OT- Opinions re Work problem......

[iluvwesties]

Hi Everyone,

I would love anyone's opinion regarding the latest thing that has come up at my workplace......

A brief background for you all is that I work in a Dental Office as the receptionist/office admin and I have done the job for 8 years. I book the appointments, deal with insurance companies, do the banking,as well as many other "duties" my boss feels he wants to throw my way.

I usually work the following hours each week:
Mon, Tues, Wed and Thurs from 9 - 2 & Fri from 9 - 1
I also work on Saturday's from 9 - 3.

When the afternoon receptionist doesn't work I have to do her hours also (Tuesdays to 8pm and Thursdays to 6pm) Which is sometimes a problem for me.

My boss has decided to register himself for an educational course in downtown Toronto on Friday November 4th and has announced that he expects myself and the dental assistant to accompany him. He will pay the registration fee for the course for all of us (he gets a discount if he registers 4 people, so he is including his wife as the 4th person).

The course lasts from 9 - 4:30pm.

He has also said that he will NOT pay for our time, only for the course.

So, not only am I losing 4 hours of pay on November 4th, but I also have to pay for the GO train to get to the course and my time will not be compensated. The course is of no interest to me. He only registered me because it gets him a discount.

How do I say "No Thank you" ?

I have a son in school who has a medical problem and needs to have Meds when he gets home from school every day and he has no way of getting home if I do not pick him up. On the days when I have to work for the afternoon receptionist, I take my lunch later, so that I can pick up my son, get him home and make sure he has had his meds before I go back to work.

B-T-W, The afternoon receptionist is going to a wedding in the evening of November 4th and also has small kids in school, so she has told him she is not able to go either (that's why he has registered his wife as the 4th person)

Any idea's as to what I should do?

iluvwesties (aka Carol)

 

[slapwhitey]

I would definitely take advantage of the situation. Any kind of education, especially free, is always worth it. The minimal sacrifices to be made could very well benefit you in the future. Even if the course is of little interest it could go a long way when it comes to future employment. I'm assuming you wouldn't get paid for the day regardless as the office would most likely be closed. I say go with an open mind and you might be surprised how much you'll get out of it.

 

[Meagan]

How do I say "No Thank you" ?

I think you answered your own question.....
I'd tell him....
"I have a son in school who has a medical problem and needs to have Meds when he gets home from school every day and he has no way of getting home if I do not pick him up. On the days when I have to work for the afternoon receptionist, I take my lunch later, so that I can pick up my son, get him home and make sure he has had his meds before I go back to work."

I don't know how paying for four people with a discount as opposed to just himself would be cheaper though. Must be one heckuva discount

I'd also tell him "Sorry I cannot afford to travel into Toronto, pay for meals, GO train, parking etc., plus its is of no benefit to my job.

Good luck,

Meags

 

[usetheforceluke]

he has no way of getting home if I do not pick him up.

Is The Boss aware of this? If he is, then it's entirely plausible that the 'arrangement' that you made to get your son home on that particular day backed out at the last moment, and you just can't find an alternative; you're most upset at having to miss the training, but you tried.

On the other hand, I'd have to label this one as 'taking one for the team', regardless of whether or not you're being paid for it, especially if you like working there and the people you work with. If you really can't get out of it, go. Make a good show of faking enthusiasm and enjoy the free lunch (if there is one). At the earliest possible time, leave and go home.

While I don't necessarily condone his method, if you're faced with the option of saying no, and possibly not getting that paycheque, or attending the seminar and continuing to work there, I'd think that the decision wouldn't be too hard to figure out.

 

[iluvwesties]

Thank you slapwhitey, meags & usetheforceluke

I appreciate your responses.

The idea that I go for at least the morning appeals to me as this way I can show to my boss that I am willing to participate for a portion of the day, but that my obligations regarding my son will not be affected by my attendance while he is in school

I still feel that I should be paid for my time, but that is another issue

I love these boards, you guys are great

Thanks again,
iluvwesties (aka Carol)

 

[matsterrocks]

Of course you should be paid. He makes enough money I'm sure he can afford a days wages for you to go. You are valuable to the clinic. Is the course something that would benifit your life anywhere other then work? If not then I wouldn't go unless you get paid.

