Going the extra mile down a dead end road
Going the extra mile down a dead end road
(OP)
I was just wondering how common this is in the rest of the work world. I have always and will always be an employee that believes that hard work pays off but I am starting to wonder. In my younger years, I worked at several manual labor/blue collar jobs. I found that the harder I worked the more I was rewarded. It may have been a pay raise, and extra day off, or more responsibility. I have since moved on to the "white collar" office world of software development and automation integration. I absolutely love the work but I am becoming less confident that there is a "pot of gold at the end of the rainbow". I started doing this work about eight years ago and I attacked it like every other job I have ever had. I would put in extra hours, bring work home, help other that fell behind etc. In my diluted world, I figured this would pay off. When I was not trying to play catch up because the project manager overlooked this or the saleman promised this, I worked to find, develop, and test ways we could streamline our engineering processes to reduce project development times. I was able to create and prove a dozen different design process improvements, some took years to implement and yet other are sitting in the starting block waiting to go. Enough history, now for the question. I recieved little, if any rewards for my hard work. I may have had a couple of "that a boy"s but for the most part the project managers and sales people became more slack in there jobs knowing that I would pick up the slack. Basically, my reward for hard work was more of other peoples work. The company is small, so I know that plays a part in things but I think this is beyond acceptable. I know some of you will say I should look for a new job, and I am. I am reluctant to move because the engineering group is a great group and they all get about the same treatment as I get. How do you correct this? Are there other people getting the same treatment in other places? I am going to get this were ever I go? Does any one know the winning lotto numbers
?





RE: Going the extra mile down a dead end road
I was told by my own mangager that everyone loves me doing what I'm doing and they don't want me in another position.
Sorry, but this is a sore area for me.
Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP3.1 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site (updated 06-21-05)
FAQ559-1100
FAQ559-716
RE: Going the extra mile down a dead end road
http://www.EsoxRepublic.com-SolidWorks API VB programming help
RE: Going the extra mile down a dead end road
A human resources fable...
A story imparted to me by a close friend with half a lifetime in HR mediation...
A man is driving a wagon pulled by two horses across a desert. One horse always works hard, one is lazy and does next to nothing no matter what.
The wagon is crossing a river and is getting stuck. The man whips the two horses to get them to pull harder. He sees that the hard working horse responds by pulling harder, while the lazy horse doesn't react at all. The man the decides only to whip the horse that responds...
RE: Going the extra mile down a dead end road
RE: Going the extra mile down a dead end road
RE: Going the extra mile down a dead end road
The difference is how people get rewarded for their work, because as you approach the being harder working person, you ALWAYS carry more of the lazier (wich may not be the correct word... but) persons load.
Wes C.
RE: Going the extra mile down a dead end road
I've been in the same boat as you, so here are a few ideas from me,
1) Be "sick" for a week and don't show up to work, make sure that there are plenty of important projects nearing completion when you do this. Everyone else will realise how much you are worth when you're not around to hold their hand.
2) Showcase your work, point out a problem that you found to your boss and tell him that you've solved it (make sure it's not a problem that your boss has created through his ineptitude, do those quietly)
3) Diplomatically decline to do the lazy people's work.
4) Make/ask other people do their own work or any extra work you have and follow up to make sure its being done.
5) Make this workload seem effortless especially when your boss or his lackeys are present, people will marvel that you do so much work so easily, while they can't even do what little they have.
I have some more but I can't remember them, ideally you want to show that you're providing a valuable service. In a way you already have some power b/c it seems like they would fall apart without you, only they don't know it, make sure they do.
Good luck
RE: Going the extra mile down a dead end road
One more thing, the showcasing part of my previous post only applies to your boss is he is not insecure. Otherwise he might think you're trying to usurp him. In that case make it look like it's all his idea, and make sure that you don't come out as looking better than him. You'll know if he's insecure when tries to sweep your work under the rug.
RE: Going the extra mile down a dead end road
Wes C.
RE: Going the extra mile down a dead end road
Is it proper or ethical for you to take on the unassigned work of those around you? If so, then what are they paying these other people for? Has anyone done this for you? Would you expect them to?
Maui
Constants aren't; variables won't.
RE: Going the extra mile down a dead end road
RE: Going the extra mile down a dead end road
No manager will voluntarily reduce his number of "direct reports", because that number is a badge of rank among managers.
You need to start introducing inefficiencies.
No one is born a cynic; it takes decades of conditioning.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Going the extra mile down a dead end road
Employers wait for that once a year review to tell you what they think; tell you where you need improvement. Some use it to try to put you in the place they desire. From my experience this is the only time they direct thier full attention to that employee.
I once asked a long timer how raises went in the plant; he said most people don't get raises but he got one every year. He would document everything he did for the year and went into the review with a stack of paper and turned it into him telling them what he did.
