u/controlsys

I am an engineering apprentice in Italy managing software for multi-million trench machinery. My boss spent months manipulating me, claiming he was "fighting HR" for my raise. After a huge argument where he told me to "ignore HR," HR texted me out of the blue to talk. I spilled everything, exposed his lies, and now the company is in panic/damage-control mode.

I’m on a 3-year apprenticeship contract (which legally mandates structured training) at a 3,000+ employee multinational. Instead of training:

\- Zero Training: I was left completely alone from day one to independently manage software for excavation machinery worth $20M–$30M each. • - The Travel Fight: Months ago, my boss tried to force me to use my own car and money for a business trip. I fought back, demanded a company car, and took the trip. Plot twist: My boss never filed the official transfer paperwork. Only he knew I was away, making the whole trip legally "invisible."

For months, my boss constantly repeated that he was "fighting hard" behind the scenes against HR to get me an immediate permanent contract and a raise. Recently, he tried to force me to personally pay for a passport and credit card to go on a trip outside the EU (despite being told at hiring I'd stay in Europe). When I refused, he flipped and said: "HR is the enemy blocking your raise. Ignore HR and do what I say”

I called him out. I asked him: "You say this is for training, but where has the training been this whole time?" He went dead silent. He then tried to flatter me, saying I was supervising two other guys on AI projects. I snapped back: "Supervising and teaching others is also training, right?" Silent again. He also openly snubbed me in meetings because I refuse to work unpaid 18-hour days (our overtime is paid a pathetic $3/hour).

A week later, HR texted me out of nowhere to talk. I strongly suspect my boss sent her to give me a disciplinary dressing-down, but I took the opportunity to spill everything: the car issues, the passport pressure, the unpaid overtime, and his months of lies about "fighting HR" for my contract. Surprise (maybe..) HR knew absolutely nothing. He had never requested a contract change or a raise for me.

HR went into instant damage control. She threw a verbal offer at me for an immediate permanent contract and a raise. I told her: "I'm fine with being trained, but not being a drain on costs. You decide." Two weeks later, the Tech Lead also approached me with weirdly specific questions: "Wouldn't you prefer a more serious contract? With a raise? That would be satisfying, right?" I shut it down by saying it wasn't my decision.

Since then, total radio silence. No written proposal.
HR told me she wanted to talk to me because the company's financial forecast for next year is bad, they know things aren't working, and they wanted to figure out what was wrong with the company. She said, "Don't worry, we'll confirm you, you're valuable." I don't believe a word.
My boss has backed off and reduced my workload from five things to one, but I still have total, independent responsibility over it.

My apprenticeship expires in X months. In Italy, the company can choose to let me go at the end of the apprenticeship without giving any legal reason. I am already updating my CV to build a safety net.

What is HR's actual angle here and How should I navigate this?

Thanks a lot for reading

I am an engineering apprentice in Italy managing software for multi-million trench machinery. My boss spent months manipulating me, claiming he was "fighting HR" for my raise. After a huge argument where he told me to "ignore HR," HR texted me out of the blue to talk. I spilled everything, exposed his lies, and now the company is in panic/damage-control mode.

I’m on a 3-year apprenticeship contract (which legally mandates structured training) at a 3,000+ employee multinational. Instead of training:

\- Zero Training: I was left completely alone from day one to independently manage software for excavation machinery worth $20M–$30M each. • - The Travel Fight: Months ago, my boss tried to force me to use my own car and money for a business trip. I fought back, demanded a company car, and took the trip. Plot twist: My boss never filed the official transfer paperwork. Only he knew I was away, making the whole trip legally "invisible."

For months, my boss constantly repeated that he was "fighting hard" behind the scenes against HR to get me an immediate permanent contract and a raise. Recently, he tried to force me to personally pay for a passport and credit card to go on a trip outside the EU (despite being told at hiring I'd stay in Europe). When I refused, he flipped and said: "HR is the enemy blocking your raise. Ignore HR and do what I say”

I called him out. I asked him: "You say this is for training, but where has the training been this whole time?" He went dead silent. He then tried to flatter me, saying I was supervising two other guys on AI projects. I snapped back: "Supervising and teaching others is also training, right?" Silent again. He also openly snubbed me in meetings because I refuse to work unpaid 18-hour days (our overtime is paid a pathetic $3/hour).

