Job Offer

Steve Connally

Steve Connally

Been here much more than a while
Location
Suffolk, Virginia
Well as you all are familiar with my work saga I've gotten an offer from another company of really good guys. Same pay but above board and all on the books. My schedule and hours are no problem and I've been asked to train a new climber. I've worked with them some and they really take care of their crew. Rigging ropes are crap, spike prunings and generally do so so tree work. Good removal crew not so much on prunings. I'm conflicted. If I quit where I am now after several years and known evils, that bridge will be burned badly. No turning back. They have been in biz for 5 years and to me year 6 and on is a turning point for a company. You've used up friends and word of mouth. They were busy all winter this year though. I would be the primary climber. That puts a lot of pressure on me to produce within my schedule. I prefer being on of a team of climbers not the only guy. Takes some stress out of the situation and allows me to be task oriented instead of the whole job oriented. Prevents rushing and cutting corners because it's all on me. I'm also a very faithful person and despite all the bs I deal with daily my current boss has been fairly good to me aside from not getting paid on time always. I sort of feel like I'm leaving him in a bad spot. Our other climber has court tomorrow and is probably going on vacation(jail humor) for a while. He can't find another climber because nobody wants to work for him. This decision is causing me a lot of stress. Don't know what to do. I can only help the new guys with training and bringing them into quality tree care but what about when the honeymoon is over? What then? Will there be work enough to sustain my gear addiction. I just don't know. I'm very conflicted. Now if it was aspen, limb walker, royce's outfit or anywhere in Asheville it would be a no brainier. The grass Isn't always greener so do I stay with the known evils that I have come to expect and manage or burn the bridge and take a risk? Sheesh. I don't need this pressure rite now. Having to deal with one of my firefighters who's wife is in the wake Forrest burn unit after a fatal fire in Roanoke va. It's a lot. Stretched thin these days.
 
This has always been my take on jobs Steve, if I ain't running out the door then it's not really time. As a Toolmaker I have had a few jobs, many at the same place a cuople years later. Toolmakers are a nomadic people by default. Many jobs are greener but I have also left a few after only one day. It might look good but after you get there all the hidden secrets are uncovered. What you have sucks (paraphrasing) but you know the evils and you're not running away yet. It pays the bills, get you in a tree, pays Treestuff, and works with your schedule. If I remember correctly you have made progress trying to turn this company into a real boy. I say, stay at and keep chipping away at it. When you have had enough you will KNOW IT. Of course keep looking elsewhere always, but for now it sounds what you have is not detrimental to your life. Good luck no matter your decision.
 
I'm with Mac and the lovin' monkey on this one. Doesn't seem like a strong enough case to merit wading across the creek. Before becoming self-employed (and perpetually poor), the several times I can remember leaving a job to accept what seemed like a supposedly better deal, all ended poorly.
 
If their only form of sweeting is better crew I am staying where I am at. Knowing what you have and what is expected of you is nice not to mention it is really nice to have a spare climber in the wings to pickup the extra that you just don't have time for or gotta get back to the day job. This piece of advice was given to me by an old boy living in willmington nc "son the grass may be greener on the other side of the fence but you still have to mow it."
 
Another sentence I have used a lot around here especially with the oil boom. One in the hand is better than two in the bush. I have no idea which way to tell you to go, only you know that what I can do is pass along things that have made job choices much easier for me
 
Maybe having a sit down with your current employer and letting him know what you think and feel is in order. Express concerns or needs such as equipment or staff. A little face to face can go a long way. A new situation isnt any better if is still a bad situation. You seem like an intelligent guy, you will make the right decision when it arrives.
 
From your post steve it seems like you are leaning towards staying where you are? It sounds like your situation at the moment isn't ideal and this offer is a glimpse of hope for something better. When you are feeling sick and tired of your job stuff like this can make you think a lot lol. I just went through the same thing. My advice would be to make a list of things that you are frustrated and concerned with with your current employer then make a list of things that you are worried about with this potential job. If you are seriously considering moving companies then take your list of concerns and sit down with the potential new guy and talk through it with him. How he responds should be a good indication of how he is willing to work with you.

I understand where you are coming from with the loyalty stuff too. I was at my last job for 6+ years and was the lead there. I invested a lot of myself into that company and for the most part really liked working there. But things change and small things that don't seem to bother you at first pile up to the point where job satisfaction is over come by frustration and bitterness. You will know when this happens lol. I sat down with my former boss a couple times to bring up my concerns and things didn't really change. He was receptive and had lots of promises but it the end didn't deliver so for me it was an easier decision to leave. I ended up going to a great company that is super passionate about tree work. Their commitment to safety and quality of work was easy to recognize so although it was a lateral move I'm in a better situation for myself.

My old company was doing a removal a few houses down from my house yesterday and I went down and talked to them for a while. All the stuff they were saying about how things have been going lately made me feel good about leaving! Too much BS ! I felt bad for leaving the company as I was the lead climber and I was leaned on hard for all the big and tricky stuff. They will find a replacement for me, but the reality is its not my/your problem, its the owner's problem.

In the end only you can look out for yourself. Keep that in mind!

Andrew
 
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