Why work makes it difficult
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: CowTown, CA
Posts: 81
Why work makes it difficult
This is going to be a long rant, so bear with me. 
First some background. I have been working for my company since 1996, first at the main site, now at another site for the last 3 years. The business is biotech, and I am an Instrumentation and Controls Specialist.
I am a very technical type person, very good with both computer hardware and software. I believe that computers give us the ability to organize, plan, and execute more efficiently. When I worked at the main site, in addition to my regular duties, I had numerous opportunities to create complex spreadsheets, some fairly simple databases, Power_point presentations, all those kind of computer products. My peers and supervisors were always very happy with the results. Some of these projects had to undergo vigorous testing and validation per FDA regulations. Some minor fixes were required, but nothing drastic. I will go ahead and toot my own horn here, and say I am an above average computer user. I can intuitively pick up on new software and can usually help people with problems they may have, or enhancements/advanced functionality to their existing work. These skills and examples, as well as extensive training in this area are part of my resume package that is currently on file at my new location.
I decided to apply for a position at the new location because it is about a 5 minute drive from my house, versus the 1 to 1.5 hour commute into the city I faced before. I just wanted to continue to live where I do, in the burbs, and still have a good paying job close by. However, because of the size of the maintenance staff at this plant, we are required to cross train. There are only 8 of us to maintain the entire plant, 4 instrumentation guys, and 4 mechanics. The instrument guys have to learn as much as possible about the mechanic’s jobs, but not so much the other way. So we pick up a lot of the load from them, but they are discouraged from really doing much on our side, as it’s very easy to really screw things up. I knew all this going in, but the plant is growing, and I figured that, in time, I could get back to the more technical side of things.
So after a month or so, I start to realize that our Director is computer phobic.
His perception is that if you are using the computer, you must be f'ing off, and you obviously aren’t out in the field doing some mindless task. He just does not see the value and time saving things that can be accomplished. The computer products they did have were poorly structured, amateurishly created, and rarely enhanced or improved. “It’s good enough” he says. “It could be better and more useful” I would say. Not to mention I think his admin asst, the one who undoubtedly created most of this junk, was feeling a bit butt hurt that I insinuated her computer skills left much to be desired. Seeing I was fighting a losing battle, I finally gave up trying to help them (us), and accepted my fate as a run-of-the-mill facilities tech, silently hoping that the opportunity will come some day.
Well, time goes by, and I continue to bite my tongue for the most part until a year ago, when they changed over to a new database to track all our equipment and work. Prior to this time, I had read access to the old database, which I really needed to do my job well. The only reason I had it was because I had it at the main site, and it was a shared system. None of the other techs or mechanics had access at the new site, but they did have access to a rather limited but functional web based query page where they could look up some basic info. It was good enough that I rarely had to use my access to the actual database, although sometimes that was the only way I could find the info that I needed to do my job, especially in the middle of the night when Queen Bitch-Face wasn’t around. So they roll out this new database and migrate all the data. Now, all my abilities to look up information I need to do my job are gone. I was expected to search through the paper records anytime I needed to find any information I might need. Not very efficient. So I asked to get a read only account so I could actually USE the ‘great new database’. Of course, computer phobic boss does not see why I should need to access the database, even though all of our test specs, equipment histories, parts inventories, etc are right there, easily searchable. No he would rather I (and all of us) take 3 times as long to find what I need, because God forbid, I would be on the computer, and everyone knows that when you are working on the computer, you must be f'ing off. They did finally come up with another web based query page, but it seriously sucks, and rarely can I find what I’m looking for. I’ve tried submitting service requests to have things fixed on it, but they never seem to understand my problem, even when I accompany these requests with detailed descriptions, screenshots, links, etc. It’s like I’m talking in some other language or something. So for me, it’s pretty much unusable, and I just look for original paper to find what I need. If they want to pay me to waste time, who am I to argue.