A week later, HR texted me out of nowhere to talk. I strongly suspect my boss sent her to give me a disciplinary dressing-down, but I took the opportunity to spill everything: the car issues, the passport pressure, the unpaid overtime, and his months of lies about "fighting HR" for my contract. Surprise (maybe..) HR knew absolutely nothing. He had never requested a contract change or a raise for me.

HR went into instant damage control. She threw a verbal offer at me for an immediate permanent contract and a raise. I told her: "I'm fine with being trained, but not being a drain on costs. You decide." Two weeks later, the Tech Lead also approached me with weirdly specific questions: "Wouldn't you prefer a more serious contract? With a raise? That would be satisfying, right?" I shut it down by saying it wasn't my decision.

Since then, total radio silence. No written proposal.
HR told me she wanted to talk to me because the company's financial forecast for next year is bad, they know things aren't working, and they wanted to figure out what was wrong with the company. She said, "Don't worry, we'll confirm you, you're valuable." I don't believe a word.
My boss has backed off and reduced my workload from five things to one, but I still have total, independent responsibility over it.

My apprenticeship expires in X months. In Italy, the company can choose to let me go at the end of the apprenticeship without giving any legal reason. I am already updating my CV to build a safety net.

What is HR's actual angle here and How should I navigate this?

Thanks a lot for reading

I am an engineering apprentice in Italy managing software for multi-million trench machinery. My boss spent months manipulating me, claiming he was "fighting HR" for my raise. After a huge argument where he told me to "ignore HR," HR texted me out of the blue to talk. I spilled everything, exposed his lies, and now the company is in panic/damage-control mode.

I’m on a 3-year apprenticeship contract (which legally mandates structured training) at a 3,000+ employee multinational. Instead of training:

- Zero Training: I was left completely alone from day one to independently manage software for excavation machinery worth $20M–$30M each. • - The Travel Fight: Months ago, my boss tried to force me to use my own car and money for a business trip. I fought back, demanded a company car, and took the trip. Plot twist: My boss never filed the official transfer paperwork. Only he knew I was away, making the whole trip legally "invisible."

For months, my boss constantly repeated that he was "fighting hard" behind the scenes against HR to get me an immediate permanent contract and a raise. Recently, he tried to force me to personally pay for a passport and credit card to go on a trip outside the EU (despite being told at hiring I'd stay in Europe). When I refused, he flipped and said: "HR is the enemy blocking your raise. Ignore HR and do what I say”

I called him out. I asked him: "You say this is for training, but where has the training been this whole time?" He went dead silent. He then tried to flatter me, saying I was supervising two other guys on AI projects. I snapped back: "Supervising and teaching others is also training, right?" Silent again. He also openly snubbed me in meetings because I refuse to work unpaid 18-hour days (our overtime is paid a pathetic $3/hour).

A week later, HR texted me out of nowhere to talk. I strongly suspect my boss sent her to give me a disciplinary dressing-down, but I took the opportunity to spill everything: the car issues, the passport pressure, the unpaid overtime, and his months of lies about "fighting HR" for my contract. Surprise (maybe..) HR knew absolutely nothing. He had never requested a contract change or a raise for me.

HR went into instant damage control. She threw a verbal offer at me for an immediate permanent contract and a raise. I told her: "I'm fine with being trained, but not being a drain on costs. You decide." Two weeks later, the Tech Lead also approached me with weirdly specific questions: "Wouldn't you prefer a more serious contract? With a raise? That would be satisfying, right?" I shut it down by saying it wasn't my decision.

Since then, total radio silence. No written proposal.
HR told me she wanted to talk to me because the company's financial forecast for next year is bad, they know things aren't working, and they wanted to figure out what was wrong with the company. She said, "Don't worry, we'll confirm you, you're valuable." I don't believe a word.
My boss has backed off and reduced my workload from five things to one, but I still have total, independent responsibility over it.

My apprenticeship expires in X months. In Italy, the company can choose to let me go at the end of the apprenticeship without giving any legal reason. I am already updating my CV to build a safety net.

What is HR's actual angle here and How should I navigate this?

