| Author | Message | ||
     Malott442 |
As of Tuesday, I was looking at transferring to a better job that paid 50% more, and moving back to VA. Life was good. Wednesday morning, found out I didn't get the job. Pretty crushed, because I failed the background check. I think it was my underage drinking charge, but I'm not sure. Wednesday afternoon, I get written up. Final notice. I had a lift driver almost kill me when he crossed over a traffic aisle with a 4k lb load lifted 6 feet off the ground. I yelled at him, using the f word twice. I told on myself, and was told not to worry about it. Lift driver and I were instantly okay with it. 12 weeks later, and I'm on an open ended foot out the door. Thursday afternoon, find out someone thinks that the incident makes me unreliable. Decides they are pursuing getting me fired. It is pretty much a done deal. I'm sitting here at home, 65 hours into a 76 hour work week. I've never felt so discouraged in my civilian life. I'm really worried, because I can imagine me getting fired is going to make it harder to get the next job, whatever it may be. So here's the question: Do I put in my 2 week notice and nip it in the bud, or do I wait to be fired? -important side note: This week has been crushing, and a little part of me has been feeling worthless. But my wife has been behind me the whole way, and still believes in me. It's really funny how much that can lift a person's spirits. Her love makes me realize I am a really lucky guy.  I've got to go to work, sorry for the sporadic entry, but I don't have time to proofread and "un-engineer" my thought processes into rational trains of text. | ||
| Etennuly |
The best jobs I ever found were the ones that came after being fired somewhere. As an employer I don't look at a potential hire who was fired as a bad thing. I look into the cause and behavior patterns that may have lead up to the firing. I found some new hires had been fired to avoid laying them off during cutbacks. My son is working stupid long hours in a factory like you are. Since they kicked their production up without hiring more people, 60 to 70 hours a week, he said that everyone he talks to there have been threatened with being fired for one cause or another. Undue stress ruins good workers and can make them careless. I hired one fella who got fired for a personality clash with his manager. If I owned that shop I would have fired the manager, he pushed out a truly good employee. | ||
| Sifo |
Sounds to me like you handled things pretty reasonably, considering the potential consequences of what the driver was doing. Is this because of the "F word" being used? By an industrial worker? Really? Have we gotten that thin skinned? I would hope you could fight that if it comes to it. Of course, I got the fuse lit at work today. I downed a bus today for an emergency door release that wouldn't work with out power to the switch. It was briefly discussed on the radio with dispatch, who simply left it at "talk to us when you get back to base". Head mechanic gets on the radio wanting further explanation. After the fourth attempt from him for more details (and there's not much details beyond "it's not working and isn't safe") I finally told him that if there's an electrical fire, people will die. He was waiting for me when I got to the shop and came across the shop screaming at me for refusing to take the bus in the afternoon. I pointed out, again, the obvious hazard and he got about four inches from my face, screaming about how that shouldn't be said on the radio. This idiot is an old friend of the boss, so I don't know where this will go. Boss was out today, but I pressed it and spoke to him on the phone. I had a number of people who heard the exchange on the radio say to me that I was obviously trying NOT to say something that obvious. A few others saw/heard the exchange at the shop. Funny thing, I've never even met this guy before that incident. He's only been there about three months, and they have me working from a separate lot, so I have had very little contact with folks back at base. Given his relationship with the boss, I'm really wondering where this will head. Strange how things can turn so fast. | ||
| Ourdee |
Mathew, Ask your wife. | ||
| Pwnzor |
If you quit, you are not eligible for unemployment benefits. Things happen for a reason, and there is an opportunity lying right under the surface here. Mark my words. | ||
| Alfau |
looking at transferring to a better job Sounds like you want to leave anyway so why worry . Addressing obvious safety issues will carry more weight than your reaction to a fright. That said, He probably didn't intend to kill you. } | ||
| Big_island_rider |
Pay special attention to your lady, that is what is worth everything. F the rest of it. Jobs come and go. I have never worried about it and I get by just fine. Control your reactions. Simple formula: E+R=O Event + Reaction = Outcome. Be honest but don't go looking for trouble. Oh and wear sunscreen. | ||
| Malott442 |
