The grumpy thread

[purplebargeken]

Endoscopy today. My Barretts is worsening, gullet also ulcerating. Neck x ray shows excessive flexation, arthritis and a fractured vertebrae.

 

Whoop defuckingdoo.

 

However, my bariatric surgeon said before the scope and so on, that that I looked slim and healthy hahahahahaha.

[iainrcz]

I work for a "technical compounding" company. Not as fancy as it sounds.

And it's pretty much the same. Machines run into the ground, rush like fuck or else.

Anything goes wrong and the department manager gets his bottom lip out.

I need a new job.

 

At work I run a machine, I am in charge of setting up that machine, there are three rules to follow:

 

1 - Do it as fast as possible, you should always be getting faster and more efficient. You should also be helping others with their more complex machines.

2 - Don't deviate from the settings sheet, if you need to get an engineer.

3 - Make sure it runs well by the time it is needed.

 

Here are the problems with said rules:

 

1 - You have to rush the fuck out of everything and are always trying to catch up with yourself. You end throwing bits of machine in and going through the settings as fast as possible while dripping with sweat while being told you're too slow.

2 - The machine is 16 years old and has run 18 hours a day since it was built. It's tolerances are all over the place, bits are constantly failing and getting replaced and the material it works with is cardboard which varies in it's texture/size/construction from batch to batch. If I adjust the settings to allow the machine to actually run I get bollocked for messing with it, if I go get an engineer it takes forever for them to come over (see rule 1) and they just ask why I've not done it myself.

3 - Due to the combination of the above the chance of it working "out the box" is nothing short of a miracle. I don't have time to test anything, if it is fucking up I don't have the time to actually watch it and see why it's fucking up. If I can see why it's fucking up I have to get an engineer rather than move a setting 2mm.

 

This is due to the production line's efficiency being measured by several variables, including how many deviations from the settings sheet are made, how long set up takes, how many breakdowns there are, etc. The better the line runs the higher the standards get and the harder they are to achieve with 15-25 year old machinery but there is no investment made towards the factory or staff. It's a huge company with loads of managers/production heads, no communication and moving towards a more Americanised business system.

 

So, I should probably just play by the rules set for me and watch the chaos unfold? Nope, can't do that. Get bollocked for not showing enough initiative or paying enough attention.

 

I've also just been reduced back down to a 0-hours contract. While I'd really like to escape I fear that the above is just the production industry in a nutshell and I'm basically fucked.

Sent from my VFD 710 using Tapatalk

[Guest Hooli]

I need a new job.

 

At work I run a machine, I am in charge of setting up that machine, there are three rules to follow:

 

1 - Do it as fast as possible, you should always be getting faster and more efficient. You should also be helping others with their more complex machines.

2 - Don't deviate from the settings sheet, if you need to get an engineer.

3 - Make sure it runs well by the time it is needed.

 

Here are the problems with said rules:

 

1 - You have to rush the fuck out of everything and are always trying to catch up with yourself. You end throwing bits of machine in and going through the settings as fast as possible while dripping with sweat while being told you're too slow.

2 - The machine is 16 years old and has run 18 hours a day since it was built. It's tolerances are all over the place, bits are constantly failing and getting replaced and the material it works with is cardboard which varies in it's texture/size/construction from batch to batch. If I adjust the settings to allow the machine to actually run I get bollocked for messing with it, if I go get an engineer it takes forever for them to come over (see rule 1) and they just ask why I've not done it myself.

3 - Due to the combination of the above the chance of it working "out the box" is nothing short of a miracle. I don't have time to test anything, if it is fucking up I don't have the time to actually watch it and see why it's fucking up. If I can see why it's fucking up I have to get an engineer rather than move a setting 2mm.

 

This is due to the production line's efficiency being measured by several variables, including how many deviations from the settings sheet are made, how long set up takes, how many breakdowns there are, etc. The better the line runs the higher the standards get and the harder they are to achieve with 15-25 year old machinery but there is no investment made towards the factory or staff. It's a huge company with loads of managers/production heads, no communication and moving towards a more Americanised business system.

 

So, I should probably just play by the rules set for me and watch the chaos unfold? Nope, can't do that. Get bollocked for not showing enough initiative or paying enough attention.