Thanks a lot for reading

I am an engineering apprentice in Italy managing software for multi-million trench machinery. My boss spent months manipulating me, claiming he was "fighting HR" for my raise. After a huge argument where he told me to "ignore HR," HR texted me out of the blue to talk. I spilled everything, exposed his lies, and now the company is in panic/damage-control mode.

I’m on a 3-year apprenticeship contract (which legally mandates structured training) at a 3,000+ employee multinational. Instead of training:

**•** Zero Training: I was left completely alone from day one to independently manage software for excavation machinery worth $20M–$30M each.
**•** The Travel Fight: Months ago, my boss tried to force me to use my own car and money for a business trip. I fought back, demanded a company car, and took the trip. Plot twist: My boss never filed the official transfer paperwork. Only he knew I was away, making the whole trip legally "invisible."

For months, my boss constantly repeated that he was "fighting hard" behind the scenes against HR to get me an immediate permanent contract and a raise. Recently, he tried to force me to personally pay for a passport and credit card to go on a trip outside the EU (despite being told at hiring I'd stay in Europe). When I refused, he flipped and said: "HR is the enemy blocking your raise. Ignore HR and do what I say”

I called him out. I asked him: "You say this is for training, but where has the training been this whole time?" He went dead silent. He then tried to flatter me, saying I was supervising two other guys on AI projects. I snapped back: "Supervising and teaching others is also training, right?" Silent again. He also openly snubbed me in meetings because I refuse to work unpaid 18-hour days (our overtime is paid a pathetic $3/hour).

A week later, HR texted me out of nowhere to talk. I strongly suspect my boss sent her to give me a disciplinary dressing-down, but I took the opportunity to spill everything: the car issues, the passport pressure, the unpaid overtime, and his months of lies about "fighting HR" for my contract. Surprise (maybe..) HR knew absolutely nothing. He had never requested a contract change or a raise for me.

HR went into instant damage control. She threw a verbal offer at me for an immediate permanent contract and a raise. I told her: "I'm fine with being trained, but not being a drain on costs. You decide." Two weeks later, the Tech Lead also approached me with weirdly specific questions: "Wouldn't you prefer a more serious contract? With a raise? That would be satisfying, right?" I shut it down by saying it wasn't my decision.

Since then, total radio silence. No written proposal.
HR told me she wanted to talk to me because the company's financial forecast for next year is bad, they know things aren't working, and they wanted to figure out what was wrong with the company. She said, "Don't worry, we'll confirm you, you're valuable." I don't believe a word.
My boss has backed off and reduced my workload from five things to one, but I still have total, independent responsibility over it.

My apprenticeship expires in X months. In Italy, the company can choose to let me go at the end of the apprenticeship without giving any legal reason. I am already updating my CV to build a safety net.

What is HR's actual angle here and How should I navigate this?

Thanks a lot for reading

I am an engineering apprentice in Italy managing software for multi-million trench machinery. My boss spent months manipulating me, claiming he was "fighting HR" for my raise. After a huge argument where he told me to "ignore HR," HR texted me out of the blue to talk. I spilled everything, exposed his lies, and now the company is in panic/damage-control mode.

I’m on a 3-year apprenticeship contract (which legally mandates structured training) at a 3,000+ employee multinational. Instead of training:

• Zero Training: I was left completely alone from day one to independently manage software for excavation machinery worth $20M–$30M each.
• The Travel Fight: Months ago, my boss tried to force me to use my own car and money for a business trip. I fought back, demanded a company car, and took the trip. Plot twist: My boss never filed the official transfer paperwork. Only he knew I was away, making the whole trip legally "invisible."

For months, my boss constantly repeated that he was "fighting hard" behind the scenes against HR to get me an immediate permanent contract and a raise. Recently, he tried to force me to personally pay for a passport and credit card to go on a trip outside the EU (despite being told at hiring I'd stay in Europe). When I refused, he flipped and said: "HR is the enemy blocking your raise. Ignore HR and do what I say”

I called him out. I asked him: "You say this is for training, but where has the training been this whole time?" He went dead silent. He then tried to flatter me, saying I was supervising two other guys on AI projects. I snapped back: "Supervising and teaching others is also training, right?" Silent again. He also openly snubbed me in meetings because I refuse to work unpaid 18-hour days (our overtime is paid a pathetic $3/hour).

