| Author | Message | ||
     Bomber |
again, lots of companies are going that direction (not sayin I like it, but it's true nontheless) . . . employment practices are getting weird, sspecially with smaller companies . . . most seem to think they can out-legal ex-employees, while the big employers know that an angry ex-employee can find a lwayer who's willing to wait years, if necessary, for a settlement from a depp-pockets company . . . it's a shame, definately, but becoming more and more common | ||
| Mikej |
I wouldn't have a major issue with a PTO program if it was fair and equitably applied. One person I know locally works for a PTO type of company, first year on the job you get two weeks of PTO plus one week additional designated as "vacation" allowance, plus the semi-standard 10-paid-holidays per year, all factored into the PTO program. So your Christmas day off comes out of the PTO bucket just as if it were a sick day or vacation day, all the allowed time-off comes out of one fiscal accounting bucket account. But here with this new policy there is no defined precise number of allowable sick days. And being a foreign owned subsidiary the legal issues get complex really fast. Plus they sometimes seem to just flat not care if someone leaves or stays. No problem, I'm the only one here who can do what I do, and I've been telling them we need at least minimal redundancy for when I'm on vacation for several years now, so I'm clear if and when I leave. PTO programs in and of themselves are not really a problem. But here it is not that type of program. | ||
| Nevco1 |
I like the PTO concept. Is an effective way to track and control earned wages/salaries without messing with the actual paycheck. Should be welcomed for those on a budget with mortgages, direct deposits and garnishments. I am not clear on how the concept is applied locally and imagine it is a bit of an accounting nightmare. I can imagine two programs, one for salaried and another for hourly employees. My personal reason for liking it is that it really makes life easy for the "Working Mom's." We didn't have it and the Mom's that worked for me had to use up their sick days and vacation time to care for their sick children. Later, when the Mom's got sick, they didn't have any time on the books to take off and get well. Instead, they came to work and infected everyone else. Translation: No PTO system resulted in a "Sick Building" and had a negative effect on productivity in a small company. It got so bad that I implemented a "Comp Time" program so they could go home, get well and then make up the time at their convenience over the next few weeks. Works in a small company but would be a real nightmare in a large corporation. One of my friends had a major problem with Working Mom's and Day Care. It got so bad that he leased the adjoining building and started a Montessori School. It was an employee benefit and he also took in local kids as well. The School itself was a loss, but it put his primary business light years ahead concerning productivity. Oh well...With the dwindling job market in the Milwaukee area, if you don't like your program, quit your job and give my resume to your former employer on the way out the door!!! | ||
| Cj_xb |
first year on the job you get two weeks of PTO plus one week additional designated as "vacation" allowance, plus the semi-standard 10-paid-holidays per year, all factored into the PTO program. Yeah, well our small business PTO may be applied fair and equitably, but I'd like it better if it was more like your example above, no joke we have two weeks ONLY, so anytime taken off for Dr. Visits, dentist, waiting for repair man at home, etc. etc. comes out of that two weeks, where you figuring any real vacation time !! Also since it's accrued monthly, my first year I had to actually be here an entire year to get two weeks, so really the first year I had nothing !! Semi-standard holidays, hahahaha and you wonder why I'm always here on holidays posting, we get exactly 5 days, Christmas (not Christmas eve), Thanksgiving, (not the day after) New Year's Day (not eve) July 4th, and Labor Day, that's IT !!!! Come work with me !! CJ  | ||
| Nevco1 |
Also since it's accrued monthly, my first year I had to actually be here an entire year to get two weeks, so really the first year I had nothing !! That Stinks!!! PTO should be available in full from Day 1 and Vacation Time accrued monthly. | ||
| Mikej |
