Boss' repairs on company time

[goodoleboy]

If he aint busy why not? Sitting around talking for an hour is no different, neither is surfing the web at work during down times. Both are not company related the only difference is he was asked.

 

[heehaw]

every job i have had, i made sure there was a clear understanding for what i was being hired to do: i held a journeyman electrician license, but that was mine, and i did not do electrical work for the $$$ i was earning: had one, what i consided, idiot supervisor, that always said, if things get tough, "we"ll" clean toilets if we have to: my reply was always, if i didn't have any more to offer an employer than you do, i might, but i won't be cleaning company toilets, or working on the bosses stuff.
heehaw

 

[Robert_in_NY]

My friends own a couple machine shops, during slow times they will find work to keep their workers busy. This may mean painting floors or cleaning out storage rooms but the workers are happy to still be getting a pay check. Those that complain are let go. These guys don't really need these things done but they don't like laying people off unless they have no other choice. I see more and more people who take jobs for granted. The Goodyear tire plant up here just had their workers walk off the job. Their problem, they want more job security as Goodyear is sending work overseas. I do not see how hurting the company here is going to help them with their job unless they have a boss that cares more about keeping the local plant open then he cares about the bottom line. Good jobs are hard to find, but good workers are even harder to find.

 

[RayH]

I guess Im the only one so far that has been "let go" for not doing the bosses personal bidding.
Many years ago, when I was 17 I think, cleaned and detailed cars at a car dealership. Officially I was a member of the service dept. Thats where I was hired and thats the dept I got paid from. Most of what I did was for the used sales dept though. I worked closest with the used sales dept and just occasionally did work for the service dept but my direct boss was the service manager. On several occasions I would come to work to find the used sales manager's sons car or his motorcycle sitting in the bay waiting for a detail. Ok, fine, the sales manager pretty much schedules my day and he outranks me. One morning I came in and there sits the sales managers sons car waiting for a detail but there was also a couple of sevice dept customers cars that needed attention. Now I know where my paycheck comes from and I know who hired me and who I report to (service manager), so I pull the sales managers car out and start on the customers cars. That was my last day there. The sales manager came to my shop and I got into a big pi$$ing contest with him about who I worked for. We never got along anyway. After I was "fired" by the sales manager I went and talked to the service manager and explained my situation. He went to the owner of the dealership. To our surprise, it turns out a used car manager trumps a service manager.
I guess if there was a lesson in that, its, All you can do sometimes is stand up and do what feels right, the boss wont always agree you, thats the chance you take. To this day I still stand up for what I think is right. Its worked out good more than bad.

 

[MossRoad]

We have "other duties as assigned" in our job description. That pretty much covers it for the employer. For the employee, if, at any time, I am not happy with the jobs my employer assigns to me, I have the right to quit with no repercussions.

Since I've been at my current employer I've done everything from computers to commodes and back again... and never missed a paycheck. Really, who cares what you are going to do at work today? You go in, get your assignment, complete it to the best of your ability in a timely manner and get your paycheck. Then you take that money and spend it how you please, like on tractors. As long as your employer treats you with dignity, you return it with good work. If not, leave and find another job.

 

[PitbullMidwest]

My friends own a couple machine shops, during slow times they will find work to keep their workers busy. This may mean painting floors or cleaning out storage rooms but the workers are happy to still be getting a pay check. Those that complain are let go. These guys don't really need these things done but they don't like laying people off unless they have no other choice. I see more and more people who take jobs for granted. The Goodyear tire plant up here just had their workers walk off the job. Their problem, they want more job security as Goodyear is sending work overseas. I do not see how hurting the company here is going to help them with their job unless they have a boss that cares more about keeping the local plant open then he cares about the bottom line. Good jobs are hard to find, but good workers are even harder to find.

Your friends OWN their machine shops and have the right to assign THEIR employees to do what ever jobs they want. My son worked for the owner of an industrial service company and was assigned to do many personal jobs which he did with out a problem. But when the foreman called him in on a Saturday to paint his barn with company equipment and paint he asked if the boss knew about it, he was told to shut up and that it wasn't his concern what the boss knew or didn't know. My son went to work that day and lost his job on Monday along with the foreman and 2 other men when the owner dismissed them for stealing from the company.

I said it before and I'll say it again, there is a HUGE difference between being assigned to do personal work for the owner of a company and being assigned to do personal work for another employee regardless of his position.

 

[heehaw]

the last place i worked tried that other duties as assigned, but found it actually read, other related duties as assigned. now if i was hired to work somewhere, without a clear understanding about what my job was, then i would agree with many of you here: do what your told to do and do a good job at it: but i repaired electronic equipment for many many years, and it was evident right off, everyone wants something fixed for nothing, so i learned really early, as my ole Granddad use to say, if you don't want to do something for the rest of your life, don't do it the first time.
heehaw

 

[ridgerunnerinwv]

It seems a lot of employees take matters into their own hands now.

Empowerment ? Self directed workforce ?? Teamwork .....

They push that stuff where I work...they want you too challenge them if you have a better idea,less management more responsibility,accountability on everyone from the top down.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

We have "other duties as assigned" in our job description. That pretty much covers it for the employer. For the employee, if, at any time, I am not happy with the jobs my employer assigns to me, I have the right to quit with no repercussions.

Since I've been at my current employer I've done everything from computers to commodes and back again... and never missed a paycheck. Really, who cares what you are going to do at work today? You go in, get your assignment, complete it to the best of your ability in a timely manner and get your paycheck. Then you take that money and spend it how you please, like on tractors. As long as your employer treats you with dignity, you return it with good work. If not, leave and find another job.

That sums up my attitude about the workplace as well as anything I've read so far. It helps a great deal that the ONLY person I answer to at work is the owner. (Family owned business. Only one "rep" from the family works there. Great Grandson of founder) I'm paid well. In my own mind, I'm probably paid more than I'm worth. (or at least more than the position is worth) So if and when the boss needs something that's not my bailiwick, I just do it and don't complain. Like you said, if I don't like it, QUIT! I don't like whiners. Sure don't want to BE ONE.

Fortunately, my boss WASN'T born with a silver spoon in his mouth. In spite of the fact he was given the reigns at age 32, he worked as hard (or HARDER) than most of our employees here, in menial positions, before taking over from his father. He knows what the average working stiff goes through. He will not give anyone an unfair "burden". I've had other job offers over the years. A couple were with higher salaries. I doubt the working conditions would have been as favorable though. Being HAPPY with your job is (at least) as important as the numbers on the paycheck.

 

[MossRoad]

I am fortunate to work for a family owned company. That family has been around for 140+ years. The owners still walk the halls and know you by name and treat you like a person. I suppose there aren't too many companies left like that and am fortunate to work for one. They make me want to come to work.