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I hate being the old guard

By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

I'm struggling at work at the moment to get my own projects finished

I'm by far the oldest and most experienced engineer at the company I work for and I'm at a point I want to walk away as the young guys drag me into their projects to solve issues at the very last minute. Most of them if they had involved me earlier wouldn't be issues now.

An example of this wasa phone call just after 6 tonight from the engineering director dragging me of the design work and client meeting I have tomorrow to now go to Oldham to resolve an issue on site.

Sorry for the rant I'm just getting so frustrated

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By *edonisticRockerMan over a year ago

Chorley

See I'm on the opposite end of the spectrum

I'm not young but new to my role and because of the workflow there is a good chunk of downtime

Everyone else just accepts it and relaxes but it gives me some serious imposter syndrome

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By *ranny-CrumpetWoman over a year ago

The Town by The Cross

There's a little word I use often ....... it goes ........ No

xx good luck in Oldham xx

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By *ddie1966Man over a year ago

Paper Town Central, Essex.

I hear you my fellow workers.

What hurts more is the fact that they're probably on the same pay as you.

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

"I hear you my fellow workers.

What hurts more is the fact that they're probably on the same pay as you."

They are not but they all have company cars and I just get a van

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By *bi HaiveMan over a year ago
Forum Mod

Cheeseville, Somerset

This is why I'm happier being self employed.

Nobody to account to but myself. Nobody telling me where to be and what to do.

Considerably poorer than when I was a employee but waaaaaaaay happier now.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

That sounds super frustrating - but you know, unless you raise it as an issue to your manager and their manager, absolutely nothing will change.

I feel sorry for the youngsters coming through though - they often don't have the experience /knowledge to resolve issues and are in at the deep end. Maybe there is some sort of knowledge transfer /functional excellence type of training /broadcasts that could be set up? Maybe you could carve yourself a role and play a critical part?

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"I'm struggling at work at the moment to get my own projects finished

Sorry for the rant I'm just getting so frustrated

We have an older guy at work who is tech friendly, but still insists on doing certain things the "old fashioned" way with a pen and paper sometimes to keep his skills up. His boss quite often has a go at him for taking longer to complete his tasks than some of the younger guys, but he always hits back with "Yes, but you'll thank me for knowing how to do this when the IT systems inevitably crash sometime".

And you know what? He was right

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By *ealMissShadyWoman over a year ago

St Albans/ Welsh Borders

"I'm struggling at work at the moment to get my own projects finished

Sorry for the rant I'm just getting so frustrated

At least it shows how invaluable your knowledge is but I get why you are so frustrated. Sounds like the younger ones could learn a lot from you. Take it as a compliment but tell whoever needs to know that while you are happy to help it's frustrating as it's affecting your own workload

I've just been promoted to third in charge at work and designated safeguarding lead and it's more pressure added onto the pressure I already have. Not really sure what I've let myself in for but we'll see how it goes I guess.

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By *hrimper36Couple over a year ago

Central France dept 36

If you’re frustrated then look to set up on your own and contract to your company now of double the money.

Working for one’s self is very rewarding because at least you appreciate you and you know your worth.

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By *he Silver FuxMan over a year ago

Uttoxeter

You need to sit down with your director, explain the situation and that the procedures should involve your input earlier

And then ask for promotion, a car and a large pay rise and then walk if you don’t get it

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By *nightsoftheCoffeeTableCouple over a year ago

Leeds

To me it sounds like you’ve got them by the bollocks, they need you a lot more than you need them. Pull the gaffer in the office explain your not happy and gentle squeeze those plums, but not to hard that he gets upset. Pay rise and probably some understanding from the suits.

The mr

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By *onameyet2Man over a year ago

chorley

Been there mate, I was very angry for a long period but had a chat with myself and turned it round so I enjoyed the fact that I was sorting shit out that others couldn’t, there’s value in that which money and praise can’t give you.

lol for the positives they’re in there somewhere

Good luck

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"If you’re frustrated then look to set up on your own and contract to your company now of double the money.

Working for one’s self is very rewarding because at least you appreciate you and you know your worth.

I concur. It's what I did with my job after I took early retirement and they asked me back for some help.

It seems you have the experience and skills that are sought after. I presume your current company isn't the only one that has these sudden skills shortfall.

Set up your own consultancy and you'll be free to choose your clients and work.

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By *a LunaWoman over a year ago

South Wales

Have you spoken to Management about it? Told them how you’re feeling?

Try and step back from helping the others, say no more than yes. If they can’t fulfil their role on their own should they even be in that role?

Thing is, if you got so behind with your own work that it impacted deadlines (or whatever) do you think anyone would step in and help you, or admit to Management that the reason your work was delayed was because you were helping them? I’m guessing they wouldn’t.

If you don’t tell Management about how you’re feeling then they can’t do anything about it. Give them that chance. And if they do fuck all then maybe it is time to consider moving on, somewhere where you will be appreciated.

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By *ipsforlipsMan over a year ago

Midlands

"I'm struggling at work at the moment to get my own projects finished

Sorry for the rant I'm just getting so frustrated

There's a phase my old dad passed on to me "lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine"

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By *hrimper36Couple over a year ago

Central France dept 36

"I'm struggling at work at the moment to get my own projects finished

Sorry for the rant I'm just getting so frustrated

There's a phase my old dad passed on to me "lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine""

Now that’s a quotation I’ve never heard before but I like it a lot .

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

The problem is now many companies are feeling a financial pinch and either recruiting has dropped or the salary they pay has stagnated and that affects recruitment.

It also means that they are taking people on with less experience who therefore have to lean on “the old guard” to help and assist.

Log everything. Everytime you are pulled away from doing what you’re meant to be doing, then when they question it say this is why.

Your contract is a reflection of salary and hours and expectations.

I know someone who turned round to their boss and said “you want me to do all this plus this extra, you tell me what the priority is and I will do that”

Sometimes bosses don’t realise how much their employees do within their own role let alone the additions that get added.

My dad always said “we all have options, some are harder than others, but they are options”

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By *elvet RopeMan over a year ago

by the big field

Engineers are hugely in demand now, so get your CV and requirements on the job sites and see what comes up- definitely sounds like an opportunity for a promotion and pay rise if you jump.

With that in mind, it’s also time to the difficult conversation with your boss about your current role and salary, give them the chance to do the right thing- then they can’t complain if you move elsewhere

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By *icentiousCouple over a year ago

Up on them there hills

There was an old saying in my engineering days, “give it to someone busy: you’ll know it will get done, not talked about “.

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By *elvet RopeMan over a year ago

by the big field

"I hear you my fellow workers.

What hurts more is the fact that they're probably on the same pay as you.

They are not but they all have company cars and I just get a van "

Embrace the van! Tax free if not used personally. Always found company cars a bit crap for the amount you pay- even worse if you then get lumbered with one with a company logo stuck on it

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

I’m assuming that you are in a supervisory or management position?

With these jobs comes the responsibility of overseeing other peoples work

If you feel so strongly about the inequity of it then speak with management about your job description and or pay rise

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By *ife NinjaMan over a year ago

Dunfermline

I manage a team of 5. They're all a lot younger than me. I see it as a teaching job now, bringing on the next generation of managers, helping them make a go of their careers.

We go to the pub and socialise, which keeps me young, so all is good

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