 

I've also just been reduced back down to a 0-hours contract. While I'd really like to escape I fear that the above is just the production industry in a nutshell and I'm basically fucked.

 

That's the trouble with the 70s, just wait 40 years for new laws to improve working conditions....

[oldcars]

I need a new job.

 

At work I run a machine, I am in charge of setting up that machine, there are three rules to follow:

 

1 - Do it as fast as possible, you should always be getting faster and more efficient. You should also be helping others with their more complex machines.

2 - Don't deviate from the settings sheet, if you need to get an engineer.

3 - Make sure it runs well by the time it is needed.

 

Here are the problems with said rules:

 

1 - You have to rush the fuck out of everything and are always trying to catch up with yourself. You end throwing bits of machine in and going through the settings as fast as possible while dripping with sweat while being told you're too slow.

2 - The machine is 16 years old and has run 18 hours a day since it was built. It's tolerances are all over the place, bits are constantly failing and getting replaced and the material it works with is cardboard which varies in it's texture/size/construction from batch to batch. If I adjust the settings to allow the machine to actually run I get bollocked for messing with it, if I go get an engineer it takes forever for them to come over (see rule 1) and they just ask why I've not done it myself.

3 - Due to the combination of the above the chance of it working "out the box" is nothing short of a miracle. I don't have time to test anything, if it is fucking up I don't have the time to actually watch it and see why it's fucking up. If I can see why it's fucking up I have to get an engineer rather than move a setting 2mm.

 

This is due to the production line's efficiency being measured by several variables, including how many deviations from the settings sheet are made, how long set up takes, how many breakdowns there are, etc. The better the line runs the higher the standards get and the harder they are to achieve with 15-25 year old machinery but there is no investment made towards the factory or staff. It's a huge company with loads of managers/production heads, no communication and moving towards a more Americanised business system.

 

So, I should probably just play by the rules set for me and watch the chaos unfold? Nope, can't do that. Get bollocked for not showing enough initiative or paying enough attention.

 

I've also just been reduced back down to a 0-hours contract. While I'd really like to escape I fear that the above is just the production industry in a nutshell and I'm basically fucked.

You must be a  patient person. This kind of thing would drive me nuts. What business thinks this is the best way to work. Madness.

[Richard]

What business thinks this is the best way to work.

Pretty much all of them, as far as I can tell.

[wuvvum]

Number plate taken, reported to plod...... who kindly ignored my son informing him of the windscreen breaking and told me to forget that bit.

LOL!  Still, can't fault the lad for being honest I suppose.

 

Did anything come of the smashy-window-dog-rescue incident?

[AlabamaShrimp]

Go to nag back to an earlier argument.

 

What the fuck is vertue signaling? Sounds like some social justice bollocks.

[wuvvum]

 

 

Virtue signalling is the conspicuous expression of moral values. The term was first used in signalling theory, to describe any behavior that could be used to signal virtue—especially piety among the religious. In recent years, the term has become more commonly used as a pejorative by commentators to criticize what they regard as empty or superficial support of certain political views, and also used within groups to criticize their own members for valuing appearance over action.

 

[PhilA]

Bloody electronics

Bloody computers

Bloody printers

 

Bloody hell

[Remspoor]

I hate it when the Spanish where am I from in the UK. I have no link to my roots. Family moved away along time ago. I moved out when I was 21 and I really on't have much contact with mum and dad, or sister any more.

I sort of understand it as you can never take the home city/town/village out of Spaniard. They always say they are from X even if they moved away before starting school.

But to add salt  to the wound yesterday whist in a restaurant, yesterday, near to us were sitting some very noisy Brits. As me and the wife were about to leave one said to us "Did I hear you speaking English?" Yes said Mrs R., he his English. "Oh where are you from?" was the reply from the Brit.
What the Fuck! My wife saw my face and quickly said that we have lived in Spain for many many years. In fact I have lived outside of the Uk for way too many years.

Next time I am going to say I was born in India or West Indies just to see the look on the questionnaire's face.

