyone else for your earnings and you could be building a very nice asset for yourself too.

[bitchstewie]

wolf1 said:

I'll throw my hat into the ring as I have first hand experience having previously worked for the AA then left and now run my own garage. At the moment the AA are recruiting as staff turnover is high due to quite a lot of changes to company policy and employees contracts and pensions within the last decade. The pressure on staff especially roadside patrols is higher than it has ever been with area managers constantly over pressurising patrols for things out of their control. The new starters are only on a fraction of what the existing staff are paid and the commitment required to attain decent levels of pay are very long hours and sacrificing a substantial amount of your time off on standby or overtime.

There is a certain amount or paranoia from patrols concerning the amount they are scrutinised and micro managed regarding performance and sales. Most can be expected when in reality you will be out on your own and don't see any other patrols for weeks etc.

I would advise you find as many different patrols to chat to as you can as all viewpoints will vary. See if you can join one of the AA patrol forums etc and ask whatever questions that come to mind, one is http://aa-patrols.forumotion.co.uk/

For me even though I was topping out around 50k a year (very unlikely on the new contract) the hours were crap, the backup from the management was crap, the working conditions were crap and the final straw was when the company raped the pension fund by failing to pay into it properly creating a massive deficit which we the workforce were expected to plug by increased contributions and extra sales.

Sorry if my veiwpoint comes across a tad jaded. Take the time and get as much info as you can before you make the decision to jump ship or not.

That's an interesting read and kind of what I was driving at earlier.

There are jobs where you could pay me a very healthy salary but I just wouldn't want the aggro.

[creampuff]

sprogthedog said:

I'm not unhappy in my current job, but the chance of trebling my wage would be nice.

No brainer. New job time.

[Jasandjules]

What have you got to lose in applying? And what have you got to gain? Seems like a no brainer at this point.

[sprogthedog]

Thanks for the replies, especially Wolf1.

I've applied, so we'll what happens.