@ettenuly Undue stress ruins good workers and can make them careless. Very good way of putting it. I really hope that I can bounce back from this. @sifo. The discussion has already been had, they don't care. Additionally, even though I self reported, the wording and the situation were changed in the write up. Naturally, I refused to sign it. I countered with a verbage change and a request to change the severity of the write up if I went through a few courses to improve my grace under fire. That shop mechanic sounds like he has a bit of a temper. Hope you guys can work it out without it becoming a grudge type thing, or worse, have the good ol boy system push you out. @ Ourdee, I already did. She said "quit". She knows how miserable the past year or two have been. The company has changed a lot, my responsibilities have stacked up, and my hours get longer, longer, longer. My pay stays exactly the same. @ Pwnzor. The AL unemployment website stated that I am still eligible if the quitting is work related. I'm going to call them Monday and find out more information. I sure hope that opportunity gets uncovered soon. I don't want my wife to go under financial hardships because of me. @Alfau. I self reported to actually call to action some steps in creating a safer environment. Nothing has been done, except writing me up. I've been asking for help with several things over the past year, and the company has really shown what I mean to them (zilch). They messed up my pay, and took 5 months to make it right. That was a fun ordeal. The operator and I talked about what happened that night, and we definitely are on good to great terms. His company does not even know what happened. (The forklift operators are sub contracted to drive, I am from a separate company hired to fix em) I really do want to leave anyway, but I wanted to step right out of one set of boots, and into another. I never thought I would be afraid of unemployment, but with a 3 month old, and losing health insurance, it is a daunting endeavor ahead of me. @ Big Island Rider. No doubt, my lady is pretty awesome. Best investment of my life lol! ERO is exactly right. I appreciate all the input everyone! I'll let you guys know what happens. And one more pic of my awesome wife, just because I like showing her off.  | ||
| Pwnzor |
I don't want my wife to go under financial hardships because of me. Your wife is your team mate, she will carry you if she has to, and there is no shame in that. She knows you would do the same if the roles were reversed. Interesting that Alabama allows unemployment benefits in self-termination scenarios. Keep us posted on that. If there's anything at all I can do to help, say it. I am hiring truck drivers, need at least a class B license. | ||
| Sifo |
One thing that has always been true... It's easier to find a job when you have a job. I know we've all heard that countless times, but it's always even more true during economic down turns. Those same down turns lead to leaning on employees harder as you describe in your work place. I don't know the local demand in your industry, but it might be worth doing your best to stay in your job until you can replace it. One thing I've found is that pretty much every place I've worked has changed it's work environment over time. Sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse, but they are in constant change. Back when I was starting my IT carrier in the early 80's I was in a job that had some aspects similar to what you describe with crazy long work hours and huge pressure being put on you. I honestly didn't realize how much it was effecting me, but when I found another job, and gave my two weeks notice, I still remember to this day the weight that seemed to lift from me about five minutes after walking out of my bosses office. It really was an amazing feeling. Hang in there if you can. Your time will come. Funny thing about my situation with the mechanic. I really have no clue if he has a bad temper or not. It was my first interaction with him. It was certainly a bad first impression. I'm still trying to figure out how I want to push back on this. Part of me really doesn't want to blow this up worse than it is. That requires a good deal of faith in my boss being a stand up guy. His past actions don't lead to believe he deserves this faith. At the other end of the spectrum would be full blown documentation of what happened with regulatory agencies and the union. That would in theory at least give me some legal protections. There's actually two others who would be sucked into this at that point, documenting a more systemic problem in the company trying to put an unsafe bus on the road. I really hate throwing sh*t at fans. It's great that you have full support from your wife. You can say far better than folks here what's best for you and yours. It's great to bounce it off others, but you and your family have to live with the decisions that are made. Be sure to do what's in the best interests of you and yours. | ||
| Sifo |
I am hiring truck drivers, need at least a class B license. Do you need air brakes? | ||
| Pwnzor |
All my trucks have air brakes, and the endorsement here is included in any CDL test you take. Vehicles under 26000 GVW with air brakes no longer require an endorsement. My box trucks are KW T880's with 10 speed manual gearbox and Detroit motors. Tractors are KW T660 or T2000's also with 10 speed boxes, some have Detroits, some Cummins. I've got 3 empty tractors and 3 empty box trucks. Pay is 30% commission on the job locally, or by the mile for OTR work. Box trucks pay $0.595 cents per loaded mile, tractors pay $0.645 per loaded mile. Back hauls pay 30% coming back toward Atlanta. Home most nights. I don't hang drivers out to dry on the road, waiting forever for loads. I keep my trucks moving. | ||
