Sorry for the noval here. I have been waiting for a thread like this one.
My Job has a lot of benefits but the rules have gone so strict that we can't stop to scratch our butts with out letting someone know. Trust me, I am very thankful and blessed to have a full time job that gives me at least 40 hours a week. That said, here goes my meager rant. Sorry to drag this our for some of ya'll.
I work for a cable company as a broad band tech which in translation means "I'm a Cable Guy". Nothing like Jim Carrey though. I fix, cable TV (both analog, digital and high def digital), high speed Internet and now Telephone (911 certified) coaxial to telephone wire in homes. Not only do I now fix these products but sense spring of 08 we all now do installs as well. Now I am sure some of you may have or are working for cable and installs were part of the job.
When I started in this job installer was the lowest level. Now they say "hey, this is a good thing so we can slowly get rid of the contractors".
Yeah, for got to say that they now allow us only 45min to do any trouble call. That includes documentation of all RF levels from device, ground block and tap. Make sure all connectors in house are standard good snap and seals, the Customer isn't having any other problems with their product, try to make a sale (BTW we are required to make at least 8 sales in one month or possible 1st verbal write up warning), make sure all outside hard ware is up to Technical Quality Assurance spech (AKA TQA) including but not limited to proper bond and of course the main thing, trouble shoot and fix the customers problem.
Now before you guys are thinking this is totally impossible, I will say we can make special requests to have a follow up for later. The only problem is you have to get it confirmed with your super. This usually leads most of us to stick around on the job taking more time than required. You know how that goes...
Where I work, there isn't a union and probably a good thing for a lot of reasons.
Pay here at my job (co. name here won't say), most techs start now at $10 an hour and with no write ups or preventable accidents you can study for an advancement test and get a, what use to be 10% raise that is now 5%. Hey, at least they are giving raises right? Remember what you are required to do on jobs. If your performance doesn't meet the requirements, which includes but not limited to: you don't have any repeat calls with in a weeks time, no on job or driving accidents, all the stuff I mentioned on trouble calls and IF YOU DON"T GO POSTAL!
Like I said in my first few sentinces, I am very happy I have a full time job. Can't knock having a full time job with benniffits it's just lately I don't look forward to going to work like I use to. Also I try to savor every freakin' week end I get.