What would you do?

[NathanY]

When I came down here I got a job working for this guy driving one of his trucks. He is a great guy and a real good boss. I have been working from 5:45 to about 5-6:00 five days a week, and it has been great. Now comes a project that changes all that. This project requires me to work from 2am until 5-6 pm. This is not so great. Also they want me to work on Saturday and go back in on Sunday night at 10pm. <br /><br />I really like the job that I have, and I like the guy I work for. But these hours are too much. I dont want to work that much. Its not like this is a week or two deal, this is a several month to year deal. What should I do?

 

[BLU LUNCH]

Re: What would you do?

Lincoln freed the slaves long ago........too many hours....

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: What would you do?

Nate, you know that I know how the trucking business is after being in it some 22 years.<br />It is a wild game for sure.<br />It has it's up's and down's just like any other business does.<br /><br />If he is paying the OT for the extra hours, it might be best to tighten the belt and work them. It might benifit you down the road with this guy.<br /><br />It might mean a bonus even after he see's what a good job you can do under the situation.<br /><br />It's a hard question to answer from my standpoint, but I would give it a shot for a month to see how I felt after that and then have a talk with him about it.<br /><br />If he is a good guy, maybe he will understand and cut your hours back some.

 

[NathanY]

Re: What would you do?

Lester, I am a contractor with a set pay rate no matter the hours. That means no OT or extra for working the screwed up hours, I just get my hourly rate.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: What would you do?

Then I would have a chat with the man.<br />Let him know that you don't care to work extra maybe a couple days a week, but you need your time off.<br /><br />Like I said, a hard question for me to answer.

 

[Homerr]

Re: What would you do?

WAY too many hours. Enjoy some life while you can.<br /><br />My Grandpa died on his job 'cause he was such a work-a-holic.... And my Dad almost did the same.<br /><br />I on the other hand.... am a bit lazier... But I am enjoying life far more than they did.<br /><br /><br />R.

 

[roscoe]

Re: What would you do?

How did you get to being a contractor with a driving job like that?<br /><br />He owns the trucks.<br />He lines up the work, loads, locations, times, etc.<br />You are an employee, not a contractor. <br />Ask at any state labor office if you don't think so.<br />Or ask the irs. <br />You get paid hourly, right?<br />Way too many hours to be legal with the DOT.<br />90-95 hours per week as an hourly employee driving a big truk will get you in a heap of trouble. <br /><br />Don't ask where or when, but I used to be 15-25 hours over legal every week. We got paid hourly, we got paid ot too. Those payroll records hung the company when the DOT came in and looked. Us drivers got in a bit of trouble, but not too bad.<br /><br />Lots of driving jobs out there.<br /><br />Now if you owned your own truck, you could set it up so you can run all the hours you want.

 

[Stratosfied]

Re: What would you do?

Nate, I feel for ya man. Seems like all I see on the tube is that labor costs are too high in the US. Your situation seems like a good reason to be in the teamsters. The boss may be a great fellow and all that and I believe all that you have posted, but, wouldn't it be more prudent for the employees to just hire a few more drivers?? By not hiring more, the contract that they have will guarantee more for the 'Bosses" and less for the worker(you and others). Not to mention the terrible hours. Welcome to the 'Global Economy' We are being more socialist each day. A verifiable trade used to be a wonderful thing, now it is just an excuse to rob non union folks of their just compensation. All the crooks aren't on the CEO level.

 

[JB]

Re: What would you do?

Well, that explains why we haven't seen much of you the past month or so.<br /><br />Tough decision, Nate. On the one side is more bux, even without OT. On the other side is a burned out driver who might not be safe on the road driving 80 hours a week.<br /><br />I suspect that schedule is illegal, even for a non-OTR driver who is a "contractor". Even the "contractor" status may be illegal.<br /><br />I would try to negotiate an acceptable schedule. Failing that I would blow the job off and look for one that has an acceptable schedule and benefits.<br /><br />Best of luck, and drop in for a beer when you have a little time.

 

[POINTER94]

Re: What would you do?

I am with JB. Your schedule as described is totally unacceptable. It shows a disregard for you and your life. Do you live to work or work to live. That is your dilema. If you are even considering working these hours there is a job out there for you. Hard to find workers like you anymore.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[BrettNC]

Re: What would you do?

JB hit it on the head on this one. I agree. Especially if you do not own any of the assets that are used to do the job. That is basic criteria for independent contractor status. I would insist that they hire you on as an employee of the company, if you still want to work for them. If you have any other options then take a long hard look at them.

 

[Perfidiajoe]

Re: What would you do?

Is he a great guy becauce he is making money on you, or is he a great guy because he cares about you, or anybody? Are you a contractor because you have to pay your own tax, S.S. & therefore responsible for your own benifits? Unless there is something I don't know, he don't sound so great to me! I could be a mile off base here, but anyone would have a big smile & buy you a coffee, or a beer, when he's making all the money, or getting the credit, from higher-ups, & someone else is taking the risks, & doing the work. The reason there is an overtime rate is because you have to give up a piece of your life(Your time) to get it. Talk to the guy, & maybe start looking around. IMHO, Joe

 

[Ross J]

Re: What would you do?

If being under contract is working at present then how about approaching the boss and requesting he provides you with a suitable sub-contractor to help with all those extra hours. Then you might be able to schedule the hours that best suit yourself.<br />Ross

 

[JB]

Re: What would you do?

Nate,<br /><br />Let us know how this turns out.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[Nos4r2]

Re: What would you do?

Nate, in the UK there's a limit of 45 hours a week behind the wheel for just that purpose.I can rack up 60+ hours a week at work with 45 hours driving.Those kinda hours-sheesh! <br /><br />I wouldn't do it-Somehow I doubt at the end of the week I'd be safe to drive, but I guess it's up to you.<br /><br />Good luck with it.

 

[DJ]

Re: What would you do?

I think the "contractor" part may be put on you to eliviate the overage hours responsibility.<br /><br />You being a contractor, they may be wishing that you'll "sub" out some of the work. Wink, wink.<br /><br />Personally, I think our driving laws are too strict. 40 hours out of 120 is NOT that many. Especially when one considers idle time. There are some weeks when I dive 40+ out of an 80 plus hour work week) and I'm not hauling a payload. <br /><br />But, that's my opinion.