Question for those familiar with work place management ethics

[kneedownnate]

Quick background;  I got written up twice today for things which happened yesterday.  I believe my boss was forced into writing me up for the first one, but the second one was a convenient kick while I was down by two managers who don't like me and aren't even my manager. 

A customer called in last night with an issue with his boat, the 2nd issue for him that day.  He proposed we send somebody out in the morning and I said that was fine, but I could come out since I'd still be around, but he still said he'd rather have somebody come out in the morning since he was fine where he was.  I was written up for not doing my job, despite the fact that I was just appeasing the customer.

Earlier that day I spoke to the same customer on that boat and went to throw a part on a boat I was working on after talking to him.  The manager (who's a complete loud mouth peice of white trash) kept telling me we should go on the chase call immediately and I told him I just needed to check something on the boat real quick and we'd go out.  He wasted too much time saying the same thing over and over and I just kep telling him we'd get to them quickly.  I disconnected 2 wires, plugged in the sensor, started the generator and it died.  I gathered up my tools and walked down the dock to the other mechanic on duty, told him we had a chase call and asked if he wanted to do it or if he wanted me to do it.  He said he'd do it, gathered his tools up and was out within probably 10 minutes of me speaking to the customer. 

After getting my first write up I went and fixed a broken work boat, then was summoned to the break room by 2 other managers when I returned to the doc.  As one closed the door I noticed a paper in the hand of the other, asked what was up and the dirtbag manager said "Double whammy, you're gettin two today!" and laughed.  That's wherein my biggest issue lies.  I think it's pretty fucked up that management laughed when telling me I was getting a writeup, especially when it seemed to be in a malicious manner from a manager who's repeatedly said "flopp the mechanics".

So for those who know the laws, does this cross any lines?  It's fucked up to get 2 writeups in the same day, especially when I'll have been there for 14 years in a week, and it'll only take one more to get me out of there, but it just seems like the manager crossed a line when he laughed at me and it's eating at me more and more. 

I told my manager and showed him a copy of the writeup, which now sits open on my bench next to the other, and he said he'd see what he could do, but I said "what can you do, it's a writeup, and a writeup is a writeup!".

I've voiced my opinion on the offending manager to the assistent general manager when they promoted him last year, as well as this year when he was again bumped up to a management position, but he really only offers a set of ears to listen.  I'll be cornering my boss asap to find out why he wrote me up rather than simply talking to me, especially since he knows I respond much better to a simple talking to rather than a writeup, but I already know the other 2 managers found out I got written up earlier and jumped at the chance to get me closer to being fired.  I even said something along those lines when I was signing it after one said "it just goes in your file".  I replied "yea, but now it'll only take one more and I'll be gone!". 

[hilux-1983]

As far as "ethics" goes, I don't think there is one ounce of ethics left in the workplace anymore. Especially lately. I've been(was) with GM for about 9 yrs and change. I was a highly skilled tech and then moved to shop foreman and then Asst Service Mgr/Service Advisor. I got the "were so sorry to have to tell you" speech last July. I've gone through a lot of what your going through. The only advice I have is the advice that I was once given. I am a Christian and I trust the Lord with all of my life.  As for the unfair treatment, I say use the chain of command and use it wisely, play the game as long as you can. In the meantime, start looking for another job....

[kneedownnate]

Thanks man.  I've already come to the conclusion that I need to find another job because my back is constantly hurting since the majority of the work I do has me bent over slightly, which is the biggest agitator to my issues.  Another thing that sucks about this is I thought this summer was going to royally suck since we were running a skeleton crew, but after having 72 boats out with the college kids over memorial and only having 4 mechanical failures, I was starting to feel fairly confident that the summer was going to go fine.  That's out the window now!

One problem with this is, management has been told by the gm that he'll back their play no matter what, and since these 2 and another openly have it in for me, all they need to do is mis-interpret a situation or fabricate one out of nothing and I'll be gone.  They don't know how fucked they'll be because they don't pay attention to what really goes on and don't know the half of what I actually do.  I've even been trying to schmooze all 3 and pretend like I like them, but it obviously has got me nowhere 

[hilux-1983]

Be your self and dont sell out to their antics. You'll respect yourself in the morning

[kneedownnate]

I have been myself for many years and pride myself on having pride in that, as well as having pride in knowing nobody else checks the boats out more thoroughly than me before they go out or has as high a standard for their work.  like this just takes the wind out of your sales, but as pissed as I was about the whole situation I still busted ass to get things done today and clocked out on the later side of time.