 

 

[vulgalour]

Captain: Normally I'd advise being an awkward bastard, they're clearly not bothered about any sort of staff loyalty if they're holding you to a 0 hour contract and offering no incentive to actually do your job well.  If there's nothing else lined up, you sort of have to carry on, which sucks.  However, if you can risk it, be an awkward bastard.  Do things exactly by their rules and guidelines, read up on as much of their own health and safety as you can and every time you get a chance to, point out the contradictions in their directions every. single.  time.  Worst they can do is fire you.  It's a shame you can't go self-employed rescuing old Triumphs and wearing floral shirts, really.

[AlabamaShrimp]

 

Thanks for that. Sounds as I thought, very social justice. Wasn't the old term for it called being a twat?

[New POD]

I need a new job.

 

At work I run a machine, I am in charge of setting up that machine, there are three rules to follow:

 

1 - Do it as fast as possible, you should always be getting faster and more efficient. You should also be helping others with their more complex machines.

2 - Don't deviate from the settings sheet, if you need to get an engineer.

3 - Make sure it runs well by the time it is needed.

 

Here are the problems with said rules:

 

1 - You have to rush the fuck out of everything and are always trying to catch up with yourself. You end throwing bits of machine in and going through the settings as fast as possible while dripping with sweat while being told you're too slow.

2 - The machine is 16 years old and has run 18 hours a day since it was built. It's tolerances are all over the place, bits are constantly failing and getting replaced and the material it works with is cardboard which varies in it's texture/size/construction from batch to batch. If I adjust the settings to allow the machine to actually run I get bollocked for messing with it, if I go get an engineer it takes forever for them to come over (see rule 1) and they just ask why I've not done it myself.

3 - Due to the combination of the above the chance of it working "out the box" is nothing short of a miracle. I don't have time to test anything, if it is fucking up I don't have the time to actually watch it and see why it's fucking up. If I can see why it's fucking up I have to get an engineer rather than move a setting 2mm.

 

This is due to the production line's efficiency being measured by several variables, including how many deviations from the settings sheet are made, how long set up takes, how many breakdowns there are, etc. The better the line runs the higher the standards get and the harder they are to achieve with 15-25 year old machinery but there is no investment made towards the factory or staff. It's a huge company with loads of managers/production heads, no communication and moving towards a more Americanised business system.

 

So, I should probably just play by the rules set for me and watch the chaos unfold? Nope, can't do that. Get bollocked for not showing enough initiative or paying enough attention.

 

I've also just been reduced back down to a 0-hours contract. While I'd really like to escape I fear that the above is just the production industry in a nutshell and I'm basically fucked.

 

i liked this, not because I like it, but because I feel your pain. 

 

Have you read much about SMED ? If set up times are a bottleneck, and I was "the engineer" I'd be focusing on making the Set-up / change over as quick and simple and as reliable as possible.  

I don't think that all manufacturing industry is like you describe.  There's a lot of focus on removing variability and removing risk, so if you were working somewhere else you might find that "the engineer" was working with you to try to fix the issues permanently. 

[New POD]

Pretty much all of them, as far as I can tell.

 

I'm a grumpy fucker, but in most manufacturing companies I've experienced, the manufacturing engineers got shit for not making sure operators were able to do their jobs without having to think for themselves much, and as soon as a machine looked like it was falling apart, through age, a capital justification for a replacement( that was faster and more reliable) was demanded.  In fact I have had success at massaging data, to ensure that the payback was months rather than years.  If managers are no looking at the OEE and doing the sums, then they are not worthy of the job.  

[cobblers]

i liked this, not because I like it, but because I feel your pain. 

 

Have you read much about SMED ? If set up times are a bottleneck, and I was "the engineer" I'd be focusing on making the Set-up / change over as quick and simple and as reliable as possible.  

I don't think that all manufacturing industry is like you describe.  There's a lot of focus on removing variability and removing risk, so if you were working somewhere else you might find that "the engineer" was working with you to try to fix the issues permanently. 

 

Absolutely this - Captain70s -  your employer can't have it's cake and eat it too. Do they want your to be fast? then they need to service the machines properly. 

Sounds as though they are either ignorant of the real issues, or wilfully ignorant because that way they can hustle you more.

[Zelandeth]

So... it's a million degrees here. Body decides yep...what you really need right now is a stomach upset ain't it! That'll be fun!

 

Didn't last long - or so I thought. Until I made the mistake of actually expending energy - cue me being dead on my feet twenty minutes later.

