Posted: Fri Dec 31, 2010 3:56 pm
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
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
You could'nt of put your life into it after only 4 years.
