advice on new job

advice on new job

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I accepted a job offer of Plant Accountant in October. I am studying Cima intermediate at present and during my interview I stated I was receiving full study support from my previous employer with exam fees, courses, subscriptions etc being paid by the employer, which they said they could do also. When asked what salary I was looking for I stated £17k to £18k. The job entailed setting up accounts sytems, files etc at this site and would be a stand alone role for a couple of months until the accounts role would be transferred from a northern site which would be a challenge but thought it would be good experience for me. There would be some overtime expected at month end which would not be paid but I could accept working a few hours extra at month end but so far I have worked 39 hours overtime in 5 weeks which I won't be paid for,my salary is £16500, my boss has informed me that the company will pay half my study fees and the other half when I pass exams, I have had 3days of training on the computer system and nothing since, my new accounts payable clerk is the receptionist who has never worked in accounts before or used the computer system which means most of my time is spent showing her what to do, dealing with suppliers etc. I feel like I was completely led astray during my interview and lied to, I don't know whether to call it and day look elsewhere or make it clear that I am unhappy with the current situation. How shall I resolve this?
marie

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By Accounting WEB
10th Dec 2001 00:19

a few more details
On the face of it you some to have been unfairly treated.
However, some matters need to be considered further.
At the interview you stated you were receivng full study support. They said they COULD do also. Did they not say they WOULD provide the same study package? If they did, have you got this in writing?
You said you wand a salary of 17-18. Why then did you accept the position when they only offered 16.5?
You seem to be a little bit gullible and they are taking advantage of you big time. Why on earth would you do 39 hours unpaid overtime?
You need to resolve these issues forthwith. Go and see the boss first thing and explain that you are very unhappy with the current situation. If this does not do any good then I would tell them to stick their job where the sun doesn't shine.
Even if they offered to change things slightly i would move on. I am not going to say what I think of people like this as there may be young trainee accountants under 18 reading this.

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By User deleted
10th Dec 2001 09:42

Will I be Happy, Will I be Sad
This happened to me once.
But for the opposite reason.
I was promised work that would have expanded my experience - but it didn't happen. And there was not enough work for 2 days a week let alone 5 days!

I realised this after a few weeks, but decided I had to stay a year before leaving, to make it look acceptable on a CV.

For me that was my big mistake.
I hated every day of that year.

My advise, is to ask yourselve 'Will I be happy if I stay'. If not, resign immediately and seek another job.
Have confidence in yourself and your own abilities.

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By neileg
10th Dec 2001 09:45

Documents
It seems like you have so far failed to get things in writing. I guess you have not had an offer letter, or a written statement of terms (contract of employment).

If my suppositions are correct, now is the time to start documenting things. First write down your recollection of every aspect of your discussions with the firm, with dates, and notes of who was party/witness to the discussion. If it all goes pear shaped, the better your notes the easier your corner will be to fight.

If the company has a formal grievance procedure, then invoke it. Alternatively, I would request a formal meeting with your boss, plus the personnel manager or MD or whoever might fulfil that role. Prepare a summary of the terms you believed you were employed on, and how the true terms have differed from this. Attend the meeting with a supporter, colleague, relative etc. Present your written summary and hope for the best.

If your job was obtained through an agency, contact them. The better ones are keen on supporting employees in the early part of their employment.

At the same time, start looking for another job! Good luck!

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By AnonymousUser
10th Dec 2001 15:41

Practice versus theory!
I sympathise very much with your situation and can imagine your no doubt increasing frustration.
Given the real world in which we live, however, I think that a pragmatic rather than a strictly "personnel" type approach (if I may call it this)is perhaps the best way forward.

I would therefore suggest you ask your boss if you can discuss the various matters you mentioned at an informal meeting. I suggest you adopt a conciliatory rather than aggressive posture albeit a firm one.

I suspect he/she may change matters but if you feel that he/she still insists on breaking what you feel was your understanding of the job then, rather than getting bogged down in internal formal procedures etc, I would accept that perhaps the move was a mistake and look for another job putting it down to experience.

Not perhaps the most idealistic advice but possibly(?) the most pragmatic!!

Best of luck.

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