am I being indecisive?(long message..sorry)

[lavender1]

I'm in a bit of a dilemna (can't spell) at the minute and am not sure what to do for the best.

My boss refuses to negotiate a pay review in my contract and it's really getting my back up...I've worked for him now for nearly 2 years and for work when I'm on site (his business) he still pays me £4.65 an hour (he says he can't up it as he isn't making the profit...and yet he has advertised for 2 new members of staff)....if I was 18 I wouldn't mind but have worked nearly 17 years and have a lot of experience etc...Have tried to but he won't budge.

The fact is I am NOT money grabbing but dh and I want to buy a house and I need to help more, dh says...it's got to the point where we are argue about it and dh keeps saying why don't you get a proper job paying you £8 an hour..instead of labouring all your life...fact is I won't be doing this forever but he says we are hurting financially because of this stubborness to do anything about it....

Am feeling so indecisive (I know most people would say just find another job) I keep thinking if I produced these ideas that helped the business the wages would go up and I wouldn't have to leave....stuck in a rut of not wanting to do a new job (am very willing to try new things out but not here I fear) it's wearing me down as like most mums part-time work is all you can do when you've young children and a house to run..

Would it be out of order to produce a list of things that might help improve things(he's already said it is okay...trouble is list could say things that might upset him...like an untidy workplace gives customers the impression of an unorganized mind...if it was me I'd tidy it up and make my workplace spick and span)wouldn't actually say this to him but would suggest tidying things up a bit...

Why do employers not utilise their employees skills...could do so much more (not trying to sound big-headed here at all just peed off!

I would appreciate any thoughts here as am so unsure and just want to help out at home without getting nagged by dh every 5 mins (he has got a point though).

What size company is it? Is there anyone else you could speak to or maybe a union rep? I get the impression that it's just a small place though...

What about finding some similar jobs in the local paper and showing him that they pay more (worked once for me).

You don't sound like you even enjoy it too much, do you?

message withdrawn

thanks Epigirl I have said to him on a number of occasions that if I was 18 and worked at McDonalds I'd earn more (he talks his way out of it...he's long winded and has an answer for most things)...really want to do more and get appreciated £4.65 is ttp really ..if someone has a degree should that be taken into account? Indecisive waves are coming over me again!

Twilglett, yes I do enjoy my job sometimes, I feel hugely taken for granted (only women and least paid! cos not physically strong but office work I do (others don't)...I do think about going somewhere....self-confidence gone to pot a little as think over £4.65 is being moneygrabbing...why doesn't he appreciate the skills I have...grhhh!!

perhaps should start a job site where we can rant about our jobs...brainstorm and provide help where necessary to help those people who don't have a dream job...Anyone game? all day drinking allowed