A week later, HR texted me out of nowhere to talk. I strongly suspect my boss sent her to give me a disciplinary dressing-down, but I took the opportunity to spill everything: the car issues, the passport pressure, the unpaid overtime, and his months of lies about "fighting HR" for my contract. Surprise (maybe..) HR knew absolutely nothing. He had never requested a contract change or a raise for me.

HR went into instant damage control. She threw a verbal offer at me for an immediate permanent contract and a raise. I told her: "I'm fine with being trained, but not being a drain on costs. You decide." Two weeks later, the Tech Lead also approached me with weirdly specific questions: "Wouldn't you prefer a more serious contract? With a raise? That would be satisfying, right?" I shut it down by saying it wasn't my decision.

Since then, total radio silence. No written proposal.
HR told me she wanted to talk to me because the company's financial forecast for next year is bad, they know things aren't working, and they wanted to figure out what was wrong with the company. She said, "Don't worry, we'll confirm you, you're valuable." I don't believe a word.
My boss has backed off and reduced my workload from five things to one, but I still have total, independent responsibility over it.

My apprenticeship expires in X months. In Italy, the company can choose to let me go at the end of the apprenticeship without giving any legal reason. I am already updating my CV to build a safety net.

What is HR's actual angle here and How should I navigate this?

Thanks a lot for reading

Hello everyone,

I'm currently an engineering apprentice at a multinational company in Europe (Italy). The company has over 3,000 employees.

An apprenticeship is an apprenticeship contract where the employer is legally obligated to train you to achieve a certain level and salary.

This is my first work experience and this contract lasts 3 years, subsequently it will be converted into a permanent contract.

From the moment I was hired, I received almost no training, I was left alone from the start to independently manage the software for excavation machinery costing 20/30 million dollars each.

Over the past few months, I've repeatedly forced my manager to give me the instruments to do a business trip, since he wanted me to use my own car and pay my own expenses. I refused, and almost argued over the company car. So I got it and went on the trip (note: my manager didn't initiate the official transfer procedure; only he knew I was away, but I had the company car and was fine).

Over the past few months, I've been working on a very special and unusual project with some colleagues: three of us worked on it. Two weeks before it was due to go live, it turns out my colleagues had been doing something completely different for two months. Their software was empty, and I ran like a donkey trying to fix it.

I don't have a passport, and when I was hired, I was told I wouldn't be allowed outside of Europe. I asked my manager if he wanted me to take this trip outside of the EU, and he initially said no. A few days later, he called me and told me he didn't see me as aligned with the company: that I should take the trip because it was for training purposes.

Over the past few months, he's been telling me he's fighting to get me a permanent contract right away and a raise. This time, he's been repeating the same thing, saying that HR is actually denying me a raise and a permanent contract and that I should ignore HR and do what he says.

He kept insisting that I pay for my passport and company card to go outside Europe. I told him that doesn't work like that and that I absolutely listen to HR, who just a couple of months earlier had told me that at the end of the apprenticeship, we'll pay for your passport. Since he mentioned training, I also listed all the situations where there was everything but training and asked him: where's the training here? Where's the training here? He kept quiet. He then said, "You're important, you're supervising two other guys with AI projects." I said: "Supervising and teaching others is also training, right?" He kept quiet.

A week later, HR texted me to talk. I spilled the beans about everything: the car issue, the passport and bank card issue, the fact that he'd been promising me a contract change for months and said it was an HR issue (surprise: they didn't know anything), the fact that during meetings he snubbed me in front of colleagues because I'm not willing to work 18-hour days or overtime (each extra hour is $3).

HR was understanding (how strange?) and insistently made me a verbal offer, saying we'll quickly change your contract and give you a raise. I replied: I'm fine with being trained, but not being a drain on costs. You decide.

Two weeks later, the tech leader comes to me and asks: "Are you happy with your contract situation? Wouldn't it be better to move to a more serious contract first? That would be a great satisfaction, right? And you'd even get a raise." Questions like that. I stopped his attempt at dialogue by saying: "It's not up to me and I don't decide."

After that, all was quiet: no written proposal, no more verbal references to anything. HR told me the company was considering figuring out what was wrong with the company because next year isn’t prospering financially, and they know some things aren't working, which is why she wanted to talk with me. She also said, "Don't worry, we'll confirm you, you're very valuable." I don't believe her. I know she wasn't trying to figure out what was wrong with the company, but that my boss sent her to me, probably to give me a dressing down, which she didn't do.