 

[dandee00]

Hi Carol
Check your provincial labor laws, or call Employment Insurance to find out if he LEGALLy has to pay you your time for taking this course. If so, get a photocopy of the legislation and leave it on his desk...or...say no. Since he's not paying for you to take the course, I wouldn't feel obligated to go. However, if he does pay for your time to go, well I guess you'll have to go.
Let us know how it turns out.

And Good Luck!

 

[iluvwesties]

dandee00 and matsterrocks,

Thanks for your responses.

I was actually thinking the same thing, that I should call the Labour Board and find out what my rights are

I'll keep you posted!!!

Thanks again,

iluvwesties (aka Carol)

 

[iluvwesties]

I don't know how paying for four people with a discount as opposed to just himself would be cheaper though. Must be one heckuva discount

Hi Meags, Just a response to your question about how he gets a discount.....

He is allowed to bring members of staff for free, he just pays for himself, but because this is a convention type outing with many courses being offered, they are offering dentists a 15% discount if they bring 4 staff members.

I guess they figure that some staff members are also purchasers of dental supplies and there will be dental supply companies at the convention also.

Hope this explains why he wants us all to go at no cost (for us to attend) to him. Plus, he has said he isn't going to pay any wages or travel expenses, but of course, he will benefit from any additional "training" we may get out of the courses being offered

B-T-W, He orders his own supplies.

From what I understand from the Labour Board (I called them today)
He should be paying us wages and expenses as he is making it a mandatory excursion that we attend.

The hard thing now, is to explain this to him

iluvwesties (aka Carol)

 

[dandee00]

From what I understand from the Labour Board (I called them today)
He should be paying us wages and expenses as he is making it a mandatory excursion that we attend.

The hard thing now, is to explain this to him

iluvwesties (aka Carol)

Hi Carol
You should not have to be the one to explain this to him. Call EI and ask them how to go about this...or call a labor lawyer and ask them...or have someone send him an e-mail...or mail a copy of this part of the law to him.

If you really don't wnat to go to this "seminar" use it as a way not to go. Tell him a labor lawyer friend of yours told you it wasn't mandatory for you to go because he wasn't paying you and has to pay you. Tell him you were having lunch with them and had told your lawyer friend about this upcoming seminar.

 

[iluvwesties]

Hi dandee00,

Thanks for your idea. I will call the Labour Board again on Monday and see if they can help deal with the issue.

B-T-W, I noticed your countdown ticker and it looks as though we will be passing at WDW. I will be there Feb 10-18 and I'm guessing that you will be there late Jan/06?

Too bad, It would have been nice to meet you...

Take care and Thanks again for your help

iluvwesties (aka Carol)

 

[seashoreCM]

If you left the course mid-day to take care of your son, you have still been marked as present at the course. (Of course you will have missed out on the afternoon's education.)

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[iluvwesties]

Hi seashoreCM,

I agree, this would work for me, as I could then be home in time for when my son gets out of school and still be marked in attendence for the morning

Now, all I have to do is convince my boss that my time should be paid for.

Hopefully, the Labour Board will help with that issue.

Thanks

iluvwesties (aka Carol)

 

[dandee00]

Hi dandee00,

Thanks for your idea. I will call the Labour Board again on Monday and see if they can help deal with the issue.

B-T-W, I noticed your countdown ticker and it looks as though we will be passing at WDW. I will be there Feb 10-18 and I'm guessing that you will be there late Jan/06?

Too bad, It would have been nice to meet you...

Take care and Thanks again for your help

iluvwesties (aka Carol)

Hi Carol
I hope the Labor Board will be able to help. If you have any questions or need other ideas, pm me.

DH and I will be at Disney from Jan 12th to Jan 31st. We are driving and leaving on Jan 5th. We are planning to take our time driving. We are also going to Titusville for a Rocket Launch and do some shopping before going on site.
It would have been great meeting you too!
Maybe we'll meet later in the year or in 2007. I haven't even got to Disney on my first trip and already I'm looking at trip #2.
Take care and the best of luck to you.

