to quit work or not?

[LoZz]

Ok, I work part time in a small family run PUB. I wash dishes during the week and server drinks in the bar on the weekend, its part time. I got this job while in college (community college to you Americans) and it was my first ever-proper job apart from a summer job in a pet store I did when I was 16. I will have been working at this pub for 2 years this October.

I finished college last summer, so about a year ago. And when I left I had already signed up for the air force, so I figured well its going to be a very disciplined life in the air force so i may as well enjoy my last few months of freedom so I just kept the job (part time still) and spent my free time with friends, working on my fitness etc. anyway as some of you may know I failed the air force medical. Now I am applying for the army, but its taking along time to get in because of a previous failed application, so I am waiting, and waiting. In case this falls threw I have also applied for the police. The point is it should only be a few more months. but I am getting fed up with the pub.

I get paid minimum wage, £4.60. Which is pretty crap as almost everyone I know is on more, even people I work with in the same pub are on more. So I have been thinking of what my options are. The problem is I have gotten used to the pub, its part of my routine, and because it’s a small run thing its quite a buddy relationship with the boss and everyone. I work good hours, which are VERY flexible I can swap shifts almost all the time, and the tips are good, on average I bring home £40($80) a week in tips. But I am fed up with the work, and the low pay, its ok when you get tips, but quite often you don’t. and I am fed up of washing dishes, I never agreed to do it when I signed on, this has been a favour that’s turned into part of my job. But I know I wont get such an easy time from any new boss.

I can’t work full time at this pub, no full time jobs going. But I am not so sure about qutting, like I said the pub has its perks, and also its only a few more months (hopefully) before I go into the army, but I am getting really board now, I have way to much free time on my hands, and if the army says no, well that’s not even worth thinking about. I don’t need more money, my outgoings are around £100 a month (living with mum and dad ftw) and the pub with tips brings in around £300 a month which is more then enough to buy cloths, hang out with friends, drink etc. but I am starting to feel a bit like a bum. I don’t know if asking for a pay rise is a good idea, I don’t even know how to go about it.

So in short I am unsure if I should get a better job for the few months before I go to the army or if I should just stick it out. There are pro’s and con’s to staying and leaving, cant decide

[Shaun]

You should certainly look for one.

[generally amusing]

Apply everywhere. If you get accepted somewhere and its much better pay, take it. If its only around £5 an hour, ask your boss for £5 an hour (if you like it there that is). If he rejects you say you got an offer elsewhere and you quit. Simple as. It doesn't have to be a "get lost old man" kind of quit but a calm "I've got all I can from the pub" quit.

[Serious Spamurai]

At £4.60/hour, I don't see much point staying, maybe if you pushed it up to £5, otherwise, look for alternate employment, you seem like a smart guy, you can get better.

[Thanatos]

It's time to find new employment, man.

[Gwendylyn]

You can always ask for more. It's called salary negotiation. If you need more, tell them that you get a raise or you leave for greener pastures once you have a new job. If you've worked for them for a while and you know you are underpaid, chances are they will give you a raise to keep you.

They won't fire you for asking for a raise. The worst they will do is simply say no.

[Thanatos]

Join a union at another job.

[Calvin]

Definitely ask for more before leaving. Sounds like you have a good thing going there - and if they value you I am sure they would be willing to bump your pay up.

[Raekwon]

Apply everywhere. If you get accepted somewhere and its much better pay, take it. If its only around £5 an hour, ask your boss for £5 an hour (if you like it there that is). If he rejects you say you got an offer elsewhere and you quit. Simple as. It doesn't have to be a "get lost old man" kind of quit but a calm "I've got all I can from the pub" quit.

More or less perfect advice in this situation.

[Senno]

More or less perfect advice in this situation.

Most employers will not willingly hire such a short-term employee.

That answer is perfect from the "me" perspective.

Not from any other.

Ask for a raise, and if not, just stick it out. It's just a few months, most likely, and apparently the pros and cons are so evenly balanced that you can't decide. So why make a mountain out of a mole-hill? Enjoy your remaining free time. You will have mountains made out of mole-hills soon enough. Military discipline is good for that.