[Stocker]

Wish I could offer advice but I really do not know the best way to deal with this situation. The last thing anyone needs is manager(s) breathing down their neck and pecking away at petty issues. Last night you offered to go but the customer requested someone come in the morning instead -- no way should you be written up for trying to satisfy the customer! As to the earlier chase call (and knowing the manager dislikes you), maybe you should have stopped what you were doing and left immediately, or asked him if you could finish and then go, just to pacify the SOB. Were you written up for the delay, or for failing to go? I don't see how they could write you up for failing to go, since you started to but the other mechanic said he would instead. At any rate, a lousy 10 minute delay is nit-picking and petty.

Document everything while it's fresh in your mind, try to nail down who said what and dates/times as accurately as possible. Doesn't need to be wordy, just the facts as you know them. If this goes any further and your job is on the line, you'll need to have as much accurate information as possible written down -- do not try to commit everything to memory. Make copies -- if you hand them a fact sheet, it just might 'disappear'. And if they decide to play hardball, you may need to speak with an attorney, or the state labor relations board.

Good luck   and keep us posted.

[hilux-1983]

Since being unemployed, I've gone back to school. I'm in school taking courses to become a Surgical Technician otherwise known as a Scrub Tech. It's crazy going back to school after being out over 20 yrs. I thought I was gonna be in the same vocation the rest of my life. It's funny listening to all of the kids in class talk about their "problems" ie.. couldn't get into the club cuz the fake ID didn't work, dad said he was gonna take my keys if I didn't get my grades up, mom is all over me cuz she doesn't like the way I dress. It's just funny how they think

[Stocker]

Hmmmmm, I have recently heard of classes for wind generator technicians. Could possibly be a demand for that sort of work, especially looking ahead....  and might have good pay & benefits too.   

Would probably involve some travel, but nothing a single guy couldn't handle.  Come to think of it, my career started with a traveling job..... 9+ years on the road.

[Toymin8r]

You need to develope a major back injury right before the next seasonal rush (4th of July).  Go to the doctor and claim workmans comp.   Milk that for as long as you can then quit.

[red]

write down everything that has happened, show it to your supervisor, and let your supervisor know that you are going to show the same documents to the boss then take the documents to him and let him know what is going on. bring records of the work you do, extra hours you pull, thorough checks, etc. let the boss know that the other managers have a vendetta against you, make sure to bring up their laughing about your write ups and the conversation you had with the customer with how he wanted someone to come in the morning, even though you offered to come that night. i bet at the very least you can get that write up removed

[brainlessfool]

are you union?

[WHITE_TRASH]

Disconnect the dock from the shore and light it on fire.  If you have people like that at work no sense if staying there, it WON'T get any better unless you are gone or they are dead.  Pick your poison.

[abnormaltoy]

RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE!!!

About the best I can offer is...GTF outta there as soon as you can make other plans. Go to school, learn something new. Then, like a wise man once said, free float the dock and have a Viking funeral one it!

Oh...and be professional on your last day. No pissing on the bosses chair!

[hilux-1983]

RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE!!!

About the best I can offer is...GTF outta there as soon as you can make other plans. Go to school, learn something new. Then, like a wise man once said, free float the dock and have a Viking funeral one it!

Oh...and be professional on your last day. No pissing on the bosses chair!

DITTO!!!!

[Stocker]

I've heard of burning your bridges behind you....  never heard of burning the dock behind you!      

[kneedownnate]

Talked to the boss today and the idea for the first writeup was his alone.  He wanted to give me a wake up call since this has apparently been an issue, despite the fact that that was the first time I've not gone on an evening chase call.  Burn me once...

He supported the second writeup, despite the fact that it was essentially about the same thing as the first one, which seems kinda wrong to me.  But what do I know, I'm just a pee on   

When I do go out I'll go out with a fizzle.  I'm not much for a scene, but I'm not much for keeping my thoughts to myself either, so they'll for sure know what's up.  Half the people there are parolees, as is the offending manager, so it just seems like their ultimate goal is to have the place run by a bunch of douches with a colorfull history 

I really don't want to have to leave, if I do they'll win.  There are assholes and egomaniacal managers everywhere, I'll just be stepping from one shithole to another.  I've just tried to make the best of a crappy situation, but this just stirs the pot a bit more than I like.

As for reporting it to my supervisor, my boss is my supervisor, and it did no good.  He asked the other manager about it and he of course denied laughing, so he left it at that.  I told him I felt it was highly unprofessional and would be seeking rectification at a higher level.  That scumbag needs to be knocked down a peg and realize his does stink!  I hate to see any family left without a means of income, but he doesn't deserve the job he has and it's disturbed me from day one.