 

[mc'smommy]

Hi there
as a small business employer, I can tell you a few things,
Your boss can demand you attend this training as part of your job BUT, If it is not in your WRITTEN job description he cannot force you to go. If he does get you to go he must pay you for the hours you attend as well as the conference itself.. He does not have to pay your transportation though. or for the hours it takes you to get there or return home.

Do call the labour board and double check with them, or check the website.
The labour board is very into job descriptions and job agreements being written lately.. I guess to benefit all employees.

If you don't want to attend becasue of your family obligation let your boss kow immediately.

Good Luck and I will wait to hear the outcome

 

[iluvwesties]

Hi there
as a small business employer, I can tell you a few things,
Your boss can demand you attend this training as part of your job BUT, If it is not in your WRITTEN job description he cannot force you to go. If he does get you to go he must pay you for the hours you attend as well as the conference itself.. He does not have to pay your transportation though. or for the hours it takes you to get there or return home.

Do call the labour board and double check with them, or check the website.
The labour board is very into job descriptions and job agreements being written lately.. I guess to benefit all employees.

If you don't want to attend becasue of your family obligation let your boss kow immediately.

Good Luck and I will wait to hear the outcome

Hi mc'smommy,

Thank you for your information. Just a couple of things to add here......

My Boss pays by the hour, there is no written agreement even though I have worked for him for 8 years. I have no benefits whatsoever (even have to pay for my own and my familys dental work ) and my boss is aware about my son's problem and what I have to do regarding the meds for a long time.

The Labour board person I spoke to seemed to think that I was entitled to travel expenses including travel time but I will call again today and check it out with them.

At this point in time, I am actually thinking of moving on from my current position, I feel I am "on call" too much, have not had a pay raise in 2 years and even though I am the one responsible for bringing business into the office so that my boss makes a good income, I feel I am not being appreciated or valued for that responsibility (lack of pay raise or benefits)

The lack of increase in my salary is a big factor at this time, I have recently learned that other people in similar positions in this area are earning $5-7 per hour MORE than I am I have asked for a raise, but am told that he may consider it.

The only reason I am still there is the convenience of being close to home should I have an emergency arise with my son (which has never happened yet)

His yearly billings are in excess of $500,000 and he operates on a 60/40%
He takes 60% as his salary and 40% is his cost to run the practice.

Anyway, Thanks again for everyone's help and advise.
I will keep you all posted...........
iluvwesties (aka Carol)

 

[iluvwesties]

Hi Everyone,

I want to thank all who replied to this thread, you are all a wonderful group of caring people

Today, my boss announced that he has decided that he and the rest of us will not be attending the course on November 4th.

The reason....... he feels that it is more important to continue working on that day

(I am wondering if he has discovered that he would have to pay wages on a non-productive day )

Anyway, for now it works for me

Thank you all again!!!!!

 

[dandee00]

Hi Everyone,

I want to thank all who replied to this thread, you are all a wonderful group of caring people

Today, my boss announced that he has decided that he and the rest of us will not be attending the course on November 4th.

The reason....... he feels that it is more important to continue working on that day

(I am wondering if he has discovered that he would have to pay wages on a non-productive day )

Anyway, for now it works for me

Thank you all again!!!!!

Carol,
Glad to hear this worked out well for you.
Good luck in looking around for another position.
Oh, and just as a point of interest the labor laws in each province can be different.

 

[Figment's friends]

I think I would mention the raise again, AND start putting out resumes. No benefits? That is not a good deal, most companies pay you MORE MONEY if you have no benefits. Good Luck, Tabs

 

[iluvwesties]

Thanks dandee00 and Figment's friends,

I have updated and started putting out my resume and am hoping that something will come of it in the near future.

I did ask again for a raise and I got..........0.75 per hour
(oh well, something is better than nothing I suppose) but it is still nowhere near what other dental offices are paying for the position I'm in (I run the office). This just about covers the increase in GAS I've been paying since the gas prices starting rising.

Thanks again for your concern all your best wishes

iluvwesties (aka Carol)