Workplace inequality issue...
- Thread starter fimpBIKES
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fimpBIKES
Likes Dirt
*awkward pause*...
PINT of Stella. mate!
Many, many Scotches
Operation Yewtree will be in touch
this sort of flexibility can go both ways. some people take advantage of it, others make the effort to ensure they are always well and truly caught up or ahead. If both the boss and the employee play fair, and accept that sometimes you have to move to fit some demands, everyone wins. It's not like the parents are getting time off for themselves, but they should also be aware of their obligations to workmates too, and the boss should be on top of that.
I started working for myself 2 years ago, lots of flexibility, but lots of very long days and if I don't discipline myself to do the hours and do the admin, no pay. the payoff on that, I can walk my kids to school and pick them up, I can take a couple of hours to go riding if i'm on top of things but often get back to work after the kids go to bed.
Not sure what sort of role you are in, but sometimes you do just need to be there during office hours. I used to work with one senior programmer who was always much later than his agreed late start, and whilst he worked back to make up those hours it was a massive pain as he was just wasn't there when things needed to be done, meetings needed to be called etc.
and if riding a singlespeed makes you 5 minutes late, gears may help.
I started working for myself 2 years ago, lots of flexibility, but lots of very long days and if I don't discipline myself to do the hours and do the admin, no pay. the payoff on that, I can walk my kids to school and pick them up, I can take a couple of hours to go riding if i'm on top of things but often get back to work after the kids go to bed.
Not sure what sort of role you are in, but sometimes you do just need to be there during office hours. I used to work with one senior programmer who was always much later than his agreed late start, and whilst he worked back to make up those hours it was a massive pain as he was just wasn't there when things needed to be done, meetings needed to be called etc.
and if riding a singlespeed makes you 5 minutes late, gears may help.
Capone
Likes Dirt
I hate this sense of entitlement parents seem to have in the workplace.
- The ones who think work is a daycare centre
- The ones who constantly duck off early or don't come in due to some issue with their child.
- The fact they are the first to judge you when you ask for a day off.
Flexibility in a work place is designed to benefit all employee's, sadly it seems you need a child as a condition of entry.
- The ones who think work is a daycare centre
- The ones who constantly duck off early or don't come in due to some issue with their child.
- The fact they are the first to judge you when you ask for a day off.
Flexibility in a work place is designed to benefit all employee's, sadly it seems you need a child as a condition of entry.
fimpBIKES
Likes Dirt
looked into the legal side of it a while ago
you seem to have rights IF its due to having children
http://www.fairwork.gov.au/factshee...sts-for-flexible-working-arrangements-NES.pdf
I can see why the government have this in place, but it sucks not to have a legal leg to stand on unless you have children
drafting up a proper request last night, will finish tonight and then bring this up at my half yearly review.
i agree with tubby24, i have worked with people like that before and it becomes incredibly frustrating
what i will propose is for flexible starting hours to be available with one weeks notice and only if meetings arent scheduled in that time.
i am in a bit of a pickle as i am needed here during work hours, but then again i am also needed here during day and arvo shift workshop hours and i dont currently work 18hrs a day! if im contactable by phone i dont see the issue
as far as being well and truly caught up, that isnt possible. we are constantly (as a department) running at least a month behind, which is another thing i am actively trying to fix through developing procedures and workflow charts.
those sorts of activities would be much easier to do outside of work due to the distractions of the office
i'll bring it up, try not to appear like im "rocking the boat" and see if they are willing to budge a bit
like i said i am looking elsewhere so that might be the way to go
for those who are self employed, is anyone in engineering? i know of one bloke we use who does risk-assessments and DFMEA's as a contractor and does very well for himself, anyone do this kind of work or freelance design?
just not sure if i have the kind of network required to make the leap to this kind of work
you seem to have rights IF its due to having children
http://www.fairwork.gov.au/factshee...sts-for-flexible-working-arrangements-NES.pdf
I can see why the government have this in place, but it sucks not to have a legal leg to stand on unless you have children
drafting up a proper request last night, will finish tonight and then bring this up at my half yearly review.
i agree with tubby24, i have worked with people like that before and it becomes incredibly frustrating
what i will propose is for flexible starting hours to be available with one weeks notice and only if meetings arent scheduled in that time.
i am in a bit of a pickle as i am needed here during work hours, but then again i am also needed here during day and arvo shift workshop hours and i dont currently work 18hrs a day! if im contactable by phone i dont see the issue
as far as being well and truly caught up, that isnt possible. we are constantly (as a department) running at least a month behind, which is another thing i am actively trying to fix through developing procedures and workflow charts.
those sorts of activities would be much easier to do outside of work due to the distractions of the office
i'll bring it up, try not to appear like im "rocking the boat" and see if they are willing to budge a bit
like i said i am looking elsewhere so that might be the way to go
for those who are self employed, is anyone in engineering? i know of one bloke we use who does risk-assessments and DFMEA's as a contractor and does very well for himself, anyone do this kind of work or freelance design?
just not sure if i have the kind of network required to make the leap to this kind of work
MasterOfReality
After forever
If you have a specific role that requires you to be on site then that is all the reason they need to deny work from home arrangements. It is easier on the business and others if they can just turn up at your desk to sort something out in person, rather than working remotely. Most of our issues are solved on the whiteboard - nothing gets lost in translation that way.
I'd rather off myself than do risk assessments and DFMEA's for a living.
