Who wants another update on my crazy work situation?

Re: Who wants another update on my crazy work situation?

• violajack member

  February 2012

  Wow.  I almost came out of lurking to reply to the previous thread, and since no one else has replied yet here, I'll come out now.  I can't believe this is your church treating you like this.  If 3 hours is such a small price to pay, then why don't they just pay you those hours and spend some time praying for YH instead of arguing about your hours?  It seems like such a petty thing to "dock 3 hours" from a salaried position.  

  Also, hours worked at home don't apply as hours worked at church?  I thought you said your contract was based on 15 hours, period.  Hours are hours.  Is your contract specific about your Sunday duties as a separate part of your pay?

  I would do exactly what someone mentioned on the previous thread - track your hours and when you hit 15, stop.  If you can't get everything done in those hours, then it will just have to get done next week.  For the 30 hour fast, they can pick whether they want you there for the beginning of it or the end, but I would not work all 30.  If you were going to go as a member of the congregation, that would be one thing, but if they are expecting you to be there as staff, then you should stay within the terms of your contract.  Also, are you considered a non-exempt employee (most hourly workers are)?  If so, you should also qualify for overtime as soon as that event goes over 8 hours.  

  It's so hard to work for a church.  You have to keep a clear line between what you give and do as a member of the congregation and what you do as a paid member of the staff.   If they've entered into an employment contract with you, it's business, not volunteer work.  They need to respect you and your time just as you would any paid professional in any line of work.  The sad and frustrating thing is, they probably don't even realize how disrespectful this is.  It probably makes perfect sense to them - you weren't there, so they don't have to pay you.  

  I volunteer a lot at my church and know several people who are paid some as staff.  When they attend things outside of their staff duties, but they're pretty clear about when they're "on" or when they're just attending.  

  As a musician, I also know how dangerously easy it is to let the stress of relying on income from an activity that I used to pour my heart into suck all the life and passion out of it.  Don't let a stupid argument over a few hours of pay sour your experience at church.  Try to separate it as a bad employment experience and use it to clarify the terms of your contract as unemotionally as a pregnant lady can hope to be.

  I hope this didn't get too long or ranty, I just still can't believe your church has taken this attitude with you.  I'm so sorry you're having to deal with this.  You must be so frustrated.  If anyone can sort this whole thing out, God can.  Prayers for you and what's going on.

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• giggles0918 member

  February 2012

  I agree with everything the previous poster and what she said.  The whole situation is just crazy.  I hope you get this resolved soon and doens't make any bad situations at your church for you!

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• celestialnyte member

  February 2012

  violajack:

  Wow.  I almost came out of lurking to reply to the previous thread, and since no one else has replied yet here, I'll come out now.  I can't believe this is your church treating you like this.  If 3 hours is such a small price to pay, then why don't they just pay you those hours and spend some time praying for YH instead of arguing about your hours?  It seems like such a petty thing to "dock 3 hours" from a salaried position.  

  Also, hours worked at home don't apply as hours worked at church?  I thought you said your contract was based on 15 hours, period.  Hours are hours.  Is your contract specific about your Sunday duties as a separate part of your pay?

  I would do exactly what someone mentioned on the previous thread - track your hours and when you hit 15, stop.  If you can't get everything done in those hours, then it will just have to get done next week.  For the 30 hour fast, they can pick whether they want you there for the beginning of it or the end, but I would not work all 30.  If you were going to go as a member of the congregation, that would be one thing, but if they are expecting you to be there as staff, then you should stay within the terms of your contract.  Also, are you considered a non-exempt employee (most hourly workers are)?  If so, you should also qualify for overtime as soon as that event goes over 8 hours.  

  It's so hard to work for a church.  You have to keep a clear line between what you give and do as a member of the congregation and what you do as a paid member of the staff.   If they've entered into an employment contract with you, it's business, not volunteer work.  They need to respect you and your time just as you would any paid professional in any line of work.  The sad and frustrating thing is, they probably don't even realize how disrespectful this is.  It probably makes perfect sense to them - you weren't there, so they don't have to pay you.  

  I volunteer a lot at my church and know several people who are paid some as staff.  When they attend things outside of their staff duties, but they're pretty clear about when they're "on" or when they're just attending.  

  As a musician, I also know how dangerously easy it is to let the stress of relying on income from an activity that I used to pour my heart into suck all the life and passion out of it.  Don't let a stupid argument over a few hours of pay sour your experience at church.  Try to separate it as a bad employment experience and use it to clarify the terms of your contract as unemotionally as a pregnant lady can hope to be.

  I hope this didn't get too long or ranty, I just still can't believe your church has taken this attitude with you.  I'm so sorry you're having to deal with this.  You must be so frustrated.  If anyone can sort this whole thing out, God can.  Prayers for you and what's going on.

  Thank you. I'm not a member of the church - but I do go to things like their Winter Fair and such that I don't count towards my hours because I want to show support for the church. 
  

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• jen812 member

  February 2012

  The first reply was well said. But..... Now learning that you aren't a member of the church changes things a little. Yes, I get that you want to be supportive & are trying to do the right thing, but they are taking advantage of you. You need to put your foot down & stick up for yourself.
  I'd also start looking for another job. Their actions & behavior are not an environment I'd want to stay in for very long.

  

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• venussapphire member

  February 2012

  That is so dumb. Where I work people frequently worth through their lunches/breaks or stay free without claiming overtime. Then the day they leave 30 minutes early it's a big deal. "So..I saw you left early..don't forget to put in for that"
  Drives me bonkers. Be thankful you dont have to pay us for all the time that is actually put in.

  Good luck!!

  Audrey is going to be a big sister!
  

  
  

  
  

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• celestialnyte member

  February 2012

  I am looking for another job ... but I'm also looking for a f/t job, too. Its difficult .... because theres nothing around right now ... or at least nothing I'm seeing. I apply to at least 25 jobs a day ... and I haven't had an interview in the last 2 1/2 weeks. And those that I do interview for, I get no reply back for a 2nd interview. I could leave the job, but that may effect my unemployment, and working this p/t job and collecting unemployment gives me an additional $400 a month that I wouldn't have if I just collected. With a sick DH, a baby on the way, bills and rent to pay .... that $400 a month is really important.
  

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• jen812 member

  February 2012

  I wouldn't just quit without having something else lined up & I understand the job market sucks. But you can't let them take advantage of you just because you 'need' this job. You deserve to be treated fairly.

  

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