This contract expires in X months (and the company can decide to lay me off for no reason and not confirm my permanent contract). I'll actively look for work months in advance and prepare a safety net.

My boss has calmed down; he's no longer making me handle five things independently, but only one: one for which I have full responsibility (which still exceeds my salary and contract responsibility. I have project managers asking me, "Are you doing it independently? Are they paying you well?," and all that sort of thing).

What advice do you have? How can I best navigate this situation?

Hello everyone,

I'm currently an engineering apprentice at a multinational company in Europe (Italy). The company has over 3,000 employees.

An apprenticeship is an apprenticeship contract where the employer is legally obligated to train you to achieve a certain level and salary.

This is my first work experience and this contract lasts 3 years, subsequently it will be converted into a permanent contract.

From the moment I was hired, I received almost no training, I was left alone from the start to independently manage the software for excavation machinery costing 20/30 million dollars each.

Over the past few months, I've repeatedly forced my manager to give me the instruments to do a business trip, since he wanted me to use my own car and pay my own expenses. I refused, and almost argued over the company car. So I got it and went on the trip (note: my manager didn't initiate the official transfer procedure; only he knew I was away, but I had the company car and was fine).

Over the past few months, I've been working on a very special and unusual project with some colleagues: three of us worked on it. Two weeks before it was due to go live, it turns out my colleagues had been doing something completely different for two months. Their software was empty, and I ran like a donkey trying to fix it.

I don't have a passport, and when I was hired, I was told I wouldn't be allowed outside of Europe. I asked my manager if he wanted me to take this trip outside of the EU, and he initially said no. A few days later, he called me and told me he didn't see me as aligned with the company: that I should take the trip because it was for training purposes.

Over the past few months, he's been telling me he's fighting to get me a permanent contract right away and a raise. This time, he's been repeating the same thing, saying that HR is actually denying me a raise and a permanent contract and that I should ignore HR and do what he says.

He kept insisting that I pay for my passport and company card to go outside Europe. I told him that doesn't work like that and that I absolutely listen to HR, who just a couple of months earlier had told me that at the end of the apprenticeship, we'll pay for your passport. Since he mentioned training, I also listed all the situations where there was everything but training and asked him: where's the training here? Where's the training here? He kept quiet. He then said, "You're important, you're supervising two other guys with AI projects." I said: "Supervising and teaching others is also training, right?" He kept quiet.

A week later, HR texted me to talk. I spilled the beans about everything: the car issue, the passport and bank card issue, the fact that he'd been promising me a contract change for months and said it was an HR issue (surprise: they didn't know anything), the fact that during meetings he snubbed me in front of colleagues because I'm not willing to work 18-hour days or overtime (each extra hour is $3).

HR was understanding (how strange?) and insistently made me a verbal offer, saying we'll quickly change your contract and give you a raise. I replied: I'm fine with being trained, but not being a drain on costs. You decide.

Two weeks later, the tech leader comes to me and asks: "Are you happy with your contract situation? Wouldn't it be better to move to a more serious contract first? That would be a great satisfaction, right? And you'd even get a raise." Questions like that. I stopped his attempt at dialogue by saying: "It's not up to me and I don't decide."

After that, all was quiet: no written proposal, no more verbal references to anything. HR told me the company was considering figuring out what was wrong with the company because next year isn’t prospering financially, and they know some things aren't working, which is why she wanted to talk with me. She also said, "Don't worry, we'll confirm you, you're very valuable." I don't believe her. I know she wasn't trying to figure out what was wrong with the company, but that my boss sent her to me, probably to give me a dressing down, which she didn't do.

This contract expires in X months (and the company can decide to lay me off for no reason and not confirm my permanent contract). I'll actively look for work months in advance and prepare a safety net.

My boss has calmed down; he's no longer making me handle five things independently, but only one: one for which I have full responsibility (which still exceeds my salary and contract responsibility. I have project managers asking me, "Are you doing it independently? Are they paying you well?," and all that sort of thing).

What advice do you have? How can I best navigate this situation?

Hello everyone,

I'm currently an engineering apprentice at a multinational company in Europe (Italy). The company has over 3,000 employees.