[kneedownnate]

are you union?

Negative cap'n 

[Cheesemaker]

Nate, the best thing to do is to look for another job, if you can!  It seems like this happens every year with your managers/co-workers.  I'm with your dad, with your mechanical experience, I'd look into the wind turbines, as long as your not afraid of heights.    Heck, look into a parts house.  

Have you gone and talked to the owners of the company?  You mention managers, super's and boss's, but no owners.  And if you got written up for the same thing twice, then that's a no go.  How can you get two checks against you, for one action.  Sounds like they are doing a fast track to get you out.  You'd be better to to leave this job for another, rather than they giving you the walking papers and thinking wtf am I going to do now! 

[kneedownnate]

I've many times told my boss that if they had to get rid of me I need them to do it in a manner which allows me to collect unemployment.  Yea, I'd much rather have a replacement job lined up before quitting, but if they let me go I'd like to at least have something coming in to keep me afloat! 

I'm tired of wrenching, it's just grown too old!  The pisser is, trying to get a replacement job making what I make will be very hard right now.  Not that I make a lot, but I am the 2nd highest paid non-salary employee in the company, a fact that I think makes some of the managers jealous.  They need to grow a pair, I've been there nearly 14 years and my wafe barely reflects that!

[brainlessfool]

Half the people there are parolees, as is the offending manager,

do you realy mean that the whole is now on parole?

[79coyotefrg]

I've many times told my boss that if they had to get rid of me I need them to do it in a manner which allows me to collect unemployment.  Yea, I'd much rather have a replacement job lined up before quitting, but if they let me go I'd like to at least have something coming in to keep me afloat! 

I'm tired of wrenching, it's just grown too old!  The pisser is, trying to get a replacement job making what I make will be very hard right now.  Not that I make a lot, but I am the 2nd highest paid non-salary employee in the company, a fact that I think makes some of the managers jealous.  They need to grow a pair, I've been there nearly 14 years and my wafe barely reflects that!

dude, you just answered you question about why they are on your ass.

do what was suggested document everything, then if when they fire you you send a copy to the OWNER and then send another to the labor board, and keep a copy for when you file for unemployment

[kneedownnate]

I think he may finally be off parole, but I can never get a straight answer out of him on it.

The owners don't care what goes on there, their main concern lies in getting X amount of money to distribute among the family members each year, then the resorts come later.  The business has been for sale for nearly as long as I've been there, and I can only hope that being picked up by a new company would freshen things up.

[kletzenklueffer]

My advise, coming from a similar situation (6 months shy of 20 years- boss does the job I used to do just so he has some responsibilities) is play the ball while it's in your court. While you're still employed, start looking for something else. right now, you have several options- you can stay where you are and search for a job, or you can take another job and go to school if you're tired of wrenching, or any mix of those. If you're out of work, it's a lot harder to keep things together, looking for a job, going to school, paying bills, etc.

I started school 6 months ago to become a machinist. I've been behind a PC for 10 years and have had my fill of it. I missed working with my hands. Another year and I'll be a CNC programmer.

[BLACKDOG]

I know its been said multiple times, but document EVERYTHING.  This is bull crap, plain and simple.  Do not go into meetings without a witness for you.  If they get a witness, you get a witness.  I'd even use the line of "I want my lawyer to hear this" because they will probably fight having a witness for you there. 

I'd even get statements from customers, written, sayign what you've done. 

If you document everything, even if they fire you, 1) you may still be able to get unemployment due to wrongful firing, 2) you may get them fired. 

[hilux-1983]

I hear a LOT of wisdom here. I agree with ALL of it.... Listen up real good all of you youngsters us "old guys" have been through or are going through this kinda stuff that one day will benifit you.

[WHITE_TRASH]

I was disappointed when I crossed the bridge today and saw the dock still fully intact...    

[TacoRunner]

I once was fired for calling a co-worker old. I was told I was not diverse enough. Even though it was a joke.


A BIG F    U goes out from me to work place Diversity. I hate being PC I think its one of the worst things that has happened to this contry. If you cant take a joke then take long walk off a short piror and spare the rest of us the just want to live life.

[kneedownnate]

I was disappointed when I crossed the bridge today and saw the dock still fully intact...   

  I tried man, but concrete just don't burn right   

[WHITE_TRASH]

Well at least unhitch it from the shore...

[kneedownnate]

Then they'd just make me hook it back up