Frasbee

So it hasn't even been a month since the commercial company let me go, and they let me know even then that they wanted me back soon.

I wasn't going to wait around for them, so I got a job working for a guy doing residential and hoping to focus on solar and other alternatives in the future.

So the commercial calls me back today offering me my job back, and told me it wouldn't be considered loss time when I inquired about a raise. I know some of you came down on me for expecting a raise, but I'm making the same amount with this guy as I did them. They didn't make any promises on the raise, but simply that they would perform an annual review when the time came.

At the end of today I let my new boss (residential), about them wanting me back, because all-in-all, I prefer commercial. I was simply going to put in my 2 weeks starting tomorrow, but he asked me how much they were offering, and if I had it in writing. I told him no, though they typically raise their helpers 2 dollars if they get a good review every year. So he says that he's been working on getting workman's comp and that he's been planning on giving me a raise soon, and 14 is definitely doable.

On the flip side the commercial job has 2 prevailing wage jobs going (no guarantee I'll get on them), and a school as well.

Back on the other side, he has plenty of work as well, and he was just estimating a house today. About a week ago, he gave me the keys to his house (one of his projects) and let me continue working on my own, on that note, he told me he trusts me enough that he was looking to put me in a minor supervisory position once I'm competent enough with residential. So it sounds like he wants to keep me.

So now I'm torn.

To break it down:

Both jobs have work.

Both jobs are at least insinuating that a 2 dollar raise is not out of the question. (Need to get it in writing?)

Both jobs offer plenty of learning opportunities, (I'm just starting my 2nd year in the trade).

The residential is offering more responsibility and growth in the future, sooner.

The commercial job is offering paid vacation time and holidays (new).

I started with commercial so I have a better understanding of the work and I'm well equipped with tools to do so. Plus, I'm still trying to perfect my pipe bending skills.

I honestly didn't expect my new boss to try persuade me to keep working for him. Then again, he's only one guy at the moment.

Any advice?

MDShunk

Let me get this straight... your present boss (resi work) is working on getting workman's comp so that he can give you a raise? And he's interested in giving a 2nd year a supervisory position? He does not have an effective business model in place. Not sure how the other guys (commercial) stack up on the business end, though.

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Frasbee

I know, this guy is ragtag, he's literally just starting out. He wasn't even taking out all the proper taxes when I started.

The supervisory positions I'm referring to would be little more than leaving me be at the site with a laborer doing demo and running wire.

The other job definitely has their stuff together, warehouse, office, though, they're pretty new to all of this as well. They just started getting the supervisor's company trucks, and as I mentioned, paid vacation and holidays are new too.

MDShunk

This is a tough one. Is the resi guy really-really smart? That is, do you think he has the ability to teach you everything you need to know about the resi end of things and running service calls?

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JohnJ0906

I find the statement I highlighted to be a grave concern.

What would happen if you got hurt now?

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John from Baltimore
"One day at a Time"
All responses based on the '08 NEC
It's not my fault, it's not my problem, I'm not your solution.

drsparky

Get a signed contract.

__________________
"Whatever is felt is within suffering."

bobelectric

Don.t work for a company without w.c. Accidents happen,real fast.And at your age,a rotator shoulder injury would put you out for life.

Shaffer87

Your going to be getting 14 an hour first year?

bobelectric

Is that good?

Frasbee

I have my own insurance, but yeah, he's so new that he's still trying to get all the standard **** together. He was just down at city hall today.

Anyway, I'm technically a 2nd year. This past February was my first year anniversary in the electrical trade. Love it or hate it, it doesn't matter, the fact is, I'm looking at the possibility of a raise regardless. However, I believe I need to get it in writing from either. The commercial company didn't want to promise anything when I spoke to them. I'm not faulting them for that either.

bobelectric

This gets us back to the Advantage of "Union vs. nonunion" Debate.

Frasbee

Dear god, please spare my thread!

220/221

That's as far as I read.

You will be better off with a legitimate company.

If Ragtag Electric is taking taxes out of your check, I can gaurantee he is not filing and paying them to the IRS.

Run away.

bobelectric

You started it.Run it up to 100 posts,and make a choice to your next 38 years.

Frasbee

I don't know, there's things about this guy that would lead me to believe otherwise. He's a bit unorthodox...like the kind of guy that believes in karma and ****. He literally lives above some kind of asian temple. And he's kept me working 5 days a week (at my request) even though when he hired me he said he couldn't guarantee more than 3 or 4 because he's always trying to do 50 things at once.

His company name and license number all check out (I researched).

paul d.

220/221 is right. go with the REAL co. but dont burn the bridge.

rlc3854

Brother go back to the commerical company, go to school, work and train hard. See if your current employer will let you work weekends/after hours. This will help him and help you with a little extra cash.

mattsilkwood

go with the real company. workers comp doesnt mean a whole lot until you get hurt, and let me tell you man it only takes a fraction of a second to not only be sitting on the bench, hurt but be thousands in the hole.

also you will learn alot more doing commercial imo.

paul d.

what he said x2

NolaTigaBait

i'd go with the union shop b/c of all the training you get...although, i heard the local here isn't that strong...i seriously considered it for a while