About 3 weeks ago we hired another Instrumentation tech to replace a guy who left. We really need help in the field, as the position had been open for over a year, and we were barely getting our scheduled work done, much less able to handle emergency calls or try to be proactive and get ahead of things. This guy has no field experience, no process control experience, and no mechanical experience. He was a strictly analytical instrument guy, with experience on bench top lab equipment only. Further troubling was the fact that he had been working a desk job as a planner for the last couple of years. Definitely not the well-rounded skill set we need, but they were desperate to fill the position, so they hired him. I wasn’t really too concerned, because I had come from a similar background, though not as limited skills wise. I was able to adapt, so would he, or so I thought. Coincidentally, the same week, Queen Bitch-Face’s assistant (who does nearly all of the data entry, and who had worked hard to try to work bugs out of the ‘great new database’) decided she had had enough of the madness, and transferred to another department. There we were, the only person who could use the database was gone. What now? Well wouldn’t you know, the new guy worked with the very same database at his last job. So what did they do? You guessed it, they gave him access, and not just read only, but full blown admin access. They also gave him access to just about everything, and he is making all the changes and enhancements that I have been trying to convince them to let me do for 3 years. When I asked why he was getting to do all this, when I have been patiently asking for years, they told me “because he is good at it!!!!!" OMFG, did you even bother to read my resume? Have you even been listening to me? I was dumbfounded. And, as if that wasn’t enough of a slap in the face, they are also letting him make upgrades to our Office suite, because “He’s used to Office 2003”. Well, I’m NOT, and the other 6 guys aren’t either. I can pick it up quick enough, but some of the other guys have a hard enough time as it is, without changing versions on them for no good reason except to placate the new guy, who I now refer to as “Wonder-Boy”. Meanwhile, we are all carrying the extra load in the field, while he sits on his ass all day doing computer stuff. Seriously, I can count on one hand the number of times he’s ventured out of the office area. Needless to say, I’m about as pissed as you can be, and the whole situation has me thinking about stepping the job search up to another level. I feel like I’m going to just completely go off one of these days. You see, Wonder-Boy comes in at 6AM after I’ve been working for 12 hours, and usually hops right on the computer (yes, the computer, as in one…see computer phobic boss, above), then proceeds to insult my intelligence by offering to “look it up for you” when he overhears as I explain to my supervisor (not computer phobic boss) that I was unable to complete such-and-such task because I could not locate the information, AS IF I DON’T KNOW HOW!!!! Thank you very much, BUT I AM PERFECTLY CAPABLE OF DOING IT MYSELF, AND IF I COULD I WOULD!! HOW ABOUT YOU PUT ON A PAIR OF COVERALLS AND DO SOME REAL WORK, INSTEAD OF SITTING HERE STEALING MY THUNDER AND INSULTING MY INTELLIGENCE.
So, do you think I may be harboring a few resentments here?
First some background. I have been working for my company since 1996, first at the main site, now at another site for the last 3 years. The business is biotech, and I am an Instrumentation and Controls Specialist.
I am a very technical type person, very good with both computer hardware and software. I believe that computers give us the ability to organize, plan, and execute more efficiently. When I worked at the main site, in addition to my regular duties, I had numerous opportunities to create complex spreadsheets, some fairly simple databases, Power_point presentations, all those kind of computer products. My peers and supervisors were always very happy with the results. Some of these projects had to undergo vigorous testing and validation per FDA regulations. Some minor fixes were required, but nothing drastic. I will go ahead and toot my own horn here, and say I am an above average computer user. I can intuitively pick up on new software and can usually help people with problems they may have, or enhancements/advanced functionality to their existing work. These skills and examples, as well as extensive training in this area are part of my resume package that is currently on file at my new location.
I decided to apply for a position at the new location because it is about a 5 minute drive from my house, versus the 1 to 1.5 hour commute into the city I faced before. I just wanted to continue to live where I do, in the burbs, and still have a good paying job close by. However, because of the size of the maintenance staff at this plant, we are required to cross train. There are only 8 of us to maintain the entire plant, 4 instrumentation guys, and 4 mechanics. The instrument guys have to learn as much as possible about the mechanic’s jobs, but not so much the other way. So we pick up a lot of the load from them, but they are discouraged from really doing much on our side, as it’s very easy to really screw things up. I knew all this going in, but the plant is growing, and I figured that, in time, I could get back to the more technical side of things.
So after a month or so, I start to realize that our Director is computer phobic.
