What's more important? : Wed Oct 17, 2012 1:45 pm  

Better pay or a nicer working environment?
I only ask because as most of you will know I have been chasing a PT job for about a year and after 2 temp spells I have got in at Asda perm.
The pay is ok but I have earned more BUT I have never felt so welcomed and valued in my working life.
10% Colleague card on all Asda purchases, Little things like your first year service actually being celebrated and the fact that everyone (And I mean everyone) being on a first name basis as just 2 examples.
In fact I can honestly say that when my little un goes to school full time I am considering staying put instead of chasing more money elsewhere.
Don't get me wrong It isn't easy work (Portering) but I actually go to work with a smile on my face which for me is a first.

So I ask which is better money or environment?

Re: What's more important? : Wed Oct 17, 2012 2:10 pm  

Not an easy one to answer but from your description of ASDA you've fallen on your feet and good luck to you.

[John_D]

Re: What's more important? : Wed Oct 17, 2012 2:25 pm  

No amount of money can make a hostile/stressful/antagonistic working environment worth it.

Re: What's more important? : Wed Oct 17, 2012 2:27 pm  

John_D wrote:

No amount of money can make a hostile/stressful/antagonistic working environment worth it.

I'd go with that 100%

I suppose the other argument is if you need to earn x amount due to family commitments etc., maybe you'd put up with a 'bad' job if it pays well?

Having said that, I'm self-employed and my boss is a right lover....

Re: What's more important? : Wed Oct 17, 2012 2:32 pm  

John_D wrote:

No amount of money can make a hostile/stressful/antagonistic working environment worth it.

The avatar says it all John

Re: What's more important? : Wed Oct 17, 2012 2:46 pm  

I am disliked because of my role, so I compensate by getting as many beer vouchers as I can

Re: What's more important? : Wed Oct 17, 2012 2:49 pm  

I dunno, I'd put up with a bad environment at work for £1m a year. But then I'm very good at detaching work from my personal life.

It's obviously better if you can enjoy work, but eventually all 'work' you don't passionately care for becomes a pain. Portering in Asda amongst nice people may be good now, but give it three years and you'll have the same bitter angst everyone else who works in a job they don't have a genuine passion for does.

There are very few who are in the position of doing something they genuinely love. I'm very jealous of those people.

Re: What's more important? : Wed Oct 17, 2012 2:57 pm  

Anakin Skywalker wrote:

Better pay or a nicer working environment?
I only ask because as most of you will know I have been chasing a PT job for about a year and after 2 temp spells I have got in at Asda perm.
The pay is ok but I have earned more BUT I have never felt so welcomed and valued in my working life.
10% Colleague card on all Asda purchases, Little things like your first year service actually being celebrated and the fact that everyone (And I mean everyone) being on a first name basis as just 2 examples.
In fact I can honestly say that when my little un goes to school full time I am considering staying put instead of chasing more money elsewhere.
Don't get me wrong It isn't easy work (Portering) but I actually go to work with a smile on my face which for me is a first.

So I ask which is better money or environment?

It all depends,, it's good you've found work.

Persconally, I've worked in hostile environments but earned a lot of money, and one outweighed the other, by some distance. Income affords you opportunity.

[DaveO]

Re: What's more important? : Wed Oct 17, 2012 3:05 pm  

Anakin Skywalker wrote: Better pay or a nicer working environment? I only ask because as most of you will know I have been chasing a PT job for about a year and after 2 temp spells I have got in at Asda perm. The pay is ok but I have earned more BUT I have never felt so welcomed and valued in my working life. 10% Colleague card on all Asda purchases, Little things like your first year service actually being celebrated and the fact that everyone (And I mean everyone) being on a first name basis as just 2 examples. In fact I can honestly say that when my little un goes to school full time I am considering staying put instead of chasing more money elsewhere. Don't get me wrong It isn't easy work (Portering) but I actually go to work with a smile on my face which for me is a first. So I ask which is better money or environment? Interesting since Walmart, ASDA's owners are suffering a series of strikes in the US at the moment. Walmart a renowned for taking a tough line on workers rights, pay and conditions. I have a relative who works for M&S down in the Poole area. What you describe above is very similar to the kind of benefits that M&S have removed from their employees in recent years. She even told me when the store management decided it wanted to open the store on boxing day last year (something they never used to do at that store) staff were threatened with consequences if they didn't turn in for work. The management had to force them to come in because not enough staff volunteered This move was late in he day and like the person mentioned in this article: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/money/3851935/.html She had already made arrangements to be away on the bank holiday but was told "tough, cancel your arrangements". I wonder who gets more out of their workers, ASDA or M&S?

Anakin Skywalker wrote: Better pay or a nicer working environment? I only ask because as most of you will know I have been chasing a PT job for about a year and after 2 temp spells I have got in at Asda perm. The pay is ok but I have earned more BUT I have never felt so welcomed and valued in my working life. 10% Colleague card on all Asda purchases, Little things like your first year service actually being celebrated and the fact that everyone (And I mean everyone) being on a first name basis as just 2 examples. In fact I can honestly say that when my little un goes to school full time I am considering staying put instead of chasing more money elsewhere. Don't get me wrong It isn't easy work (Portering) but I actually go to work with a smile on my face which for me is a first. So I ask which is better money or environment? Interesting since Walmart, ASDA's owners are suffering a series of strikes in the US at the moment. Walmart a renowned for taking a tough line on workers rights, pay and conditions. I have a relative who works for M&S down in the Poole area. What you describe above is very similar to the kind of benefits that M&S have removed from their employees in recent years. She even told me when the store management decided it wanted to open the store on boxing day last year (something they never used to do at that store) staff were threatened with consequences if they didn't turn in for work. The management had to force them to come in because not enough staff volunteered This move was late in he day and like the person mentioned in this article: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/money/3851935/.html She had already made arrangements to be away on the bank holiday but was told "tough, cancel your arrangements". I wonder who gets more out of their workers, ASDA or M&S?

Re: What's more important? : Wed Oct 17, 2012 3:07 pm  

Similarly, I've earnt good money and also been on the bones of my @rse.
I haven't been in a 'better place' either way.
I can adapt, but I would imagine that's been a hell of a lot easier having had no dependents.