What Do I Do?

[Doc Tinker]

OK guys. . you all give me that nice warm fuzzy feeling, when you help each other out, so let me ask for some advice now.



As some of you know, I had a work related back injury a couple years ago. After that, I went fruity on you guys, right here on TDR, and most of us had some fun with it.



In the mean time, since I was unable to return to my old job, my employer stuck me into a tech job, maintaining over 1000 computers. They pay me 1/2 what I made at the old job, but workers comp pays the rest, and is paying for education to boot.



I don't have much of a problem with things the way they are, but there might be a fly in the ointment. By boss had been promoted and will be leaving my department in January. That leaves just me, in the department.



I have the feeling that they will offer me the job, but they will try to make me take it for what I made before I was injured, so they can get me off workers comp. The bosses job currently pays about 20 grand per year more than what I was making before I was injured.



Do you think I should take the promotion at a reduced salary? What if I were to lose workers comp benefits, if I refuse the position at a reduced rate of pay, should I take it then?



Another thing that I will lose, if I get get off workers comp, is the education support.



What do ya think?



Doc

 

[TORQUE THIS]

Doc, If you refuse the job and want to keep your current position, I don't think they can take away your comp insurance. However they could make your life hell if you don't take it, till it makes you quit.



Stand your ground and don't take any BS from the upper management. Threaten to break their golf clubs if they give you any crap

 

[Fireman Dave]

If they offer it to you at a reduced rate, ask them why they would expect you to do the same job as the last guy for less money than he was getting. Experience, they might say? Well, if they think you're the right person for the job, then you should be getting paid accordingly. If that fails, try a deal (in writing) that gives you a set amount of time to prove you're up to the job at the level of the last guy - then you get bumped to his pay (maybe 6 months or a year).



In the end, though, you have to keep the big picture in mind. Times aren't the greatest to talk yourself out of a job - it's not a good time to be looking. So if you have a good situation, it may not be worth pushing things too much. Sometimes the high road will pay off in the long run anyway. Of course, only you can really judge what's best for you in that regard. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[Deezul1]

Try to negotiate a salary thats more than your old job but may not be as much as the exiting boss. He did not start at that salary so they may not start you there. Somewhere in between with with you getting 2/3 of the diff between your old job and the bosses salary might be a good place to accept the job.

Good Luck

 

[WDaniels]

Doc,

Has the doctor that you are seeing released you to return to your old job? If not, there is nothing that management can do to force you off of workmans comp or to accept the new job. As a matter of fact the doctors restrictions will go along with you to the new job. Surely management knows that. Don't know all the particulars of your problem but I'm sure that there are rules and regulations that cover it somewhere. Just have to find them.

WD

 

[Doc Tinker]

Thanks for the advice, guys. I'll let you know if and when anything comes of this. It'll be a month or two before it starts hitting the fan.



My doctor says I will never be able to return to the old job. I suppose that could change if they start making replacement disks



Doc