Analyzing My Job: The Shopping To Saving Way - Part II

(Picking up from part I yesterday, here are the last four)

1. Co-workers - This is a tricky one, I work shift which I will explain more further down. I can basically say I love my shift mates, they are a good mix and they are great people, all different and you can learn something from each of them. They make the job so much better it's amazing. They are teammates through and through. Outside of my shift mates, I like and dislike working with some of the people on the other shifts for various reasons. Outside of my department I get along pretty well with the other departments that make up the production line. The office staff which would consist mostly of management, HR, Accounts and the likes, I know and communicate with on a need to know or when necessary basis. The offices are a little ways away from the production plant so I don't see or interact with them often. The co-workers I really despise consists basically of management. They are selfish, uncaring, manipulative, greedy, lying and a couple other words I can't even think of. I see them do stuff and hear about other stuff that most days it just hurts my heart and breaks my spirit. The most hurtful part is that some of them came from the very bottom and got to a place where than can try and make better for those they left behind but they only think of themselves. It also hurts because I alone can't do anything about it. I can air my views but in the end they only look out for themselves and their friends(if the friend is beneficial to them in some way). Most of the people their are afraid to speak up and a lot are really dependent on the job so they keep quiet and I can't blame them but I hate to see them being used in such a sad manner. The managers alone and their attitudes and behaviors are enough to make me hate the job but because I don't see them every week I will still count this as a pass for now.
2. Atmosphere - I don't work in the best of atmospheres, I work with a lot of chemicals and the strength of their odors can variate from weak to strong, some days, depending on what we are using it can be extremely bad, most days it is bearable. I do have a respirator but I don't like wearing it too often, I do on the bad days though. The machines themselves are extremely noisy which is something I don't like but I've grown accustomed too. There is almost always something to do since I operate the machines but it isn't generally busy most times. Sometimes rush jobs can be unbearable but that isn't too often. I can deal with the atmosphere most of the time so I would also say this one is a pass.
3. Flexibility - I would say the job is semi-flexible. I have to clock in and I am only allowed to be late over 5 mins 4 times a month, the 5th time and I get sent home for 3 days unpaid(never a problem for me as I am 95% on time unless I have a reason to be late which I make sure and mention days in advance). I rotate on 3 shifts, 7am-3pm, 3pm-11pm, and 11pm-7am. I said semi-flexible because of the shift system. Sometimes it is possible to schedule things around your shift as you work the same shift for an entire week. If appointments fall at a time you have to be at work, you have the option to swap with someone on the other shift if they are willing, I have never done this nor is it something I would be willing to do as it really offsets your sleeping. What I have done and you have the option to do is ask for the day home unpaid. You take the day home and you lose 8 hours pay, you can also do it for part of a day if you choose, say like 3 hours. They don't have to allow it but on the 2-3 occasions I have done it, it has not been a problem. I would give the flexibility a pass as well if you don't mind losing x amount hours pay which I don't(benefit of not living paycheck to paycheck). The shift system is also why I don't have to interact with the manager's or the office people too often. I should actually say though the flexibility is a pass for now since P is away studying and we don't live together as yet, as soon as that changes it will be a major problem. I should also add I kinda hate working shift, I would much prefer an 8.30am to 4.30pm job but the hours aren't a deal breaker right now in my life.
4. Advancement - Last on the list is advancement but I am going to say straight out that this one is a fail. They are opportunities but they are rare. I can't even blame it all on the recession either. For starters it is a small company so they don't expand that fast and people don't really leave either, from my department we have a lot of people with well over 10 years and some even 20 years. A lot of them are still in the same position as well, they get paid more but that it is it. My current supervisor only became a supervisor in 2010(the year when I started) and he had about 12 years in by then. There isn't any tuition reimbursement or anything of the sorts and they haven't sent anyone on training that I know of in a while with the exception of my supervisor who did a supervisory class. Better opportunities come with the chance to switch departments but this itself is also rare, I tried for a spot last year but they scrapped the hiring after my interview blaming financial reasons. I also have a good feeling that it will be hard to leave my current position as it is a position that is harder to replace than others. It's easy to find an accountant coming out of school but they have to train someone to operate the machines from scratch which is much harder and costly to the company. I have a feeling they like to keep you there unless you aren't performing well in the position. I am pretty adequate so I am a bit afraid. Like I said, we have machine operators in the same position for 15-20 years going strong. It's scary but like I said, this one is a definite fail.

Overall scoring says I am happy in six out of the seven categories which must mean I have a wonderful job. In a way I do, the only poisonous part about it is the management like I mentioned. I don't like how they treat the production staff. Yes production may be one of the lowest paid departments but that doesn't mean they deserve to be treated like shit. Sadly, a lot of them don't have any other choice except to take it. Most because of being in debt, some because they have children, some may lack education to do anything that would earn more and a lot because of all of the above put together. Seeing stuff like this makes me want to master managing my finances even more. I don't ever want to be trapped at a job like this, I don't want to be trapped at any job really. I always want the freedom of choice. No one is actually trapped, you just have to decide to make a change and start working towards it. You are never truly trapped but things like debt can really make it feel that way. I don't ever want that feeling so I do things like keep an emergency fund just in case.

I do want to leave this job in the long run but I guess I know why I haven't been pushing at it and Shopping to Saving's breakdown shows me why. It isn't a bad job overall. For now it is OK and it allows me to do other stuff with the money I earn from it. I will try my best to whine about it even less even though I only feel down in special circumstances.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! From Shopping To Saving. This is a wonderful breakdown and I suggest that everyone do it especially if you have doubts about your job. It is a good eye opener and I love stuff like this because if you are like me and your thoughts are all over the place and never in order, it acts as a guide to help you put everything in order and in perspective.