How can I motivate my mechanical tech to get his work done?
How can I motivate my mechanical tech to get his work done?
(OP)
I'm an entry level mech. engr at a semiconductor plant and have been tasked with being the system owner for the site's HVAC (general and 3 cleanrooms) and their related water systems. Part of this is ensuring that all the equipment is operational and up to date on PMs.
As I am inheritting a system that has not been maintained properly, there is a lot of work to be done but I can't seem to get our mechanical tech (contractor) to stay on task and complete his work in a timely manner.
Does anyone have any advice on how to get him motivated without having to hold his hand through each task or going to the service contract account manager?
As I am inheritting a system that has not been maintained properly, there is a lot of work to be done but I can't seem to get our mechanical tech (contractor) to stay on task and complete his work in a timely manner.
Does anyone have any advice on how to get him motivated without having to hold his hand through each task or going to the service contract account manager?





RE: How can I motivate my mechanical tech to get his work done?
If he is older than you; show him you are interested in his input on the design side of things, he will take it as a compliment and this will likely motivate him to do the job.
If he is younger than you; crack that whip as hard as you can
Fe (IronX32)
RE: How can I motivate my mechanical tech to get his work done?
RE: How can I motivate my mechanical tech to get his work done?
"(contractor)" do you mean he is (a) an employee of some other company and assigned to your site or do you mean (b) he is a Job-Shopper (hired through an Agency) therefore a pseudo-employee under contract to your company?
If it is (a) then contact his "Company" and ask them if they are interested in bidding on the renewal of the current Contract.
If they are then tell them their bid must include a different Representative for your site.
If it is (b) then go to your HR (Human Resources)and tell them that the current employee is not performing in an acceptable manner and ask them to set up a meeting with the Agency management to discuss a replacement. Also check this with HR, in most places you can fire a job-shopper without cause at anytime.
RE: How can I motivate my mechanical tech to get his work done?
You shouldn't have to give a reason, nor engage in any confrontation.
You don't have to take crap from shoppers or contractors.
The sooner you react to this sort of test, and it _is_ a test, the less crap you'll get from the next contractor. ... and from the direct employees, too. They are all watching.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: How can I motivate my mechanical tech to get his work done?
Get new contract company
RE: How can I motivate my mechanical tech to get his work done?
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
http://mmcengineering.tripod.com
RE: How can I motivate my mechanical tech to get his work done?
Allow that person do the job.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: How can I motivate my mechanical tech to get his work done?
Any worthwhile answer depends on knowing such things as indicated by the great variety of answers any of which might apply to different circumstances.
Main points.
Are your requests reasonable given the price you pay for the service.
Do you have the power to replace him.
Is his issue motivation.
Is his issue lack of ability.
Is his issue to do with pride/status/alfa male type emotions.
Regards
Pat
See FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies for tips on use of eng-tips by professional engineers &
http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm
for site rules
RE: How can I motivate my mechanical tech to get his work done?
RE: How can I motivate my mechanical tech to get his work done?
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
http://mmcengineering.tripod.com
RE: How can I motivate my mechanical tech to get his work done?
RE: How can I motivate my mechanical tech to get his work done?
Involving Management or HR in anything is always risky because they can invert the situation so easily.
Look into the history on this.
Who had responsibility before you? What issues did they have and how did they try to resolve them? Why did they leave/transfer/get fired etc.?
Let's assume that you have already been round this with the guy a couple of times. You've tried being nice. You've tried not ordering him and he chose to regard requests as implying optional compliance. You tried simply telling him. He is being a jerk whatever you do.
Have an "unofficial" word with HR. Tell your boss you had this meet with HR.
This is a heads up but doesn't require them to do anything but it does show you are prepared to act, that you are having problems but you are ready to handle it yourself.
Ask about the guy's contract terms and job description etc.
Ask HR if you have the authority to simply fire the guy or if you have to jump through hoops first.
