Advice needed

Demonseed · July 1, 2009, 11:26 PM

I am reaching a breaking point with my new job. I am really starting to think, the problem with the United States is not the Government but lazy freaking people, I am not being Political just stating the obvious. This morning I get a call asking if i can work tonight after I do my regular 8 hour shift, I say okay, 4 hours, if you need me no big deal. I show up, the guy I am supposed to be 'bailing out', practically died on the job, he has been working nights, knows the facility, and it was like pulling teeth to even get the basic information of what needs to be done.

I start hanging base, he is doing some small areas of carpet tile, okay I wasn't told there was 1,000 feet of base that had to be hung, I was told 75-100 yards of carpet tile. Job has to get done, I hung like 400 feet of base, on unpainted, freshly painted, around drop clothes, crapola every where in rooms, uneven inside corners, outside corners everywhere, Painters complaining, roll goods and toeless base just to make life easier.

This guy did maybe 40 yards of carpet tile in clean, empty rooms in the same amount of time. So what is the deal? He had another 40 yards of carpet tile to go it was 10pm, it is messed up, if he went on the base, and I did the carpet tile, it would have been done, and if I am lucky he would have gotten 100 feet of base up.

It was an hour drive each way for me, I had to shower and eat, and I have to be back at the shop before 7am. Should I feel bad about this? I walk over at one point, all his crap is on the floor, knee pads, pouch, etc, and he is outside talking on the phone. I finally catch him actually working, 10 small rooms, know what he was doing (in an after hour job, empty building except for other trades) he is gluing one room at a time, putting a blower on it, installing, and then doing the same to the next room.

I can't work like this. I have been trying to not think about this stuff, but my god, they have so much dead weight, i am going to lose it. After I get back from CT, it is time to sit down with the owner, and say something. Guys can't even follow a chalk line, or it never occurs to them the wall they measured off isn't straight. Anyway, overall it is a good company, the help has been milking them. Should I stir the pot, tell them what is what, or become fat and lazy?

rusty baker · July 1, 2009, 11:51 PM

Sometimes they don't like hearing the truth. One time, my helper and I went to work for a retailer doing identical 200 yd tract homes. His regular hourly crew was getting behind. We were doing 2 1/2 houses a week by the yard, they were doing 1 a week by the hour. He called me in and praised our work and asked me why we were so much faster than his crew. I told him I couldn't afford to take 2 hour lunches under a shade tree like his guys. He let us go at the end of the week.

Dobby Tappet · July 2, 2009, 05:41 AM

Should I stir the pot, tell them what is what, or become fat and lazy?

No, no and no.

Should I stir the pot?

No,

What will you gain by pissing in the well from which you are dipping? Our job is to do the task before us to the best of our ability. We do not work this way for the boss or the customer, we work this way for us. Because it's part of what makes us the type of professional we are.

Tell them what is what?

No!

Other then feeling good for a few minutes, what will be gained? Listen, whether we realize it or not, we are all in sales. The ultimate success or failure in this life is greatly impacted by our ability to remain cognoscente of this fact.

Keep in mind, I am not saying to remain silent and never share what you see so obviously. The advice I am offering is this, in any sales process, the point of time in which we provide information often has more effect and impact then what is even said. Sales is as much about proper timing as it is pertinent facts.

How do we know when to share what? By listening. By listening and waiting. If they don't ask, they don't care, or, at the very least, they're mind is not yet open to receive. Case in point: our youth. Every one of us can look back to our youth and recall great information or advice an older person tried to impart upon us, yet, because our minds were not open at the time, those pearls of wisdom and sage advice fell on deaf ears.

Become fat or lazy?

No.

What will you gain by pissing in the well from which you are dipping? Our job is to do the task before us to the best of our ability. We do not work this way for the boss or the customer, we work this way for us. Because it's part of what makes us the type of professional we are.

So what should you do? Well, since you asked for advice, mine for you is this. Stop watching and comparing yourself to others. You are an exceptional professional, a virtual super star. Accept this fact and do what you do for you because it is part of what makes you the exception, not the rule. Accept this fact. Embrace it. Live it.

Pointing out how inept and incompetent others are will not make your star shine brighter, it will only make you appear like an egotistical self centered jerk and we all know that's not who you really are. Again, be who you are and work like you were raised for you and no one else. When you do this, people will see the real you and will be beating a path to your door.

Hope this helps.

With kindest regards,

Dobby

BrianM · July 2, 2009, 07:48 AM

You're pointing out one of the reasons I do everything I can to opt out of night work. Almost all my jobs run from 6AM to 2PM. I don't even stop for lunch because I absolutely need to beat the Los Angeles traffic. When the shop can't man up the job with top quality help it affects the profit margin but 10-15 minutes before 2 I'm taking off the pads, dropping the pouch and belt, gathering my bat and ball and going home. It's ALWAYS about an hour to get home so I want my key in the ignition at exactly 2PM. It's annoying to watch the stumblebums going back and forth all day tripping over their own tools and trash that they throw in front of themselves every chance they get but it's not costing me anything. Contrast that with the nightwork where YOU can't leave til certain areas are complete, clean and safe. Now this guys stupidity and inefficiencies are directly impacting when you can call it quits.

