Hourly vs Salary?

jerrybob · Dec 28, 2016

ultrarunner said:
I don't think life would change all that much... I live simply.

Looks like I would have to come up with a good chunk for Health Insurance each year.

One of the reasons I've stayed on outside of knowing people depend on me is I have wanted for a very long time to find that perfect property where I could enjoy life and have a home for my old car collection... getting a mortgage becomes very problematic if you are not working or have a pension income.

A couple of acres not too far out but most definitely not inside the city limits with a 5,000 square foot shop/barn/garage and a paved circular drive with easy access to the interstate... has to be close to a fire hydrant as this is required for my old car insurance policy... no dirt of gravel roads as this can be problematic with show cars...

I guess I still want a lot but "Need" very little... if that makes sense.

Makes sense......especially if that is what you want. Good luck with whatever you decide......just enjoy what you do.

ultrarunner · Dec 28, 2016

^^^ I had really thought Washington State would be it... checked just about all the boxes... I love my time there and the good people... don't mind water and the green that comes with it.

Having my car mildew came as a surprise... large high ceiling and elevated slab... which gave me cause to rethink... not to mention the DMV nightmare if I were to transfer 25 or 30 vehicle Titles.

jerrybob · Dec 28, 2016

ultrarunner said:
^^^ I had really thought Washington State would be it... checked just about all the boxes... I love my time there and the good people... don't mind water and the green that comes with it.

Having my car mildew came as a surprise... large high ceiling and elevated slab... which gave me cause to rethink... not to mention the DMV nightmare if I were to transfer 25 or 30 vehicle Titles.

Rural Washington is great and beautiful.......the big cities suck just like all other big cities. We moved from So. Calif. 14 years ago.......don't miss it at all. I still feel like I am on vacation whenever I walk out the door........

hawkeye08 · Dec 29, 2016

DMV nightmare includes fees equal to sales tax on value of vehicle..

MossRoad · Dec 29, 2016

hawkeye08 said:
DMV nightmare includes fees equal to sales tax on value of vehicle..

YIKES!!!

That could get costly.

WoodChuckDad · Dec 29, 2016

How many cars are we talking about?

jlawso21 · Dec 29, 2016

I have not read all the posts in answer to your OP, but I thought I would share a few thoughts with you. I spent most of my career in management, including buying and "integrating" newly acquired companies into our corporation. In almost all cases it was a one to two year period of disappointment for the newly acquired company and most of the employees, but not all.
First, I gather you are not going to leave the area in search of employment if things don't work out with the new guys. If that is the case you have nothing to lose by easing into your decision. Gather information. Don't be pressured into signing the new agreement till you are ready. If they press you about it just explain that you need more time. Spend the next week or two gathering information. Try to find out where they have other hospitals. Drive over there, have lunch in their cafeteria and meet some of the employees. Get their employee handbook if you don't already have it. Ask question of their employees about their policies. One question to ask is how strict are they to the policy, do they make exceptions. Some companies do, some don't.
Talk to the HR person who made you the offer and ask if they understand what you do. If they don't know and don't try to understand or don't seem to care, that is not a good sign. In many instances the acquiring company sends weaker managers to the new company and they won't have a clue how to talk to you honestly. If they are stronger or senior management that knows anything they will want to understand. Once they do ask them how they will structure your job. When my old company acquired a business I would go in and interview every senior manager to make an assessment. When I found valuable employees that ran the place, regardless of their title I would spend time with them. I always made it my business to interview skilled or technical people who kept the place running.
If you don't get any warm and fuzzies don't give up.
You have already received a lot of good advice. If you don't see a labor attorney at least find a friend that is in HR that can brief you on labor law in your state. After you have done your diligence you can at least start to make a decision. The biggest problem I see from your description of your job is that there is a good chance they won't understand your value. If they do they may not have the flexibility to put you in the appropriate position (weak management). In a lot of smaller organization people like you are what makes the company profitable but only the old management team knows that. (If you have allies in the old team sound them out for advice.)
Finally, the whole thing about salary vs. hourly; other than the numbers, which sort themselves out there is not much to worry about. I spent my whole career in a shirt and tie only to find out when I retired that I liked working with my hands much better. Now, I did not make a mistake being it management, it was very rewarding, but it sure came as a surprise to me how much I enjoyed the hourly side once I got there.
I suspect the biggest decision you have to make is "am I going to like this place once they take over?" There is a real risk you won't. But before you decide ask yourself this question. Do I not like it because I don't like it or do I not like it because it's different than what I am used to? If you don't like it leave. But if it's different you may have to give it a year or two to really know. I have seen many people make the mistake of leaving because it was different, and go to a place that was worse and yet they would accept almost anything from the new company. If your job is as unique as it sounds you will really have to make an adjustment regardless what you decide. Good luck to you

MossRoad · Dec 29, 2016

WoodChuckDad said:
How many cars are we talking about?