You don't have to explain because if they all see you investigating ways to fire this bloke they will ask you what it's about. That way you are not "whining to management" you are simply making sure you know and follow procedure.
Just explain also that what you intend to do is first try putting the fear of god into the guy.
This ought to put both HR and management behind you.
Now call the guy in for a chat.
Tell him that you are unhappy with his work and attitude.
Tell him what you expect and where and why and how he is not delivering.
Ask him if there is any reason why he is not delivering? Get clear answers and keep after him till he either answers or concedes.
Then tell him you expect an immediate improvement.
Tell him this was an informal chat just to make sure there are no misunderstandings.
Then tell him that if he doesn't improve you will have to take official notice. Tell him what the next step will be.... either an official warning with HR etc or he will simply be fired, whatever HR said you could do. Tell him you are who he reports to and that you have the power to kick him out any time (to kick him out, not "have the power to have him kicked out").
Now give him the opportunity to say something.
Make sure you ask him at least twice if he is going to meet your standards and that he answers you both times. This makes sure there are no mistakes. It lets him know you aren't fooling.
Now show him a copy of his job description and let him know that HR gave you this copy.
Date it and then get him to sign the copy saying that he has discussed this with you and accepts this is what he is required to do. This doesn't actually mean a damn thing because he is already bound by it but it puts him in the position if actually agreeing to do his work and it makes him think that HR are behind you.
Tell him you will be watching him very closely.
Now each time you set out his weeks/days tasks for him, give him a written copy of scheduled work. Get him to read it and raise any problems. Them make him initial it. Get formal with him. He can have no excuses. No "You didn't tell me to do that".
Tell him you don't want to have to do it this way but you have no choice.
Tell him you also expect him to be pro-active. Tell him you don't want to be managing him all day long, that he knows what his responsibilities are and should be pro-active in doing them.
Now do what you said.
You can update your boss and HR unofficially on what you've done and what was agreed.
Now, its up to him.
You have set out your stall.
HR and management know there is an issue and know you are handling it by yourself and don't need hand holding.
They ought now to be ready to back you up because they are alerted.
JMW
www.ViscoAnalyser.com
RE: How can I motivate my mechanical tech to get his work done?
To have them solve it you need to make it an obvious problem for them if they don't. If they are very friendly with the tech, you may need to question where their loyalties lay.
Regards
Pat
See FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies for tips on use of eng-tips by professional engineers &
http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm
for site rules
RE: How can I motivate my mechanical tech to get his work done?
Question #1
You stated As I am inheritting a system that has not been maintained properly... What is this techs responsibility for this pre-existing situation? Did he create it? Did he inheret the situation also? In my experience situations like this originate from either lack of higher management concern (ineptness), or from short-term-over-long-term cost savings decisions by managment (penny-pitching).
Question #2
You continue to state: ...there is a lot of work to be done but I can't seem to get our mechanical tech (contractor) to stay on task and complete his work in a timely manner. Let me ask - what is his motivation to perform better? Seems to me that you've already answered the question - he is a contractor, and as such has no long-term ownership in the situation. Again, sounds to me like a situation setup by decisions made by upper management to save money - and - well - you get what you pay for. So, if this is another decision by higher management are you going to punish him, and what would that achieve?
Question (actually a insight) #3
You indicate about yourself: I'm an entry level mech. engr... Congratulations ! In military terms, you are a Second Lieutenant! You are an officer (salaried), and he's enlisted (hourly). As an officer you have to show leadership. Now, there is a drawback to being a Lieutenant and demonstrating leadership. Leadership is done in the muck and mire with the men leading them from the front. In WW2, the highest percentage casualties by rank were Lieutenants - their duty was to lead. Now, if you want to kick-his-butt (as someone suggested) you have to get behind him, which means you are not leading. If he really and truely is not performing, then get the sargent on his ass - in this case, that would be the service account manager. Sargents kick butt. If you go to higher management, be prepared to piss.