I don't suggest to anybody that they document everything, because that is all you would wind up doing. But keeping tabs on important work and having some sort of report for the review would be a good idea. This is where you need to tell them that you are getting more work from these other people. I would also continue to point out the raise in cost of living.
The basics of work for me is that the day to day goes good, I like it. If the day to day is always a pain or I just don't want to go to work, then a change is needed. If I don't like the salary coming into a job, then I don't take the job, some companies only use raises to keep employees from leaving.
Once I worked at a place that changed thier review/raise policy to where 10-20% of employees got no raise, a large portion got 1-3% raise, and about 4 people got 5-7% raise. Well, I did very well that year and got the 7% and with the structure of that company it got out, everybody knew. And that was the start of a long process of being forced out of a job.
Anyways, alot of people get into this once a year review slump, they stew all year and have high expectations to expose this or get rewarded, sadly most just get upset. The rewards of work will be best if it's all internal to oneself. If you are waiting for those extraneous things, you might wind up doing just that; waiting.
_______________________________________
Feeling frisky.........
www.tailofthedragon.com
RE: Going the extra mile down a dead end road
That day I joined a health club. For the next year I carefully worked my best for 40 hours a week and then went to the club. I stopped working from home. I got to work at the normal starting time. Took exactly 45 minutes for lunch (away from my desk). I never came in on weekends.
At the end of the year I was exactly as far behind as I was at the beginnning, but my wife and kids were a lot happier. My raise and rating that year were as good as I ever got with that company. My cynical conclusion is "It is not important what you do, it is important what you are seen doing".
When I had been working 90 hours a week, about half the time I was the only one around and when the projects just kept being completed on-time, management thought I didn't have enough work. When my inbox overflowed a little, the projects moved down the hall.
David
RE: Going the extra mile down a dead end road
You should start your own business.
14159
RE: Going the extra mile down a dead end road
Could not agree more. A star for you.
Having said that, I am at work now while everyone else is at home. But I will go soon. The main reason for me being here is I was given another task that could not be squeezed into the day, so it is getting chipped away at slowly on paid overtime once a week or so.
As for the boss knowing what is going on:
Currently my boss attempts (fairly consistanty too) to have monthly reviews of how things are going (using a one page sheet for consistancy) with each of his 25 odd staff. The company has (the current "in thing") a system for a formal 6 month review and a 12 month review. Naturally the 12 monthly is the only one that consists of a pay scale review, but at least you get a chance to let him know regularly of work load, achievements and why some tasks are not being completed in time etc. This means he does not get a big suprise, but lets us not get such a hard and memorable (read: in your pay) kick in the pants.
ASM
RE: Going the extra mile down a dead end road
I've seen too many people who pegion hole themselves into a position because they were too good at the job. If you are looking to move around you need to deversify your skills and not specialize in anything.
RE: Going the extra mile down a dead end road
"Don't be irreplaceable. If you can't be replaced, you can't be promoted."
----------------------------------
One day my ship will come in.
But with my luck, I'll be at the airport!
RE: Going the extra mile down a dead end road
RE: Going the extra mile down a dead end road
Underperformer can still be successful in his career if he is paid a lot.
RE: Going the extra mile down a dead end road
Unfortunate for society, but not unfortunate for us
If I had to compete with only Type "A" geniuses, I'd have to work a whole lot harder and spend less time here
TTFN
RE: Going the extra mile down a dead end road
That is such a known formula. Those who don't perform get promoted out of the critical jobs.
I once recieved the following email extract that I am sure most have seen before but it is worth seeing again
Dilbert's "Salary Theorem" states that "Engineers and Scientists can
never earn as much as Business Executives and Sales People."
This theorem can now be supported by a mathematical equation based on
the following two postulates:
1. Knowledge is Power.
2. Time is Money.
As every engineer knows:
Power = Work / Time
Since:
Knowledge = Power
Time = Money
It follows that:
Knowledge = Work/Money.
Solving for Money, we get:
Money = Work / Knowledge.
Thus, as Knowledge approaches zero,
Money approaches infinity, regardless
of the amount of work done.
Conclusion: The less you know, the more you make.
Regards,
ASM
RE: Going the extra mile down a dead end road
There are 3 things for a good work ethic:
#1 Be a teacher.
#2 Be a worker.
#3 Be a student.
You have to train someone to fill your position, do your work while you train, and also learn about the position that you are trying to achieve. I worked for a company 7 years. Saved themm from bankruptcy 2x. I was the shop foreman. I turned in a three week notice and I received my walking papers. Sometimes you will not be appreciated. Don't lose hope there is the right company out there. I found one.
RE: Going the extra mile down a dead end road
It depends on how the geniuses market themselves to the bosses. People like that are the engine of a company, they keep it running. Steering is up to bosses, who may or may not steer it right or even bother to maintain the engine.