His perception is that if you are using the computer, you must be f'ing off, and you obviously aren’t out in the field doing some mindless task. He just does not see the value and time saving things that can be accomplished. The computer products they did have were poorly structured, amateurishly created, and rarely enhanced or improved. “It’s good enough” he says. “It could be better and more useful” I would say. Not to mention I think his admin asst, the one who undoubtedly created most of this junk, was feeling a bit butt hurt that I insinuated her computer skills left much to be desired. Seeing I was fighting a losing battle, I finally gave up trying to help them (us), and accepted my fate as a run-of-the-mill facilities tech, silently hoping that the opportunity will come some day.Well, time goes by, and I continue to bite my tongue for the most part until a year ago, when they changed over to a new database to track all our equipment and work. Prior to this time, I had read access to the old database, which I really needed to do my job well. The only reason I had it was because I had it at the main site, and it was a shared system. None of the other techs or mechanics had access at the new site, but they did have access to a rather limited but functional web based query page where they could look up some basic info. It was good enough that I rarely had to use my access to the actual database, although sometimes that was the only way I could find the info that I needed to do my job, especially in the middle of the night when Queen Bitch-Face wasn’t around. So they roll out this new database and migrate all the data. Now, all my abilities to look up information I need to do my job are gone. I was expected to search through the paper records anytime I needed to find any information I might need. Not very efficient. So I asked to get a read only account so I could actually USE the ‘great new database’. Of course, computer phobic boss does not see why I should need to access the database, even though all of our test specs, equipment histories, parts inventories, etc are right there, easily searchable. No he would rather I (and all of us) take 3 times as long to find what I need, because God forbid, I would be on the computer, and everyone knows that when you are working on the computer, you must be f'ing off. They did finally come up with another web based query page, but it seriously sucks, and rarely can I find what I’m looking for. I’ve tried submitting service requests to have things fixed on it, but they never seem to understand my problem, even when I accompany these requests with detailed descriptions, screenshots, links, etc. It’s like I’m talking in some other language or something. So for me, it’s pretty much unusable, and I just look for original paper to find what I need. If they want to pay me to waste time, who am I to argue.
About 3 weeks ago we hired another Instrumentation tech to replace a guy who left. We really need help in the field, as the position had been open for over a year, and we were barely getting our scheduled work done, much less able to handle emergency calls or try to be proactive and get ahead of things. This guy has no field experience, no process control experience, and no mechanical experience. He was a strictly analytical instrument guy, with experience on bench top lab equipment only. Further troubling was the fact that he had been working a desk job as a planner for the last couple of years. Definitely not the well-rounded skill set we need, but they were desperate to fill the position, so they hired him. I wasn’t really too concerned, because I had come from a similar background, though not as limited skills wise. I was able to adapt, so would he, or so I thought. Coincidentally, the same week, Queen Bitch-Face’s assistant (who does nearly all of the data entry, and who had worked hard to try to work bugs out of the ‘great new database’) decided she had had enough of the madness, and transferred to another department. There we were, the only person who could use the database was gone. What now? Well wouldn’t you know, the new guy worked with the very same database at his last job. So what did they do? You guessed it, they gave him access, and not just read only, but full blown admin access. They also gave him access to just about everything, and he is making all the changes and enhancements that I have been trying to convince them to let me do for 3 years. When I asked why he was getting to do all this, when I have been patiently asking for years, they told me “because he is good at it!!!!!" OMFG, did you even bother to read my resume? Have you even been listening to me? I was dumbfounded. And, as if that wasn’t enough of a slap in the face, they are also letting him make upgrades to our Office suite, because “He’s used to Office 2003”. Well, I’m NOT, and the other 6 guys aren’t either. I can pick it up quick enough, but some of the other guys have a hard enough time as it is, without changing versions on them for no good reason except to placate the new guy, who I now refer to as “Wonder-Boy”. Meanwhile, we are all carrying the extra load in the field, while he sits on his ass all day doing computer stuff. Seriously, I can count on one hand the number of times he’s ventured out of the office area. Needless to say, I’m about as pissed as you can be, and the whole situation has me thinking about stepping the job search up to another level. I feel like I’m going to just completely go off one of these days. You see, Wonder-Boy comes in at 6AM after I’ve been working for 12 hours, and usually hops right on the computer (yes, the computer, as in one…see computer phobic boss, above), then proceeds to insult my intelligence by offering to “look it up for you” when he overhears as I explain to my supervisor (not computer phobic boss) that I was unable to complete such-and-such task because I could not locate the information, AS IF I DON’T KNOW HOW!!!! Thank you very much, BUT I AM PERFECTLY CAPABLE OF DOING IT MYSELF, AND IF I COULD I WOULD!! HOW ABOUT YOU PUT ON A PAIR OF COVERALLS AND DO SOME REAL WORK, INSTEAD OF SITTING HERE STEALING MY THUNDER AND INSULTING MY INTELLIGENCE.