An apprenticeship is an apprenticeship contract where the employer is legally obligated to train you to achieve a certain level and salary.

This is my first work experience and this contract lasts 3 years, subsequently it will be converted into a permanent contract.

From the moment I was hired, I received almost no training, I was left alone from the start to independently manage the software for excavation machinery costing 20/30 million dollars each.

Over the past few months, I've repeatedly forced my manager to give me the instruments to do a business trip, since he wanted me to use my own car and pay my own expenses. I refused, and almost argued over the company car. So I got it and went on the trip (note: my manager didn't initiate the official transfer procedure; only he knew I was away, but I had the company car and was fine).

Over the past few months, I've been working on a very special and unusual project with some colleagues: three of us worked on it. Two weeks before it was due to go live, it turns out my colleagues had been doing something completely different for two months. Their software was empty, and I ran like a donkey trying to fix it.

I don't have a passport, and when I was hired, I was told I wouldn't be allowed outside of Europe. I asked my manager if he wanted me to take this trip outside of the EU, and he initially said no. A few days later, he called me and told me he didn't see me as aligned with the company: that I should take the trip because it was for training purposes.

Over the past few months, he's been telling me he's fighting to get me a permanent contract right away and a raise. This time, he's been repeating the same thing, saying that HR is actually denying me a raise and a permanent contract and that I should ignore HR and do what he says.

He kept insisting that I pay for my passport and bank card to go outside Europe. I told him that doesn't work like that and that I absolutely listen to HR, who just a couple of months earlier had told me that at the end of the apprenticeship, we'll pay for your passport. Since he mentioned training, I also listed all the situations where there was everything but training and asked him: where's the training here? Where's the training here? He kept quiet. He then said, "You're important, you're supervising two other guys with AI projects." I said: "Supervising and teaching others is also training, right?" He kept quiet.

A week later, HR texted me to talk. I spilled the beans about everything: the car issue, the passport and bank card issue, the fact that he'd been promising me a contract change for months and said it was an HR issue (surprise: they didn't know anything), the fact that during meetings he snubbed me in front of colleagues because I'm not willing to work 18-hour days or overtime (each extra hour is $3).

HR was understanding (how strange?) and insistently made me a verbal offer, saying we'll quickly change your contract and give you a raise. I replied: I'm fine with being trained, but not being a drain on costs. You decide.

Two weeks later, the tech leader comes to me and asks: "Are you happy with your contract situation? Wouldn't it be better to move to a more serious contract first? That would be a great satisfaction, right? And you'd even get a raise." Questions like that. I stopped his attempt at dialogue by saying: "It's not up to me and I don't decide."

After that, all was quiet: no written proposal, no more verbal references to anything. HR told me the company was considering figuring out what was wrong with the company because next year isn’t prospering financially, and they know some things aren't working, which is why she wanted to talk with me. She also said, "Don't worry, we'll confirm you, you're very valuable." I don't believe her. I know she wasn't trying to figure out what was wrong with the company, but that my boss sent her to me, probably to give me a dressing down, which she didn't do.

This contract expires in X months (and the company can decide to lay me off for no reason and not confirm my permanent contract). I'll actively look for work months in advance and prepare a safety net.

My boss has calmed down; he's no longer making me handle five things independently, but only one: one for which I have full responsibility (which still exceeds my salary and contract responsibility. I have project managers asking me, "Are you doing it independently? Are they paying you well?," and all that sort of thing).

What advice do you have? How can I best navigate this situation?

Ciao a tutti,
Voglio condividere con voi la situazione surreale in cui mi trovo e chiedere qualche consiglio, perché credo di aver appena sganciato una bomba atomica a lavoro (ma con stile).

Il contesto:
Ufficialmente ho un contratto di apprendistato, ma in realtà gestisco compiti e responsabilità da Senior. Formazione ricevuta? Zero. Sono stato buttato nella mischia e ho dovuto imparare tutto da solo, gestendo progetti complessi mentre il mio capo passava i mesi a promettermi un contratto a tempo indeterminato, sostenendo che "le Risorse Umane (HR) stanno bloccando tutto e non vogliono cambiare il contratto".