RCOH
Eats Squid
floody
Wheel size expert
Well yes, equality is rarely equal. Hire someone in a wheelchair for example, no good if they have to get up a flight of stairs into the only entrance is it? So concessions are made - e.g. ramp, lift, Tongan powerlifter assistant- to allow them an otherwise equal opportunity to perform along with the rest. Such is the case with children.
On the other tack,
If you're disgruntled about pay conditions and its because you're truthful, thats no good, look for a more transparent and appreciative workplace... however, If your conduct in this thread as a Very Important Engineer is a sign, I suspect you're one of those people who are very honest about others when they're angry, probably angry because others are stealing your attention, and from experience you probably need to learn to talk UP your achievements and consciously not talk DOWN others if you wish to get those payrises. Make no mistake, unless you're management its probably best to let them do the performance appraisal, since if you constantly inform them of your opinions on it they'll feel you are both an upstart and you're diminishing their ability to make the same judgements.
I'm just being honest, I'm sure since you're a hard decision making, truth dispensing straight-shooter that won't faze you in the slightest.
On the other tack,
If you're disgruntled about pay conditions and its because you're truthful, thats no good, look for a more transparent and appreciative workplace... however, If your conduct in this thread as a Very Important Engineer is a sign, I suspect you're one of those people who are very honest about others when they're angry, probably angry because others are stealing your attention, and from experience you probably need to learn to talk UP your achievements and consciously not talk DOWN others if you wish to get those payrises. Make no mistake, unless you're management its probably best to let them do the performance appraisal, since if you constantly inform them of your opinions on it they'll feel you are both an upstart and you're diminishing their ability to make the same judgements.
I'm just being honest, I'm sure since you're a hard decision making, truth dispensing straight-shooter that won't faze you in the slightest.
Rabble bukes
Likes Dirt
Sounds like this bloke is just a useless paper pusher and should just suck it the hell up. A job means you go into work, and do some actual work. Five days a week if you're paid full time. If you got young kids, then maybe letting one of the parents do a few less days to care for the kid is appropriate.
Going out on your own is alway a tough decision and procrastination will never get you started. Networks are built by leg work, solid communication, a bit of back scratching, being good at what you do, and the most important, putting your balls on the table and having a go. The Mrs an I have recently closed up our restaurant, dropped the package on the table and moved to Japan to start a new business with some mates. We, like yourself, don't have kids so it gives us the flexibility, ironic ay, to be able to do this. If you go out by yourself it will be tough, it will, test your relationship, but if you follow through, put in the hard yards you'll have your flexibility and your workplace equality but if shit goes south you'll only have yourself to blame.
Good luck
Good luck
fimpBIKES
Likes Dirt
i can take it :drama:
its true that self promoting isnt something im comfortable with (think thats an aussie thing) but i am getting better at now since in quarterly reviews we now have justify our efforts.
i dont go around slagging everyone off like i think you're saying, id fire myself if i was that special sort of jerk
i mainly get in trouble for taking what some see as the wrong/harsh actions to correct jobs that are failing
very rare though, twice last year and both times i got the job back on track
overall my boss is happy with my work but we disagree sometimes
pays not really anything to do with it, not concerned with getting more money as its very clear that this isnt negotiable
as far as paper pusher... my work is 50% deskwork and meetings 50% workshop and site testing or troubleshooting machinery
its not a purely theoretical design gig
thanks for that dougy
ive joined 2 professional societies + linkedin to improve the networking
soletraded at nights for a while a few years back but i didnt need to chase work as i was getting overflow, so not really "going solo".
congrats on what you're doing, sounds amazing!:clap2:
I'm hearing ya mate. Been there, done that, not doing it ever again!! We are currently setting up a company specialising in exporting Subaru performance cars/parts back to Aus. Have a mate that along with a regular workshop builds/races rally cars and we are setting up a supply chain to grow the business further. Real jobs for non-Japanese are pretty tight over here at the moment. How's your Japanese? This is the killer. Unless you are fluent then it's pretty much English teaching or if you're lucky(?) a job for the US military. Having spent 10 years in the RAAF this was something I was looking at but then my mate...had an idea. I'm for putting my balls on the table and giving something a crack so chopping up STi Imprezas it is.
Thanks for the support.
That's a start but you're going to have to either do it or not. No point just sitting back and waiting for it to happen. It's a difficult decision I know but it's the hard yards and the "I'm fucked if I don't" drive that'll see you succeed. It's always a big risk especially when it's not just you. My take would be. Figure out your advantage, put the wedding on hold, set up an office, and get out there and get some face time with potential clients. As an example, our advantage is that we are bilingual, in Japan and Australia, and know Subaru so that's were our focus is. Many other export agents either speak a little English or a little Japanese, try to cover too many vehicles, and are either in Japan or Australia. Keep it simple and to what you know, the old "play to your strengths". You'll take knocks, life, business, yadda, yadda, and at times you'll think "I'm over it" but that's what keeps it interesting.
toofar22
Likes Dirt
My Japanese was average, about JLPT 3 level or there abouts but it has deteriorated since returning in 2009. I was an intra company transfer and am reasonably qualified / experienced in what I do. Being an English teacher is definitely last resort. Good luck mate, hope it all works out for you,
Which rally workshop ?
doubled up...
Andy Penny's Kosciuszko Auto in Jindabyne. You rally?