Question:
I started working in the office of a production plant (aka factory) a few months ago. I have a good friend who started working there as a Materials Engineering Co-op a few years ago. He told me his boss was looking for a "computer" co-op, so i went in for an interview and got the job. I'm a computer engineering student, basically what they needed was a database administrator... no where close to what I want to do with my life, but hey, it's computers so I figure I can handle it.
They have a new database system that they're trying to get up and running. It's a custom made software package, that's incomplete, lacking documentation, and built around a seriously outdated version of MS Access.
No one every really told me what my job at this place is, and I don't even know who is technically my direct supervisor (the plant manager hired me, but I do most of my work with accounting people). The people who were there before me trying to implement this database, recognize as well that the program sucks, so they're not helping much.
Anyway, to the point of this thread... there's basically nothing for me to do at this place... I mean, there is, but I've kind of lost direction and no one around there has time or cares to help. So most days, I basically go in and waste time then leave. It's gotten worse since I started school & I'm only working 12 hrs a week. Typically I check my email about 20 times, drink a lot of coffee, talk to people while trying to look busy, etc.
I feel really bad about doing this, because it's almost like stealing fom the company. It's bad work ethic and it's not showing much integrity. But my problem is... I NEED a job, and nowhere else is going to pay me this well for as few hours as I can work with my screwed up class schedule. I have car insurance, gas expense, food... I still live at home & don't pay rent, but I still need a job. I'm 20, I can't expect my parents to pay for everything, even if I am in college full time. So I mean, it's not my fault they don't tell me what to work on, right? I used to wander around the office for about an hour every morning trying to find someone with a random excel task I work on or something to that effect, but lately i've given up on that.
Answer:
If they don't tell you what to work on then maybe you should ask. Talk to your boss about it maybe.
Answer:
First, I remember twenty, still the same right?
No seriously, first you're a child of God. You're paid to do a job. So do the job, and tell the boss the system sucks after you offer suggestions (more than one) to repair/replace the problem.
Being a buisness and making money is what the heart of your 'boss talk' should look like to him (maybe that's what he's looking for?).
When a buisness runs well, product increases = more money. Sometimes(?) it takes money, to make money.
Last, show the boss you got a brain, if he's a smart boss, he'll use it (and you'll be worth your salt).
Answer:
Originally Posted by bread man If they don't tell you what to work on then maybe you should ask. Talk to your boss about it maybe.
The thing is... I do ask what I should work on. I rarely get a real answer. Usually I get a, "I'm going to finish up this task which is more important than you, then I'll get right to taking a look at what you're asking me about".
Answer:
Originally Posted by sgary Last, show the boss you got a brain, if he's a smart boss, he'll use it (and you'll be worth your salt).
He's not a smart boss. I think the reason he keeps me around is that I often help him with really stupid computer problems and other seemingly obivous things.
I kid you not, one day he had this question about this spreadsheet I did a lot of work on... "This number says we've made 500,000 this month, but this number says we've made $450,000. Why aren't the same?" As politely as possible, I had to explain to him that one was the number of PIECES made, and the other was the DOLLAR value of those pieces, evaluated at selling price. Hence the DOLLAR SIGN!
He's relatively new at his job too. He's only been at this plant for about 8 months, while most of the non management people who know what they're doing have been there for years. I guess that's what selling an unprofitable plant does.
Oh, did I mention that my boss is a huge fan of the F-bomb too? Doesn't matter who he's talking to or how civilized all the other people in the board meeting are being. Except when he's talking the CEO of the company.
Answer:
I think you should talk to him about your concerns with everything and if he's not willing to do anything then props to you for getting paid for doing nothing.