Career 'suicide'

[DMK]

Anyone ever just had "enough" ??

Last week I committed career 'suicide'. After 31 yrs of being a maintenance mechanic/millwright at a large steel producer.
I walked into the bosses office after making an appointment to see him, (the only way to get his attention).
I told him I'm no longer interested in doing the assigned tasks (way above my pay grade) and I wanted to be sent out of the dept. to work for another dept., anywhere but for him.
The last year and a half have been a steady increase of work load with little to no support, doing other's work when they are off on vacation or other assignments.
I now await their decision as he "needs" the talk it out with his manager to decide what to do with me. I know there won't be an offer of a wage increase, even that wouldn't entice me to stay. They will also have trouble finding another sucker to replace me as all around me agree I'm 'stupid' doing so much for so little...
It reminds me of the old line of " We the unwilling, let by the unknowing, do the unnecessary , for the ungrateful" except there is no 'we'.
I just want to go back to mindlessly turning wrenches for a living.
The magic words he needed to hear was " the added stress of the 'extra' tasks is starting to impact my family life, I'm drinking too much and fighting with the wife".
If I could afford to retire I would, but I need about another 5 yrs. or a lottery win...

Thanks for letting me vent.... it's very therapeutic.
I'll get off my box now....

[Chingas]

Vent away Darryl, we double as a support group!

Took a boatload of balls to do what you did and I'm glad you did. It's your life. You need to be happy, not only for you but for your family. It makes me sick when bosses abuse their employees, taking advantage of the "nice" or the ones who won't "complain."

I have many friends in these situations that refuse to say anything to their bosses as the workload increases, the hours increase and the pay stays the same. All the while, their health suffers, their family life suffers, their attitude suffers, and well, they generaly just turn into mindless bastards who do nothing but eat, drink and breath work.

It's no way to live!

So, Kick Ass and take names Brother. Don't let those bastards throw you around like a little *****!

Wow, somehow, your vent in turn made me vent! Bonus!

Good luck with the lotto too!

[Cigarcop]

I feel for you brother but I wouldn't say.... "They will also have trouble finding another sucker to replace me as all around me agree I'm 'stupid' doing so much for so little..." because there is always someone to do the work.

Best of luck

[Ogre]

Good luck brother, will say a prayer for you.

[Gophernut]

It sounds like you got some things off your chest that needed to be done. Good luck with everything!

[CigarNut]

Good luck -- I hope you get what you want out of this!

[Apoco]

All I can tell you is that you aren't alone in this. I've been doing 3 people's work and am pretty much at my wits end (did 45 hours this week. even with the Monday holiday). There's something to be said for being happy.

I wish I could give you advice, but all I can say is good luck.

[The Poet]

Best of luck to you, brother. Me, I get too few hours and just enough money to cover my bills and occasionally buy some "cheap" cigars, but I'm relaxed and reasonably happy. You can't buy that.

[BlackDog]

Darryl, I applaud your courage to step forward and do the right thing for you and your family. Your health, peace of mind, and family unity are worth far more than a paycheck.

About 16 years ago I quit a high paying job. I was on the "fast track" in a strong consulting company, and could have made a lot of money had I stayed. I was on my way to a junior partnership within a few years. But, I was only home 2 days per week, and my wife and I were on the fast track to a divorce. Thankfully we decided to make a career and lifestyle change before things got bad enough to actually get divorced. Now, 16 years later, I still make less than I did then. But the quality of our lives is so much better.

When I made the decision to leave my job, I had an interview with the man who was at that time the CEO of Alcoa. He had announced his plans to retire at the end of 6 months, and the Alcoa board was doing their background work to put a new CEO in place. He told me something I'll never forget. He said, "When you get to be my age, you won't wish you worked more hours. You'll wish you had spent more time with your family." That from the CEO of one of the largest companies in America. So I took his advice and made the change.

It's better to eat hotdogs with the people you love than to eat steak alone.

Darryl, I wish you much success and happiness. I respect your decision very much.

[Starscream]

Thoughts and prayers sent for you, Darryl.

[mash]

I'm curious, are you a union shop. From your post it sounds not.

[BigFrank]

I feel ya on this one. It's a similar situation to mine. I ended up leaving my career and starting another one.

[St. Lou Stu]

I'm there now and will be signing up for classes to finish my electrical engineering degree shortly.
Of course, my employer covering 50% of the schooling is a major motivator.

Good luck to you, my brother!

[mosesbotbol]

Even if you made more money, if your home is not in harmony- it's all in vain. A great structure is built on a solid foundation. You have your priorities straight.

It sounds like you see this now. This will work out for you. Proceed being upbeat and matter-of-fact with your employer. You don't know how they'll respond, but don't create and adversary. Think of your employer and you as "partners" when talking with them.

Good luck.

[Ahbroody]

Agreed family comes first in my home. I make a lot less then I could because I want to be home with my kids. I have passed up promotions and taken less so I can focus on what matters most to me. Family first.

[DMK]

Well...
So far no movement. I found out why today, my manager is moving on to another dept. and has left this on the table for the next guy to deal with...
It's been a month and it is still in the hands of the next level of manager, who I'm seeing tomorrow to find out what if anything is going to be done.
I spoke briefly with my immediate manager's replacement today and he toed the line of "It's in his manager's hands"....
Next step after seeing the next level of management is...
Nothing like working in a poisoned work environment...
Damn I wish I could win enough in the damn lottery to retire.....

Thanks for letting me vent again, I feel better.

[Chingas]

I was wondering what was going on with you. Hang in there Brother. Hopefully things I'll workout better for you in the end.

[neoflex]

Wishing the best for you Darryl. Sometimes speaking up actually works and gets sh*t done because most employees are to fearful of losing their jobs to speak up. I am usually the bog mouth and more often than not I usually find it does more good than harm and tends to make my employers respect me a little more for speaking up. Good luck again.

[SNKBYT]

good luck with your job........family does come first......its easier to find a new line of work than a new family (hope that sounds right)

[357]

Prayers sent Darryl. I'm sure one way or another you'll find peace. Either they will give you what you want or you'll move on. It might not happen as quickly as you'd like, but I'm sure it will work out. It's good you had the guts to stand up and say something. You might get relief and not have to change employers. Without speaking your mind there would be 0% chance of that.