Il punto di rottura:
La scorsa settimana, il mio capo mi ha chiesto di fare l'ennesima trasferta all'estero. Ho chiesto se l'azienda coprisse le spese per il passaporto. La sua risposta: "No, il passaporto te lo paghi da solo, ma ci vai perché è 'formativo'". Per coronare il tutto, ha cercato di convincermi a usare la mia auto privata per lunghi viaggi senza una procedura ufficiale e, durante una riunione davanti a tutti, mi ha umiliato dicendo che "non ho voglia di lavorare 18 ore".

La mossa:
A quel punto, non ci ho visto più. Ho elencato, punto per punto, tutte le responsabilità da Senior che ho ricoperto senza alcuna supervisione, chiedendogli: "Tu questa la chiami formazione? Dov'è la formazione prevista dal mio contratto?". Silenzio totale da parte sua.

Il colpo di scena:
Una settimana dopo, l'HR mi convoca. Ho vuotato il sacco: i commenti sulle 18 ore dove mi snobbava davanti ai colleghi per non farle, la mancanza di formazione, le spese del passaporto e le false promesse sul contratto.
Il risultato? Le Risorse Umane sono cadute dalle nuvole. Non sapevano nulla delle promesse del mio capo e mi hanno detto che se avessi avuto bisogno di un contratto a tempo indeterminato — ad esempio per un mutuo — me lo avrebbero concesso immediatamente.

La ciliegina sulla torta:
Qualche giorno dopo, il Tech Lead passa a "sondare il terreno", cercando di convincermi che "finire l'apprendistato in anticipo è un grande traguardo" e che mi daranno un aumento, cosa ne pensassi a riguardo etc

I miei dubbi:
Tra pochi mesi finisce comunque il mio apprendistato.

Perché offrirmi l'indeterminato proprio ora? Se vogliono lasciarmi a casa alla fine del periodo formativo, perché esporsi adesso con un aumento?

Come mi muovo? Devo accettare subito o usare ciò per negoziare di più? E per le ferie "invisibili", devo tornare dall'HR?

Grazie dei consigli.

Hi everyone,

I want to share the surreal situation I’m in and get some advice, because I think I just set off a massive bomb at work (but with style).

The context:

I’m officially on an apprenticeship contract, but in reality, I’m handling Senior tasks and responsibilities. Training received? Zero. I was thrown into the deep end and had to learn everything myself, managing complex projects while my boss spent months promising me a permanent contract, claiming that "HR is blocking it and doesn't want to change the contract."

The breaking point:

Last week, my boss asked me to go on yet another business trip abroad. I asked if the company covers passport fees. His response: "No, you pay for the passport yourself, but you’re going because it's 'educational'." To top it off, he tried to convince me to use my private car for long trips without an official procedure, and in a meeting in front of everyone, he humiliated me by saying I "don't feel like working 18 hours."

The move:

At that point, I lost it. I listed, point by point, all the Senior responsibilities I’ve covered without any supervision, asking him: "You call this training? Where is the training mentioned in my contract?" Total silence on his part.

The plot twist:

A week later, HR calls me in. I spilled everything: the 18-hour comments, the lack of training, the passport fees, and the empty promises about my contract.

The result? HR was blindsided. They knew nothing about my boss's promises and, to avoid legal trouble (since I’m effectively an underpaid "de facto senior"), they told me that if I needed a permanent contract—for a mortgage, for example—they’d give it to me immediately.

The icing on the cake:

A few days later, the Tech Lead comes by to "test the waters," trying to convince me that "finishing your apprenticeship early is a great achievement" and that they’ll give me a raise.

My question for you:

It’s clear they are now terrified of a lawsuit for misclassification of duties and are trying to "buy me off" with a permanent contract to cover up my boss’s mess.

I’m looking for advice on how to handle the "aftermath" with my boss, who now knows he’s been exposed.

As if that weren't enough, since I spoke to HR, the office atmosphere has become unbearable. My boss has started acting openly punitive and vengeful:

• He is systematically blocking my vacation days (which were already planned).

• He pretends not to see my formal requests on the company portal.

• When I point it out, he dodges the subject or ignores me completely.

It’s clear he hasn't swallowed the fact that I called him out in front of HR, and now he’s trying to make me pay by making my life miserable.

What do you think? How should I handle the "ghosted" vacation requests? Should I report this retaliatory behavior to HR as well, or do I risk looking like someone who complains about every little thing?

About me: engineer in Europe (Italy)