So, do you think I may be harboring a few resentments here?
Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 127
Originally Posted by C2H5OH_Free 
So, do you think I may be harboring a few resentments here?
Wow, C2! That _was_ quite the rant! I think it was probably a good thing for you to write it all down and get it out. It sure does sound like you are having a lot of frustration and even anger over your work situation. I'm sorry that's going on for you.
The first thing you DON'T want to do, however, is try to drink the resentment away. (I'm speaking from experience here...)
I don't understand the finer points of your situation, but I get the gist of it. The bottom line seems to be that you are very unhappy where you are. That may very well be the universe/God/HP sending you a message: time to move on! If the train doesn't stop at your station...it's NOT YOUR TRAIN!
It seems like you are on the right track when you talk about stepping up the job search. In the meantime, maybe you could take a course to brush up your skills or learn something new? You might enjoy doing something like that, and it might bring you into contact with new ideas and/or new people who could help you to move in a more positive direction.
Good luck!
Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Brighton UK
Posts: 328
They have definitely pigeon holed you mate. I am an IT consultant and here is my suggestion to you. Sounds like you have an active interest and ability with computer technology so you should start doing the Microsoft exams. After you have completed about 8 of them you will become qualified as an MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer). If you can devote two to three hours study each night you should be able to get this qualification within 3 to 6 months. You then have to option of presenting this qualification to your employer. The ball is in their court: if they continue to pigeon hole you then the qualification this will help you to get an IT job - and with experience you will probably earn a decent salary. Good Luck.
Illegitimi Non Carborundum
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Old Home Terra
Posts: 4,272
Hey C2... I can relate... I've seen the pattern multiple times, and you are not alone...
Aside from the unintentional insults, I'll bet there's a lot of other feelings broiling around too... Things like frustration and feeling as though you are being punished for trying to work "within the rules" during all this time... Hurt over feeling voiceless and as though you don't matter or are invisible... Wondering if maybe some strangling would help your boss's listening skills... Maybe some exasperation... Am I close?
I've been in that situation once or twice, and its not fun. Ultimately I left of my own accord the times it happened, and that was what was needed in order to bring about any useful change.
First remember that the new guy didn't ask to be placed in a situation where he's pissing off his co-workers daily. Chances are that he's enjoying his new position and the work he's doing these days, and who can blame him? Anybody would too. There's no point in taking things out on him... I'd also consider maybe mentioning during a chat sometime that everyone knows how to look things up -- what everyone doesn't have is access which he miraculously seems to have been granted, (probably based on a simple phone call from your boss -- something to think about)...
Next remember that no one defines you except YOU... Others can think what they want of you all they want, and be as far off-base as they want, it still doesn't change who you are... You demonstrate who you are by your actions, your responses, your behaviors (all of which may be chosen) -- you aren't defined by other people's conclusions (that's their choice), even if they act on those conclusions...
One of your ongoing choices is whether to stay there or move on... I think it'd be a good idea to get more serious about the job search. It sounds to me like your boss has already decided what you're about as far as the company (his requirements) is concerned... He's not interested in your career -- that's yours to mind -- what he cares about is someone competent in "...technician spot three..." (or whatever). The boss will entertain a certain maximum level of "noise from your general direction" provided doing so keeps you working and fulfilling that spot... If it were me, I'd move on, (and that's the tricky part)...
Something you might want to consider while you're still there is putting together a functional requirements document of some sort, to hand to your boss who hands it to your new co-worker. Some involvement is better than no involvement, and it might give you a chance to demonstrate your skills, (and for others to notice them). It might build some "trust" with your boss, influencing his perception of time YOU spend "on the computer".
If you can't improve (through action) where you're at, then its time to move on to somewhere else... A transfer to another department or location within the same company might be a possibility, in which case you'll need your current boss's "blessing", (or at the least, not have built yourself a reputation for whining or causing trouble). Your current boss is the first person your prospective new boss will want to talk with, (even before he talks with you)... In any case, when you move on, wouldn't you rather it was friendly and amenable rather than nasty or bitter?