| Sifo |
Thanks for the info. Around here air brakes are a separate endorsement. | ||
| Strokizator |
I'd still wait to get fired/laid off - no sense falling on your own sword. It is time to start looking though. | ||
| Kenm123t |
What are your skill sets Malott? | ||
| Malott442 |
I have: 6 years power plant experience (maintenance) 4 years electric/gas forklift experience, with or without wire guidance. (maintenance) 1 year bouncing experience 6 months fencing/decking 6 months drywalling I'm certified Level II through the Raymond Corporation as a factory authorized technician Completed the US Naval Nuclear Power Program as a Mechanical Operator (Message edited by malott442 on June 01, 2014) (Message edited by malott442 on June 01, 2014) | ||
| Kenm123t |
ever consider hvac mechanical work? | ||
| Rick_a |
Jobs are like girlfriends...when one leaves you, you find one that's a better fit. Eventually you may marry one.  | ||
| Malott442 |
ever consider hvac mechanical work? } My very good friend and board lurker chasespeed does that, I guess I could look into it. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Housing is booming here in MD (an hour north of DC)...if that interests you at all. I'm torn for advice. On one hand, there's the son-of-German-CPA-and-Navy-Commander, saying let them fire you. You work as long as possible, receive benefits as long as possible (get a checkup NOW!!), and you get unemployment benefits*. On the other hand...I've been dead. I've - briefly - lost it all and had a long, hard fight back. That job left, that wife left, there were many many dark days, and it taught me that the sort of BS you say they throw at you daily...is simply not worth it. There are bigger things to worry about. Your wife and your family and your health/well-being should top the "Important" list. If you had something lined up, that son-of-CPA would scream at you "get out now!!". And, you probably saw a * up above. Poke around and see if they plan on adding insult to injury. In MD, if an employee is released due to insubordination, they can withhold unemployment benefits. If that's the case...tell 'em to go •••• themselves, and dance out the door with a big smile on your face! You're obviously analyzing this closely - that's a good sign, and not doing it full of emotion is key. Good job there. It may not be an easy few months...but just from this thread I get the feeling you'll make a good decision in the end. Good luck!! | ||
| Nillaice |
I can totally relate to your situation There is so much out there, but you allready have what should mean the most to you. I did the navy nuke-mech thing (3386) and found basically the same job at a commercial power plant (surry ,va). It also sucked, but paid way better. I eventually lost that job and moved closer to family (Oregon) on unemployment checks, which one of those checks would have been one days pay at the power plant. ;( I had forgotten that I like being able to spend time with my wife and kids, and that they are the most important people in my life. And I am theirs. It sounds to me like you hate your job and are smart enough to do what ever you want to do. So do it. Don't over think it. I said that I like to 'fix stuff' when a mentor from church asked me a few days before I was escorted out the gate. About 3 months ago I got on with the fed. gov. as a facilities Maint mech. I 'fix stuff' all day and come home from work happy and in time to see my kids right after school God has a plan for you. Wether you believe in him or not. | ||
| Malott442 |
I'm not sure if they are going to try to add insult to injury, but to be honest, I really don't want to have to explain to future employers why I was canned. I would rather tell them I left the position because of how unhappy I was doing that particular job. I would love my job if I could go back to working multiple customers, setting my own hours. But 60-80 hours a week, every week? And the pace is like I'm 20 years old. My body just won't keep up any more. I tried getting on with Mineral power plant, but wasn't selected. I'm hoping I'll get a call Friday from Alabama power. At the same time @ nillaice, your job sounds right up my alley. I am a master tinkerer, with a bachelors in innovative improvements and a minor in perfectionism. Did you find that job on a state website or what? | ||
| Hughlysses |
Matthew- Can you ask why you failed the background check? It'd be good to know for your own benefit. If it was the drinking charge, it would be worth checking to see if you can get the it "expunged" from your records (you were underage after all). You might have to pay a lawyer a couple of hundred bucks to handle it but it might be worth it so you'd have a clear record. Hang in there and good luck. | ||
| Nillaice |
