Injustice? - My gripe

[Mattds]

I worked for a guy and his brother. I was paid less than minimum wage and worked more hours than I should have. My boss fed me a dream. A dream of better pay and a successful career. I did double the work that i was supposed to, and was pushed physically and emotionally. Eventually the inevitable happened and I injured my back. My boss at first was understanding and I felt like I had let him down I tried and tried to get back to working with him but eventually my boss laid me off.

The injustice I felt was hard to take and many times suicide felt like the only option. When you have devoted your life to someone's business and given all that you can and to be shown the door so easily was devastating. I would have worked for them for nothing, that's how much I believed in their promised land.

I understand that he was running a business and I don't deny that keeping a member of staff on the payroll when they are unable to work is not a desirable position to be in for a businessman, but considering that I was injured as a direct result of working too hard for his company I felt that I was owed some understanding and compassion.

After several months I was contacted by the man I used to work for. He asked if I would work for him again and if I would could I become self employed? I jumped at the opportunity and mistakenly believed that this opportunity would provide me better money with a career. I was working for a better money but was working more hours. I worked for the guy and felt like life was getting back on track. I was now becoming really good at my job and my boss was confident in letting me take on more responsibilities. However after a slip at work I injured my back again exactly in the same place. This time I wasn't paid for the time I had off and suffered financially as a result of this.

With great effort I recovered quite quickly and continued working. Now as I was self employed I was encouraged by my boss to find work on my own and i did. When it came to working or myself I was treated like i had insulted my boss and i got the idea my days were numbered. Eventually one day I was told there was no work for the day after and that was the last time I spoke to my ex boss.

I never wanted to be self employed and enjoyed working for this company. I gained valuable experience in the 4 years I was with them but in the end I was just fed empty promises. With the hours I was working I was earning approximately £4.90 per hour. As a landscape gardener with some good skills it was laughable when I think back.

being used is never a good feeling but hen you have given your all for someone it is even harder

[lutonlagerlout]

I really dont see your point mattds
if you were not happy at work you should have resigned
as a bloke who has been on both sides of the coin, its hard for both parties
but if i didnt like a job or the boss i moved on
if your back is dodgy maybe your better off out of the landscaping game
all the best for 2011
LLL

[seanandruby]

So why were'nt you paying into a private insurance being that you were self employed? If you allow yourself to be used then employers will abuse that. It happens all the time to most of us on here, you just have to put up with it mate. Any income is better than no income in the present climate. I've been in the game about 40 years and injured mostly everything, even so far as working my balls off You could'nt of put your life into it after only 4 years.

[Bob_A]

I'm not in landscaping or construction so can't give advice but I hope your luck turns.
Here's to a better new year

[Suggers]

I think you're being slightly too hard on Matt - hasn't he just poured his heart out - looking for something positive from the BC irregular stalwarts? - neat weird bit of writing Matt -
Personally I'm preparing myself for the next big freeze - in acouple of weeks.
We've gone from Alaska to The Somme...

[seanandruby]

...Hang on whilst i pass the hat around. We are all having hard times, we just don't need reminding on new years eve. It is paving expert not dear Deirdre. I sympathise with you and wish you well and all the best for 2011 mate

[lutonlagerlout]

when i was 15 and too young to legally work i went to an S J Farrow site and worked illegally for a fiver a day in the hand.
god bless old sid if he is still around
anyway my 7.30 till 5.30 job consisted of loading out 9 inch concrete blocks (red dot) and making 25 cups of tea 3 times a day
every night i fell asleep in the van on the way home,through exhaustion (was only 8 stone in those days)

now i could say that sid farrow used me

but i would like to think that i learned how to work and be part of a team,keep my gob shut ,and respect my elders
it was a harsh induction into real life after the softness of school

remember matt, that which does not kill you makes you stronger, you sound quite clued up in the grey matter,you can try and use your experience and move forward now
good luck fella
LLL

[Mattds]

Haha dear Deirdre- like it

Thanks everyone who has looked at my post and replied and thanks for the honesty. I knew by posting on here i would get an honest opinion and clear my head for the New Year.

I suppose looking at it from the other side I can now understand some of the reasons for the hard time that I had. By taking the positives from the experience, the skills I learnt, the work ethic and the harsh reality of knowing that I don't always know best are now ingrained in me, and for that I should be thankful.

Once again thanks for the honesty lads and I hope you all have a productive and lucrative year ahead.

[Mattds]

I think you're being slightly too hard on Matt - hasn't he just poured his heart out - looking for something positive from the BC irregular stalwarts? - neat weird bit of writing Matt -
Personally I'm preparing myself for the next big freeze - in acouple of weeks.
We've gone from Alaska to The Somme...

Haha sorry for the neat weird bit of writing that's the O.C.D kicking in :laugh:

[seanandruby]

That's the ticket matt. "Laugh and the world laughs with you....cry and you cry alone." Next!!! :laugh:

[lutonlagerlout]

fair play matt you took it on the chin
onwards and upwards
this time next year we will all be milyonares rodney!!
LLL

[skinny]

If you are now self employed then £4.90 an hour will seem good some times.