Its a bit of a rough situation right now, maybe even filled with daily "slaps in the face" that go unnoticed. Watch the emotions and remember your professionalism... Also remember that's its a lot easier to switch jobs while you're still working...
You are not alone.
(Hope this helps...)
Aside from the unintentional insults, I'll bet there's a lot of other feelings broiling around too... Things like frustration and feeling as though you are being punished for trying to work "within the rules" during all this time... Hurt over feeling voiceless and as though you don't matter or are invisible... Wondering if maybe some strangling would help your boss's listening skills... Maybe some exasperation... Am I close?
I've been in that situation once or twice, and its not fun. Ultimately I left of my own accord the times it happened, and that was what was needed in order to bring about any useful change.
First remember that the new guy didn't ask to be placed in a situation where he's pissing off his co-workers daily. Chances are that he's enjoying his new position and the work he's doing these days, and who can blame him? Anybody would too. There's no point in taking things out on him... I'd also consider maybe mentioning during a chat sometime that everyone knows how to look things up -- what everyone doesn't have is access which he miraculously seems to have been granted, (probably based on a simple phone call from your boss -- something to think about)...
Next remember that no one defines you except YOU... Others can think what they want of you all they want, and be as far off-base as they want, it still doesn't change who you are... You demonstrate who you are by your actions, your responses, your behaviors (all of which may be chosen) -- you aren't defined by other people's conclusions (that's their choice), even if they act on those conclusions...
One of your ongoing choices is whether to stay there or move on... I think it'd be a good idea to get more serious about the job search. It sounds to me like your boss has already decided what you're about as far as the company (his requirements) is concerned... He's not interested in your career -- that's yours to mind -- what he cares about is someone competent in "...technician spot three..." (or whatever). The boss will entertain a certain maximum level of "noise from your general direction" provided doing so keeps you working and fulfilling that spot... If it were me, I'd move on, (and that's the tricky part)...
Something you might want to consider while you're still there is putting together a functional requirements document of some sort, to hand to your boss who hands it to your new co-worker. Some involvement is better than no involvement, and it might give you a chance to demonstrate your skills, (and for others to notice them). It might build some "trust" with your boss, influencing his perception of time YOU spend "on the computer".
If you can't improve (through action) where you're at, then its time to move on to somewhere else... A transfer to another department or location within the same company might be a possibility, in which case you'll need your current boss's "blessing", (or at the least, not have built yourself a reputation for whining or causing trouble). Your current boss is the first person your prospective new boss will want to talk with, (even before he talks with you)... In any case, when you move on, wouldn't you rather it was friendly and amenable rather than nasty or bitter?
Its a bit of a rough situation right now, maybe even filled with daily "slaps in the face" that go unnoticed. Watch the emotions and remember your professionalism... Also remember that's its a lot easier to switch jobs while you're still working...
You are not alone.
(Hope this helps...)
Administrator
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Dancing in the Light
Posts: 61,505
Yeah, I agree with Green Tea.
You can't blame the new guy for what's happened to him. He's just doing the job he was hired to do.
And, I definitely think it's time to move on. Maybe a change is what you need.
You can't blame the new guy for what's happened to him. He's just doing the job he was hired to do.
And, I definitely think it's time to move on. Maybe a change is what you need.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: CowTown, CA
Posts: 81
Thanks ya'll 
Writing it down was awesome. Normally, when I get frustrated like that, I'd stop and get a pint on the way home, and drink it in about 2 hours, then **** and moan about it. Writing it down, and really exploring the feelings about it, was the better way to handle it, and you know, as soon as I pressed the 'submit' button, I felt better.
Green Tea, your first paragraph about other feelings kind of freaked me out. Do you know me? LOL
Writing it down was awesome. Normally, when I get frustrated like that, I'd stop and get a pint on the way home, and drink it in about 2 hours, then **** and moan about it. Writing it down, and really exploring the feelings about it, was the better way to handle it, and you know, as soon as I pressed the 'submit' button, I felt better.
Green Tea, your first paragraph about other feelings kind of freaked me out.
Do you know me? LOL
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