In cases like that use their input to further your cause, learn to appreciate their value and then when you become the boss you know which part of the engine needs maintaining.
In other words its not a reason to work harder to compete, its a reason to make your work look better. Once you get the promotion, don't forget who helped you get it.
It sounds like foada's boss realises his value but abuses this knowledge to get more work done. All his boss is creating is a disgruntled employee, one who could possibly cripple the company WHEN he leaves. All the more reason to keep Foada happy.
RE: Going the extra mile down a dead end road
The following things have worked for me, individual results may vary:
1)Find the right company to work for - decide exactly what it is you want to do and what you're good at, be open-minded
2)Demonstrate that you posess the skills for the next higher position to the right people in management; when it comes to getting promoted, these are the only ones that really matter
3)Understand your manager's hot buttons and focus your efforts to avoid them - they want people they can trust in the "club"
4) Present problems and solutions to your boss (not just problems)
5) Stay away from small companies; if you're working for the owner don't expect to get promoted.
6) Let your boss know that you're not content with what you're doing and that you don't expect to be doing it forever; ask them to help you develop a career plan.
7) Get professional certifications (i.e. PE, CPM, etc)
8) Learn cost and project management software; no one likes it (almost nobody) but it's a must for managers
9) Write articles for publications and conferences
10) Make and effort to bring work to your company, you don't have to actually be successful at it but your boss needs to know that your concerned about the company's profits - in big companies all that matters is shareholder value.
11) Don't be cynical about a position/company - if you don't like it and you're sure the job/company isn't for you - move on, there are plenty of jobs out there; be careful to not burn bridges.
12) MOST IMPORTANTLY - Always Remember: PEOPLE DO THINGS FOR THEIR REASONS, NOT FOR YOURS.
This may hurt some egos out there, but good engineers are not that hard to come by, good engineers who are good with clients, and managing people and projects are - don't expect to be promoted just because you can push buttons on a calculator or are a CAD wizard.
RE: Going the extra mile down a dead end road
Particularly for point #2 and #6. It's kind of simple and obvious, but I have seen many people complaining about their situation without taking step ONE in trying to attain it. If you want a promotion or a raise, make sure you ASK FOR IT. Most companies aren't in the handout business. You'll end up waiting forever.
RE: Going the extra mile down a dead end road
RE: Going the extra mile down a dead end road
Sadly if you are invaluable or irreplaceable you will remain because you are just that.
The beauty of the system is each succesive Manager just has to be no more incompetant than the one he replaces. Kind of like raising the bar in the downward direction!
Enjoy what you do and the rest falls into place!
Al
RE: Going the extra mile down a dead end road
I once worked for a firm where it was tough to get a promotion, so a lot of guys(me included) left. When we gave our notice, we were offered what ever we wanted (to an extent) to stay. I am not sugessting you bluff them by giving notice, but if you grumble a little and suggest thee may be a better life out there, maybe sombody will do something. If they don't, you have a pretty good idea where you stand.
RE: Going the extra mile down a dead end road
It's just another black mark in my big book of black marks... I'll need a library to house all these books by the time I retire!
----------------------------------
One day my ship will come in.
But with my luck, I'll be at the airport!
RE: Going the extra mile down a dead end road
Needless to say, that wasn't a warm, fuzzy, or (fortunately) long-lasting relationship. He presented one of my projects at a senior-managers meeting and when he couldn't explain any of the details on my slides (that he hadn't reviewed before the meeting or told me he was going to use) he called me on the speaker phone to answer the tough questions. The next week he was back to being an individual contributor. Senior management saw what an ineffective slime he really was and wondered out loud why he even had a job.
David
RE: Going the extra mile down a dead end road
Can someone please explain how that works?
RE: Going the extra mile down a dead end road
Oh and all people shift blame, it just depends on who defends themselves better.
RE: Going the extra mile down a dead end road
RE: Going the extra mile down a dead end road
People who are getting more than they deserve have nothing to complain about, hence they don't hang out here.
Actually I do think I get away with being lazy (though neither overpaid nor unworthy). This doesn't bother me, because lazy and all, I do a hell of a lot better job than the three guys who all shared my current job when I first got here. I figure I have a "burn and coast" technique that leads to greater overall efficiency.
Hg
Eng-Tips guidelines: FAQ731-376
RE: Going the extra mile down a dead end road
As one of our managers once said, if you can get Greg to pay attention to your problem for two hours then he'll probably fix it.
I think he was being nice, but maybe not.
I find after 4 hours of analytical work my head tends to explode, so I have to goof off for at least an hour, or more usually go to the pub. And I usually resist doing anything technical in the last hour before I go to bed, otherwise the (internal) computer will be humming away all night and I won't get any sleep.
Cheers
Greg Locock
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.