I think he has about 700. I'd take about 699 of them any day! :laughing:

ultrarunner · Dec 30, 2016

WoodChuckDad said:
How many cars are we talking about?

I have 50 vehicles with about half with title and registration... almost all are now registered Non-Op in which I pay a fee to California for NOT using them on the Street...

The minimum tag is now circa $100 per year.

Oldest is a 1905 Oldsmobile... started out wanting one car from every decade.

ultrarunner · Dec 30, 2016

jlawso21 said:
I have not read all the posts in answer to your OP, but I thought I would share a few thoughts with you. I spent most of my career in management, including buying and "integrating" newly acquired companies into our corporation. In almost all cases it was a one to two year period of disappointment for the newly acquired company and most of the employees, but not all.
First, I gather you are not going to leave the area in search of employment if things don't work out with the new guys. If that is the case you have nothing to lose by easing into your decision. Gather information. Don't be pressured into signing the new agreement till you are ready. If they press you about it just explain that you need more time. Spend the next week or two gathering information. Try to find out where they have other hospitals. Drive over there, have lunch in their cafeteria and meet some of the employees. Get their employee handbook if you don't already have it. Ask question of their employees about their policies. One question to ask is how strict are they to the policy, do they make exceptions. Some companies do, some don't.
Talk to the HR person who made you the offer and ask if they understand what you do. If they don't know and don't try to understand or don't seem to care, that is not a good sign. In many instances the acquiring company sends weaker managers to the new company and they won't have a clue how to talk to you honestly. If they are stronger or senior management that knows anything they will want to understand. Once they do ask them how they will structure your job. When my old company acquired a business I would go in and interview every senior manager to make an assessment. When I found valuable employees that ran the place, regardless of their title I would spend time with them. I always made it my business to interview skilled or technical people who kept the place running.
If you don't get any warm and fuzzies don't give up.
You have already received a lot of good advice. If you don't see a labor attorney at least find a friend that is in HR that can brief you on labor law in your state. After you have done your diligence you can at least start to make a decision. The biggest problem I see from your description of your job is that there is a good chance they won't understand your value. If they do they may not have the flexibility to put you in the appropriate position (weak management). In a lot of smaller organization people like you are what makes the company profitable but only the old management team knows that. (If you have allies in the old team sound them out for advice.)
Finally, the whole thing about salary vs. hourly; other than the numbers, which sort themselves out there is not much to worry about. I spent my whole career in a shirt and tie only to find out when I retired that I liked working with my hands much better. Now, I did not make a mistake being it management, it was very rewarding, but it sure came as a surprise to me how much I enjoyed the hourly side once I got there.
I suspect the biggest decision you have to make is "am I going to like this place once they take over?" There is a real risk you won't. But before you decide ask yourself this question. Do I not like it because I don't like it or do I not like it because it's different than what I am used to? If you don't like it leave. But if it's different you may have to give it a year or two to really know. I have seen many people make the mistake of leaving because it was different, and go to a place that was worse and yet they would accept almost anything from the new company. If your job is as unique as it sounds you will really have to make an adjustment regardless what you decide. Good luck to you

Pretty much sums up the situation from all sides...

It's been a week since the deadline extension... mentioned to the person that will be my new boss who I had worked with for years in the past as project manager that I have not heard anything...

I was told it is because they don't know what to do with me but it is not for lack of discussion at all levels... it is because I currently cross just about all job classifications... even certified to do patient care.

I'm not alone but my guess is 95% have come on board... but I know two others that were highly recruited that also have issues... they too do not fit the mold.

One has super loyal surgeons who said to our Admin if we want their cases they need to hire this Surgical Tech... when she came onboard 9 years ago we picked up 5 surgeons... 2 of which have retired since.

I've come to peace with it because not working for the new entity is not the end of the world...

I also feel a little awkward in that I'm not the problem child or difficult employee but asking questions has made extra work for others...

The point about enforcement of rules is a good one... being on call 24 hours a day for 365 days each year and having that in writing without know how it will be implemented is a concern... what happens if I can't come in... or want spend time sailing on SF Bay where it could take hours to come in?