Tell Me Something............Anything!

[Marco]

With the odd exception you have to be fairly high up the food chain before that starts to happen though, in which case you'll be getting paid commensurately.

Not really, at least back when I worked in sales. If you were a *really* good salesman (which I was) and regularly delivered the goods, in the process allowing your manager to hit his targets and make money for the company, then you were defo considered as an asset and treated accordingly.

In the store I first worked in (in my early 20s), they used to move me around different departments that were struggling, to help increase sales/profits, as I could sell anything, no matter what the product was. Sadly though, I never got to work in the lingerie department!

But seriously, that's what happened and more often than not it worked and was reflected in my salary, as I was paid a bonus if the department concerned hit their targets as a result of my input. That went on until I was promoted into management, after having become one of the highest earners on the shop floor. both through those types of bonuses and commission, especially when selling 'high ticket' goods, such as furniture and electrical items, which I loved!

I was considered as an asset and treated well in most of my jobs, before going self-employed, so whilst I agree with what you say, it's by no means a universal fact, If you're *that* good, salesmen will always be in demand and can often command high salaries and dictate the terms of any job, BEFORE THEY will accept it!

Once I'd gained some experience, that was always how I approached job interviews: 'Were THEY good enough to have ME?' Not the other way round. I was always a confident bastard

Nothing to beat being you're own boss though, if you like what you're doing and the business is profitable!

Marco.

[Macca]

Yes well sales is a different ballgame isn't it? My last sales job I was doing 60 hour weeks over the contractual 40 hours. If you don't want the heat then you stay out of that kitchen.

Just saying that for the great mass of the working population they don't work additional hours unless it's paid overtime and they're not on call 24/7 and no-one expects them to be.

[Marco]

Yes well sales is a different ballgame isn't it? My last sales job I was doing 60 hour weeks over the contractual 40 hours. If you don't want the heat then you stay out of that kitchen.

Well, when I was in retail, it was strictly 9-5pm, with overtime optimal during the sales, and that included an hour's lunch break and two 20 mins tea breaks (one in the morning and one on the afternoon), so the 'heat' was minimal. House of Fraser were renowned though for looking after their staff, and if they showed potential, being rewarded for it

The 'heat' was pretty intense though, when I was selling products door to door (cold calling), on a commission only basis, from 8am-8pm in all weathers, with targets to reach, in order to keep my job - or especially when running my own business, with a huge mortgage to pay, often working 6/7 days a week, with some of those all-nighters, and sometimes not knowing where the next penny was coming from!

Just saying that for the great mass of the working population they don't work additional hours unless it's paid overtime and they're not on call 24/7 and no-one expects them to be.

Well, that's not my experience, based on those I've been talking to who are grossly put upon and undervalued in their work, and working longer hours than ever.

Certainly in Del's job as college lecturer in English and maths, she's expected to be contactable way outside of her contracted working hours. She was texting her boss last night at 9pm, to discuss classroom arrangements for the following day, unpaid of course! Even at weekends, she's expected to be 'available' if necessary, sometimes even for Zoom meetings, at short notice, if the need is urgent.

She's the conscientious type though, loves her job, and is certainly highly regarded and considered as an asset by her superiors, and ADORED by her students, simply because she's personable, reliable, highly efficient and gets results!

Rather like with Alex in his job (which I'm sure he's equally good at), that allows her a certain amount of 'slack', in terms of many aspects of her working conditions - in fact she usually ends up bossing her line manager about, as he often concedes that she's right during many key decisions!

Marco.

[Macca]

College lecturer is a professional job though, if you're at a professional level then working out of hours comes with the territory. And the salary. And that's always been the case, it's not a new thing.

If people doing professional jobs for professional grade salaries don't like it they can always quit and get a minimum wage job on the tills at Aldi or something and knock off after 7.5 hours. But they don't, funny that isn't it?

[Marco]

Indeed, and it's those very people, the latter (and many others), who come into the category I described earlier of 'put upon, undervalued, and working longer hours than ever!'

Del's certainly not complaining, btw, and yes on a very good salary (at the very top of her pay scale, actually).

However, until the advent of the Internet and smartphones, plus significant changes to the teaching profession, and what's expected of teachers now/the demands imposed upon them, as in many cases with Del's special needs students (such as those with autism or Down's syndrome), you need to be their carer, not just their tutor, it was just as well paid (for the times), but a damn sight less stressful!

Marco.

[fatmarley]

Just saw some photos of myself and thought, "WTF!" I don't look that old in the mirror.

[struth]

Just saw some photos of myself and thought, "WTF!" I don't look that old in the mirror.

i pasted a picture of my younger self on the mirror

[Marco]

Aye, 6-stone ago!

Marco.

[fatmarley]

i pasted a picture of my younger self on the mirror

I suppose I could try that, but you'd have to send me the picture.

[Barry]

Interesting - I always look older in photos than I do when I look at myself in a mirror.

Also, why is it that I'm quite comfortable looking at myself in a mirror at home, yet hate catching my own reflection in shop mirrors?