Boy I'll tell you what. I can be a nice guy, especially around women, children and pets. But you stand between me and getting home to my wife and kids after 8-13 hours on my knees and you're going to meet a man you won't soon forget.

Here's a good line I like to use on those guys; Hey do you have any kids? I sure hope you don't ever do piecework. Your kids will F'n starve to death. Depending on how hard this guy is stroking it I may or may not even pretend to be joking.

DJ · July 2, 2009, 09:15 AM

if it was as a messy as you said it was

. i would of walked

cannot work in a unorganized enviroment

BrianM · July 2, 2009, 10:26 AM

Oh yeah, ADVICE.

Those bums will always bounce around from shop to shop until they are washed out of the trade or get their act together. That's never going to change for us hourly guys who don't hire and fire. One of the reasons we choose to be workers instead of "the boss" is because we don't have patience to suffer the fools. As your employer gains respect for your work ethic and performance over time you WILL be expected to evaluate the other workers in the shop and help the owners decide who works when and where, who sits home when things get slow and who gets sent packing altogether. Until then you have to keep your nose to the grindstone and continue to prove yourself. It's a marathon, not a 100 yard dash.

mcbrides · July 2, 2009, 10:55 AM

Dobby Tappet said

Again, be who you are and work like you were raised for you and no one else. When you do this, people will see the real you and will be beating a path to your door.

Well said, Dobby.

ArtisanConst MN · July 7, 2009, 08:51 PM

Here,Here.

Keep it to yourself. Be true to your own work ethic and move on.

Be content with the work you DO have.

There will ALWAYS be the lazy ones. Good or Bad economy.
Go home, have a beverage, and forget it.

3rdfloordesign · July 7, 2009, 11:49 PM

As a former manager for a floor covering company I would say:

If what you say is true, management already know about who is a good employee and who is not. Sometimes they allow it due to seniority, or lack of qualified staff. If you keep doing good work and showing yourself as a leader eventually you will be rewarded.

Stirring the pot will make life difficult for you needlessly. You are an employee not a business owner. That means you get the pros and cons of both.

DJ · July 8, 2009, 10:52 AM

yeah

, when i was an employee

i was rewarded

.... i was handed the big 300-500 yard jobs

(thick ber ber,pattern,rubber pad) because the other installers were getting call backs

rusty baker · July 8, 2009, 10:57 AM

I remember those days. Working for the largest retailer in KC and doing pattern berbers everyday. Because I didn't get complaints. Sometimes you wondered if you would be better off to screw up something.

Demonseed · July 11, 2009, 01:16 AM

A general update: I spent the last week working in CT and I think I hav decided my best course of action is to work there again. I prefer subbing, and can make more money. So, no need to rock the boat, giving my notice this week.

ArtisanConst MN · July 11, 2009, 11:35 AM

Great.
It sounds like you are more content being an independant contractor anyway.
Some folks are employees and others would rather be their own boss.

Pros and Cons to both...
Wish you the best.

mcbrides · July 11, 2009, 06:57 PM

Demonseed:

Dave complains daily, but if he had to take a shop gig, he would have to give up the freedom of starting jobs when HE wants to, booking the time HE wants to do it in, and being home when HE wants to be at the end of the day. People in this business call him a prima donna, but he's good at what he does so he can say, "because I can", and do it his way. It's a helluva ride.

Deb

Demonseed · July 11, 2009, 10:29 PM

I have a shop in CT that will give me 5 days a week. As a sub, and I know it is better for me to sub than to work hourly, money wise it is a no brainer, but everything else, makes this decision easier. I was in CT for that Hotel, a few things went awry, and the next thing I knew, i was flooded with work. I even ran into an old friend, that bailed me out on a job, I owe him big, but I would rather be faced with a 12 hour day, than know I am going to be done at the same time every day.

The challenge is gone, in NJ, I don't come home tired, I come home bored. Last week, I ripped up about 900 yards of carpet for the hotel, maybe more, did some prep work, basically laughed off Tuesday, than did about 400 yards of carpet, 250 sf of vct with rip up (half 2 layer rip), a ton of base, worked a few long days, was tired, but felt good.

Monday I have to go in, work, than talk to the bosses, basically a 3 week notice, I feel bad, but life is life. (it makes it easier knowing I did not get my paid holiday or overtime I was told i would get).

Anyways, that is the situation. Some people will be unhappy, but oh well, I can't sit on my buttocks 15 hours a week, work 25 hours a week, get home and try to figure out what to do.

In CT, I will be getting home trying to figure out how I will get the work done, and to me, that is what i want.

mcbrides said

Demonseed:

Dave complains daily, but if he had to take a shop gig, he would have to give up the freedom of starting jobs when HE wants to, booking the time HE wants to do it in, and being home when HE wants to be at the end of the day. People in this business call him a prima donna, but he's good at what he does so he can say, "because I can", and do it his way. It's a helluva ride.

Deb