Should I feel like my job is threatened?
Should I feel like my job is threatened?
(OP)
I am currently working for the R&D division of my company and I do FE analysis on turbine blades. That's been my primary focus for the last 3 years. As you all may remember, I've been a bit unsatisfied with my career for the last year or more because I want more variety in my work. My job performance has been sub-par for the last year or so due to my lack of interest in the job. In the last 3 months or so I've been asked to work with a consulting firm from India. Basically they want me to train them how to do the FE analysis I do. Reason given by my boss? He wants us to concentrate on more interesting work and give the grunt work to India. Part of me wonders if, instead, he wants to give the grunt work to India and send me packing. I've been agreeable to the whole India consultant thing because in all honesty, I do want more interesting work and I'm being trusting of my boss. I sometimes wonder if I'm being gullible though and digging my own grave. I am keeping my options open and going to interviews. I am interested in my career options anyway but this India thing is just another reason on my list to head for the hills. Add the bad economy to the equation and I'm even more nervous. How would you feel in this situation? Am I overreacting or should I get out as soon as I can to avoid a layoff?





RE: Should I feel like my job is threatened?
RE: Should I feel like my job is threatened?
As far as being used elsewhere, that will probably depend on how you are perceived. You've been slacking. Does it show? You been pigeonholed. Are you seen as less than versatile? The seeds of perception are already sown. Playing catchup on "perception debt" is a tall order.
RE: Should I feel like my job is threatened?
Maybe there is more interesting work maybe there isn't. Your boss has asked you to train some people to perform a task you currently do. If you do not perform this or do so poorly your company may have no use for you and let you go just due to poor performance. If the company has decided to outsource this task there is nothing you can do about it.
If you train them and more interesting work comes along then you can stop looking and enjoy a good job.
If you train them and nothing comes along. Get less selective and speed up your job search.
RE: Should I feel like my job is threatened?
He may have been given an order from higher up that he has to put in to place, and may have no choice. Either way, at any point in anyone's career their company will not hesitate to drop them.
I'm not saying this is the case in your situation, but be careful.
I'd have the same question as satchmo... What is that more interesting work?
V
RE: Should I feel like my job is threatened?
KENAT,
Have you reminded yourself of FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies recently, or taken a look at posting policies: http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?
RE: Should I feel like my job is threatened?
RE: Should I feel like my job is threatened?
RE: Should I feel like my job is threatened?
Chris
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 08 3.1
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RE: Should I feel like my job is threatened?
The one thing about this though is the India consultants are being utilized company wide. I'm not the only one being asked to off-load some of my work. I am, however, just about the only one who seems willing to cooperate with them. It seems like everyone else claims to be "too busy" to train these guys. Maybe they are, but maybe they are just as nervous about them taking their jobs and that's their way of keeping their work in their own hands. That's ended up being a pain for me though because, since I'm the one being cooperative, I'm being asked to coordinate projects with India for other peoples work too.
RE: Should I feel like my job is threatened?
May not be your dream job but in this environment can you be too picky?
Oh, and of course if you are enabling outsourcing many will treat you as some kind of traitor or similar but hey, it's a paycheck right.
KENAT,
Have you reminded yourself of FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies recently, or taken a look at posting policies: http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?
RE: Should I feel like my job is threatened?
If management has decided to out-source FEA, then it's going to happen.
You are in position to become the "liaison" guy with the outsiders.
Eventually management may see that out-sourcing wasn't that great an idea.
But, you're the only in-house FEA guy left and wind up being the FEA manager rebuilding a department.
It'll be a tough balancing act though.
RE: Should I feel like my job is threatened?
RE: Should I feel like my job is threatened?
KENAT,
Have you reminded yourself of FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies recently, or taken a look at posting policies: http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?
RE: Should I feel like my job is threatened?
RE: Should I feel like my job is threatened?
RE: Should I feel like my job is threatened?
corus
RE: Should I feel like my job is threatened?
RE: Should I feel like my job is threatened?
A poor reputation sticks long after it's been corrected.
Your boss may be directed to can you at some time and he may also be on the block.
Make sure you document issues with getting the work done properly in India, document any fixes and be honest about their progress (they are also getting reports from India). Unfortunately, except for a few cultural issues, Indian engineers are usually bright, energetic and willing to work hard.
Try to make sure others in management know you are trying and also your progress and attitude, not just your boss.
Prepare some good PowerPoint slides for him or other presentations, plusses, minuses, what is good and what needs fixing. Present them to him every other week (more or less) and try to make sure others in management see them. (If you have to, do preparation fo this on your own time, not at the office)
Most office rumors are true and most of the time the managmeent you work directly with is also kept in the dark as managers senior to them cannot trust them not to pass on confidential information to subordinates.
There will always be changes and threats and opportunities swirling around you. You have taken the right approach, positive attitude, work hard and prove your worth.
That said, as my old Dad used to say "At the end of each work day, you and your employer need to be even - you owe them nothing and they owe you nothing." I know we can't get to that point every day but within a two week/one month period you need to be there. Also have some money in the bank for lean times.
Good luck.
Good luck!
RE: Should I feel like my job is threatened?
TTFN
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies
RE: Should I feel like my job is threatened?
RE: Should I feel like my job is threatened?
Personally, it's my opinion with the downturn in the economy and all the layoffs, that unless any outsourcing any particular company is engaged in is ceased, then no layoffs or other downsizing should legally be allowed.
Layoff OUTSIDE the country first, then contract, part time or full time workers as required to keep the copmpany afloat. And consider reducing hours in lieu of layoffs if would suit the employees and company better.
Some attempt at starting to cut off the money drain on the dollar must be undertaken. I know that it's all pie in the sky.
Just my two cents. Now I'll shut up.
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
RE: Should I feel like my job is threatened?
It's interesting that there's lots of anti-union sentiment in the Eng-Tips population, but that it stops when it comes to outsourcing ENGINEERING jobs. What's good for the goose should be good for the gander. Perhaps, engineers need to be looking at forming unions?
TTFN
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies
RE: Should I feel like my job is threatened?
KENAT,
Have you reminded yourself of FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies recently, or taken a look at posting policies: http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?
RE: Should I feel like my job is threatened?
99% of the time, if you add some sort of value that others don't, you're safe.
Good Luck.
V
RE: Should I feel like my job is threatened?
I think the prospect of becoming a liason /senior FEA consultant would be a very logical outcome of this, which you could use to your advantage. You will effectively be responsible for quality control on their analysis, and you should be laying the law down about standards for modelling, and correlation. That may well include rerunning their models to find out what the problem is.
Cheers
Greg Locock
SIG:Please see FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.
RE: Should I feel like my job is threatened?
A few air miles may or may not be your cup of tea, but a few face to face meetings always helps and would look great on your cv.
Outsourcing is the way that things are going with engineering centres set up in India, Jarkarta, China, Malaysia etc etc. There are still a few hurdles to overcome to making the work flow smooth, but it is only a matter of time, so be there from the begining so you do not have to fight your way in at a later date.
RE: Should I feel like my job is threatened?
The issue you may discuss with the management is how much control they give you in the back office in India. You may have a very good situation in hand so look closely before making up your mind.
Ciao.