actually, my dad plays BCA league pool with the janitor here. but the billet was open for 13 months before they actually hired me. it hadn't been filled because of this, that, & budget concerns. when i finally interviewed, it was a snap to get hired for a fed job with 'veterans preference' im making less than half of what i was before, but its nice to work 8 hour days and not be stressed out. the nuke plant scrutiny was my demise, and there is none of that here so, check out USAjobs.com try to decipher the HR job descriptions and don't overlook 'term' positions. that's how they feel you out before making you a permanent employee. i hear that the one lady here was a dirt bag for the better part of 15 years and it was next to impossible to get her fired. | ||
| Nillaice |
you can still tell them that you were canned because you were kicked out of 'the good 'ol boys club' when you called them out on a safety violation. (as long as you believe it the truth) collecting an unemployment czech attests to that you didn't get the boot for sexual harassment or malicious intent. (at least that's how it was in VA) if you feel guilty about it, think about how long have you been paying into the unemployment system slush fund? so don't make it easy for the boss and quit. | ||
| Malott442 |
@Hughlysses. I asked once already, and have heard no response. I'm going to re-ask today. Hopefully they will actually respond this time. (I emailed last week) I was told even if it was expunged, that they would still find it. They came to me with 10 questions, things that I didn't even know they cared about. Examples: 1. Explain why you were pulled over for reckless driving in 2004. (Final ticket disposition was simple speeding) 2. Explain why you were driving on a suspended license in 2007 (I didn't know it was suspended, got everything taken care of, and got the case dismissed) They checked EVERYTHING. I wouldn't be surprised if they checked this website out. @nillaice I'll definitely check into USAjobs. I'm with you on the stress bit. I enjoy my large home and comfortable life, but I would be willing to move to a small cabin and live more 'carefully' for a job I like. (Message edited by malott442 on June 03, 2014) | ||
| Ulywife |
With your experience with lift trucks, check out Crown Equipment Corporation. They have lots of locations and opportunities. They are still family owned and based out of Ohio. Two of my favorite Buellers have worked for them for 18+ years. https://webapp1.crown.com/currentopen Best of luck. There is always a silver lining when things look dim. Hope things turn around soon for you. (Message edited by Ulywife on June 13, 2014) | ||
| Brumbear |
Toyota is also a very good option, the new toyota is the old Raymond  | ||
| Slaughter |
I think you have the support of your lady love, you can have STRENGTH that puts you ahead of most people. I would bet with your experience, you SHOULD be able to get picked up without a lot of down time. Also agree that applying WHILE working is better than applying while NEEDING work. Leaving a job IS scary (unless leaving to GO to another) The background thing is always spooky. I'd think that the trip up question usually is something like "have you ever been arrested?" or "have you ever been convicted?" Doesn't matter if the charges were expunged. I've met more than one or two folks who thought that they didn't have to report an expungement. Those agencies are more concerned about finding something out that isn't being reported. Hell, I've got TWO arrests - one for marijuana and another for weapons and explosives. I have to report them annually and for every job I've applied for - even though the most recent was in 1983! | ||
| Malott442 |
@Ulywife. I think I just might apply for a FL position. I know the wife is not crazy about the idea of moving, but she knows my family is centered around the Tampa location. Also, I miss saltwater fishing. I will miss having roads with curves though, hehe. @Brumbear. Toyota acquired Raymond 6 years ago or so, and it's funny: It's almost a hostile friendship. We shared some of our technology to advance their line, they made us follow ridiculous rules and tighten our work order management in return. I've met several Toyota technicians, and I can tell you that a tech from my dealer is light years ahead of them. I might inquire into them as well. I've always thought about working abroad for a year or two, and working for Toyota can actually make that happen. I'll never forget the Toyota tuggers I saw in the Bushmill's Distillery in N. Ireland  @Slaughter. It's taken 5 weeks to get any response, and it won't be until Monday to know why I failed. Also, that automatically takes me out of the running for appealing the decision. I'm going to forward my email correspondence history to whoever the HR rep's boss is, if I could have reversed the decision. If I thought I could get away with it, I might copy/paste (but I won't). It's hilarious how busted she was not doing her job. I contacted her 3 times over 5 weeks, with radio silence. Then I called her out, and got 3 emails and a phone call in quick succession. One of those emails was the rejection letter I never received. Dear Matthew Malott: Due to information obtained through the background investigation process, our contingent offer for the Non-Licensed Operator - Nuclear position at North Anna Power Station in Mineral, VA is rescinded. Any questions pertaining to this background investigation should be directed to our Security Services Department at 804-771-****. We wish you the best in your career endeavors. Sincerely, Dominion Staffing Department |