Question (and insight) #4
You stated: ...without having to hold his hand through each task... Coaching goes hand-in-hand with leadership. Coaching is part of creating a team. Do you want this guy on your side(team)? If you don't want to hold his hand, then hold your wang and join middle-management.
As an engineer you have been taught how to solve problems. Good engineers solve problems in unique ways few others try. Try building something out of this situation, and if possible, work with the tech to find the solution beneficial to both of you.
RE: How can I motivate my mechanical tech to get his work done?
On a more practical level, make up a list of of the shortcomings and discrepancies you have on the plant, then sit down with your contractor and ask him why these things have not been attended to.
Write down the reasons( excuses), you may find things like no money, instructions to defer from upper management, haven't had time yet,and yet more that have not been mentioned yet.
Do not judge or remonstrate with the man, just pay attention and listen.
Then go back to your office and make a paredo chart. Pick the item on the top, and start tracking down just what it is going to take, to get that particular item fixed.
Then do it. Order parts, get money, whatever it takes.
After that, go for the next item. Pretty soon, you will have the plant running the way you want it,
B.E.
The good engineer does not need to memorize every formula; he just needs to know where he can find them when he needs them. Old professor
RE: How can I motivate my mechanical tech to get his work done?
Hydrology, Drainage Analysis, Flood Studies, and Complex Stormwater Litigation for Atlanta and the South East - http://www.campbellcivil.com
RE: How can I motivate my mechanical tech to get his work done?
RE: How can I motivate my mechanical tech to get his work done?
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: How can I motivate my mechanical tech to get his work done?
RE: How can I motivate my mechanical tech to get his work done?
RE: How can I motivate my mechanical tech to get his work done?
If they are failing to provide this service to the standard required, then yes it's ethical to end the contract with them.
If I take my car to the garage for an oil change, and they don't have it done on the day promised, is it ethical for me to never go to that garage again?
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: How can I motivate my mechanical tech to get his work done?
It's not my job to babysit every employee and make sure they do their job... if they're capable of doing it and know it needs to be done, that's all it should take. If I have to babysit or demand it be done, they're gone. Nothing unethical, and it's certainly just!
Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: How can I motivate my mechanical tech to get his work done?
RE: How can I motivate my mechanical tech to get his work done?
If you have removed the excuses and the job is still not getting done, then your next step is to remove the contractor.
B.E.
The good engineer does not need to memorize every formula; he just needs to know where he can find them when he needs them. Old professor
RE: How can I motivate my mechanical tech to get his work done?
Did you actually read this thread. That was not the majority of advice given. That was fairly evenly mixed with a great variety of advice. The advice varied because of lack of relevant data on which to base it.
Fire his ass may well be the appropriate, depending on WHY he is not doing the job as required. It is unethical to fire people for no good reason. It is also unethical to waste your companies money paying for unsatisfactory service.
Regards
Pat
See FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies for tips on use of eng-tips by professional engineers &
http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm
for site rules
RE: How can I motivate my mechanical tech to get his work done?
No feedback from the OP.
JMW
www.ViscoAnalyser.com
RE: How can I motivate my mechanical tech to get his work done?
RE: How can I motivate my mechanical tech to get his work done?
I ended up making a structured, written and prioritized list of tasks to be done that he had not been tracking himself. In short, he realized how far behind he was and brought out an apprentice (at his company's expense) to help catch up on the high priority tasks.
Hopefully this trend will continue on its current trend and keep getting better.
RE: How can I motivate my mechanical tech to get his work done?
Regards
Pat
See FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies for tips on use of eng-tips by professional engineers &
http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm
for site rules
RE: How can I motivate my mechanical tech to get his work done?
""I ended up making a structured, written and prioritized list of tasks to be done that he had not been tracking himself. In short, he realized how far behind he was and brought out an apprentice (at his company's expense) to help catch up on the high priority tasks.""
There you go, now stay with it.
B.E.
The good engineer does not need to memorize every formula; he just needs to know where he can find them when he needs them. Old professor