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Posted Dec 11, 2002 by Buzz Lightyear: Getting Ever Warmer
Now, I'm not usually one to complain (this might be part of the problem  ) but...constantly do I find myself playing the role of performing monkey ("Jack-of-all-Trades, Master of None!"  I  u, munkee!! ) to my Supreme Overlords who have the courage & sheer infelicitousness to want to employ me. Getting whipped & prodded to do such things from putting the kettle on for me superiors (doesn't fit usually!! ) or emptying out the bins, fetching  stationary for them, washing-up, cleaning-up & alas! being a general dogsbody.  Now I don't like to moan & usually will happily do as I'm told (Just grateful for the job usually, but I'm sure I ain't the only one who feels the iron fist of the capitalist drudgery!) per'aps realizing that I should be more shrewd in the jobs I choose, but resign meself to the fact that I am young & need the experience.  Yet how long can this "experience" continue? It doesn't seem to matter how much I plough on or continue in education, I always seem to end up in that job that goes nowhere & nobody else will take.  I believe this is the employment system sifting through the applicants, plucking the best out & leaving the rest o' us to gather what's left. Meritocracy? Mind you, considering, I've probably got it made compared to some from yesteryear (as well as even today): working a twelve-hour day in factories & downt mines with few labour laws for nowt but pittance of a wage, coming back to a cold & dirty home with yesterday's leftovers for supper before rising @ 5am to do it all again until you get right up to today's workers in MacDonalds (I can't see how such a job in fast-food places can be very interesting after, say, about a week!). I don't mean to moan honest, but where's the window of opportunity here?!
Although, on the positive side o' things, the working-class people should feel quite proud that they have the stamina & working-ethos to keep plugging away in what could be described as a "dead-end" job! This culture has quite often created a bonhomie with a regard, respect & admiration of society for the grafters of this world (or rather, what should be there!). Without you, where would we be? There'd probably be no Coronation Street for a start! Rubbish piling high in the streets!! Respect!!  I salute you!! I feel better for that. Although, to be quite frank, I never seem to be in such useful jobs!!
Yet, alas! One is only left to sigh & lament that, "the Capitalist System is oiled by the blood of the workers." 
Have an  on me to drown those sorrows!
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Posted Dec 17, 2002 by McKay The Disorganised
At the end of day if you can look back and say "I did my best." Then that should provide some satisfaction. 
If you feel you are unappreciated by your current manager, then tell him that you feel the work you do is not appreciated and that you are seeking an increase in remuneration. IN WRITING.
When he says no - ask him to give his reasons, IN WRITING. If you feel these reasons are valid - then end of story.
If you feel they are not valid then ask him to re-consider the particular points, IN WRITING. If he refuses or maintains it then you have a breakdown in communication which can only be resolved through a third party, either the personell department or his boss. You should send the previous communications to one of these parties - KEEPING THE ORIGINALS.
Should they back your boss - then leave. At job interviews show your documentation and explain why you feel this leaves you no choice but to seek new employment.
Should they back you, then your boss is obviously unfit for his job, and you have revealed it to his management. You are in for a difficult time, however in your contract of employment will be a phrase something along the lines of -- may be asked to perform other tasks, commensurate with the grade or position. This is his get out for asking you to make tea, empty bins or whatever. However it is also your get out to say no. You will probably have to perform the action the first time you are asked but afterwards express, IN WRITING, why you feel the action to be inappropriate to your position. You can see where we're going here I'm sure. Eventually you will have a case for either effective dismissal or discrimination, however the critical words here are IN WRITING.
Perhaps I should add here I am a middle manager, and should a member of my staff send me a mail or hand me the letter described at the start I would only have 2 choices. If I felt the letter was in some ways justified, I would talk to the staff member saying I had noted his concerns and that I would keep his letter for 1 month. At the end of that time we would re-discuss how he felt about his position. (Notice I would avoid answering in writing immediately.) If a month later he still felt the same then I wouild reply to his points - in writing - then ask him to consider his position. If on the other hand I felt that none of his complaints were justified I would immediately reply, in writing, that I was conducting an immediate appraisal of him and get my complaints in writing.
The main thing to note is that I will only commit in writing what I am confident cannot come back to haunt me. Your manager will be the same - if he's any good. (Though it sounds like he isn't.)
Writing out your complaints will enable you to consider if they are petty, or imaginary.
Its up to you.
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