CJ, Word is accounting and fiscal book work may be on the upswing with the new year. I was a business major before switching to something I found more interesting. When I hired on here I was given in writing 10 days paid sick leave, plus the holidays and vacation time. Within 5 months of my hire date my sick leave became 3-days in January and February with one additional day accrued each two months thereafter through December. Now it is something undefined. No wonder 4 out of 5 people I talk to here are saying they're leaving as soon as something else comes along, and several are actively looking out of state, one has put their house up for sale pending a hopeful offer elsewhere, and these are all critical people needed by the company to meet demands and requirements and are not easily replaced (steep learning curve in this industry for some disciplines). | ||
| Cj_xb |
Yep, I know it sucks mikej, but if misery loves company just wanted you to know you aren't ALONE !! CJ | ||
| Mikej |
This ain't misery, somebody just cross-plumbed the urinal drain with the water cooler inlet is all.  Interesting side notes: The more Dilbert cartoons and artifacts one finds in an office environment the more problems there are. You can do a time chart to see this, and there is a direct correlation between incidence of Dilbert occurrence and turnover rates. The more disgruntled employees become the higher the use of paper towels and other disposable items will become. You can do a time chart on this one too. I think Homer Simpson is beginning to replace Dilbert though. I have no idea what this transition really means, but it can't be anything good.   | ||
| Bomber |
American Biz is still trying to define itself in the post dot.com bust time frame . . . .as employers struggle to be a profitable as they can (differently defined in different industries, to be sure)(and defined by some as simply keeping the doors open), they try all sorts of hairbrained things to save dough . . . . I'm not agreeing with the tack Mike's joint is taking, just putting into context . . . it wsounds to me like the management/owners of the company are: 1. trying to imrpove the balance sheet to attract a buyer, 2. fiddling with things to keep the numbers up a little (I can't believe that this benefit change is going to impact either productivity or profitability nearly as much as the negative vibes generated, leading to people leaving), or, 3. panicing any of which is certainly good data -- helps one decide on one's short-term plans . . .. for me, panicing is never a good thing in one's leaders (business or otherwise) | ||
| Mikej |
Interesting observations, and somewhat in line with some things I've observed. And there is more that I've observed that I can't post about but in parallel with other firms I've worked for in the past prior to events coming to pass at those firms. Yes in deed the balloon is aloft and the pigeons have been set free. Or not. But maybe so. | ||
| Dynarider |
Be lucky you have any paid time off for sickness or whatever. For the last 16 years the companies I have worked at give us vacation time..I used to have 4 weeks worth..but unless you were a suit at the company thats all you got. Illinois & Wisconsin are both "at will" states. Basically a company can reduce your benefits, fire you, etc for just about any reason at any time & you have no recourse. Obviously they cant break federal laws regarding discrimination, but those are easily gotten around. You have 4 choices. #1. Quit if you dont like your present situation. #2. Find a company that has a long history of treating their employees fairly & attempt to get a job with them. #3. Get a job in a union environment, although more & more work places are breaking unions up. #4. Suck it up & be thankful you arent one of the millions who have lost good paying jobs over the last couple years. | ||
| Mikej |
100% in full agreement. Even though I've been burned in Union shops before too while a member of said union. Guess no job is perfect. Dyna, Are both the little ones back home and healthy now? | ||
| Dynarider |
Yes both are home. The 13 month old is still a touch sick & has a cough, but overall he's doing well. New baby is so tiny compared to him. Cant wait till he gets older, newborns are cute but they are boring as all hell. Do nothing but lay there, eat & poop. Lots more fun when they start running around & talking. | ||
| Mikej |
Yep, later on they'll be running around like crazy, but still eatin' and poopin'. Glad things are well down there and getting better. | ||
| Doughnut |
"Do nothing but lay there, eat & poop." Sounds like a good life to me.  | ||
| Nevco1 |
Add a little outdoor activity and you could have described a DOG. | ||
| Blastin |
In my next life I would like to come back as a well cared for house dog. It doesn't get much better than that!!! | ||
| Mikej |
Bomber, What do you think of this one? (I forget where the other discussion is.) http://www.hotrodsonline.com/Content/donut02/slides/0004.html | ||
| Blastin |
Dullorb- you have mail Don't forget everyone, Meeting next week Thursday January 8th Be sure your in the door before 7p.m. Jerry | ||
| Mikej |
Do we get a door prize if we ride in (if the weather cooperates)? |