 

Hopefully tomorrow will be better.

[alcyonecorporation]

[New POD]

Update: I has Brompton.

 

I don't think it's treatable. 

 

I imagine a slightly overweight bloke in a (lycra?) 3 peice suite, with a silk tie, and a brief case with high vis vest and helmet (with cam) struggling to keep upright as he attempts to cycle to the station?  Can we have woolarding type pictures 

[Ghosty]

Dream on, I'm 22 and a lanky bastard!

[New POD]

Dream on, I'm 22 and a lanky bastard!

 

Unlike me then. 

[Guest Hooli]

Dream on, I'm 22 and a lanky bastard!

 

You'll grow out of it

[captain_70s]

i liked this, not because I like it, but because I feel your pain. 

 

Have you read much about SMED ? If set up times are a bottleneck, and I was "the engineer" I'd be focusing on making the Set-up / change over as quick and simple and as reliable as possible.  

I don't think that all manufacturing industry is like you describe.  There's a lot of focus on removing variability and removing risk, so if you were working somewhere else you might find that "the engineer" was working with you to try to fix the issues permanently. 

 

The changeovers are pretty much as streamlined as possible as far as I can tell, at least on my end everything that can be done prior to the machine stopping is already done. Parts/tools are out ready, the next pallet of materials is sitting ready etc, the rest of the line is similar. The changeovers themselves aren't really that hard.

This is great in theory except we're expected to continually improve, so now the only way to gain more speed is by working faster. The line I work on also has the greatest variety of products and the greatest number of changeovers so on paper it always looks shit compared to the other lines.

 

Most of the issues are down to the machines simply being old and the tolerances are all out of whack. I can just about get by with mine, continually tweaking it until it works fine. But this requires deviating from the settings sheet, this gets flagged as a problem. I managed to negotiate some min/max figures into the sheet to make it look better which worked for a while but now other bits keep need adjusting for a smooth run.

 

Essentially at this point I'm getting all the flak for the fact the machine I run is fucking past it... Unfortunately it's also the youngest of it's type in the place (being post millennium!) so I can't use that as my defence and I have been working there the shortest time so my opinion is invalid. If I try to explain any issue invariably the person I'm talking to will walk away while I'm mid-sentence saying they "don't want to hear it".

 

I'm also fucked as far as progression goes, anyway. The shit manager wanted me to train up on the machine next to mine ages ago but the guy operating it turned around and said he couldn't show me anything. Mostly as he is perfectly content running that machine and doesn't want to get booted off it. He also goes apeshit whenever things go wrong and goes around yelling, hitting/kicking things and generally being a tit but he's been there for 15 years so can get away with it. I don't want to spend any real period of time working with him to be honest.

 

Meh. The pressure all comes from managers higher up, that just get's passed further down the chain, I happen to be at the bottom. Also, as a full time staff member your yearly bonus gets calculated based how how well your line did (including production time/deviations/defects etc. I'm sure on paper this makes you more inclined to work harder in a team but in reality it just means people end up resenting each other for slowing things down.

 

TL;DR - I'm nae a fan of my job.

[Guest Hooli]

 

This is great in theory except we're expected to continually improve

 

We have to follow ITIL at work, it's a process management bullshit thing & one part of it is 'always improve'. The instructor wasn't impressed to be asked if that means always leave room for improvement so we can follow the process.

[binhoker668]

Dunno what the fuck it is with me.  As soon as I'm settling down to trouble free motoring in my Xantia, I'm hankering after a change.  It's been like 2 months FFS.

Havenae had a jap motor for years.  Am sat here checking out diesel Mitsi Carismas on all the usual sites.

DICK.

[omegod]

51k 406 1.8 sx pug going on a local facebook site, looks dandy with 11 months MOT , £300 

 

No need for it but want 

[binhoker668]

At that price, those miles and with an ass full of barium, GIB.  Sure it'll probably change hands on here for the same money about 10 times. 

[Guest Hooli]

 and with an ass full of barium

 

LOL!

[binhoker668]

LOL!

 

Well, y'know....only the facts....

[yes oui si]

 

TL;DR - I'm nae a fan of my job.

There is ALWAYS another job.

[somewhatfoolish]

[glasgow]

Right, hen?

[/glasgow]