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Antiwork

I feel trapped

I was hired to operate 3D printers and train the sales/customer service department on how to solve the simple and common problems when first using a printer. I was under payed from the get go and, in spite of my expectations, my pay has barely increased over multiple years and frequent requests. My role has shifted from 3D printers to basically whatever isn’t getting done. I run the shipping/receiving department, I repair and operate the tape slitting machine, I organize the warehouse, I maintain the local server, I attend every trade show as a technical advisor, I answer service calls from any customer for any product, and I take out every single trash can in the building without exception. I live with my parents and have been trying to move Into a studio apartment with my girlfriend, but, I don’t make enough to afford housing near my work. And the…


I was hired to operate 3D printers and train the sales/customer service department on how to solve the simple and common problems when first using a printer. I was under payed from the get go and, in spite of my expectations, my pay has barely increased over multiple years and frequent requests. My role has shifted from 3D printers to basically whatever isn’t getting done. I run the shipping/receiving department, I repair and operate the tape slitting machine, I organize the warehouse, I maintain the local server, I attend every trade show as a technical advisor, I answer service calls from any customer for any product, and I take out every single trash can in the building without exception. I live with my parents and have been trying to move Into a studio apartment with my girlfriend, but, I don’t make enough to afford housing near my work. And the worst part is that I work for my father. I keep telling him that if I quit the company would need to hire at least 3 new people to fill my role. Even for just the 3D printer operator part of it. no one with the technical knowledge required would take the job for what I am payed, and they would be expected to spend a majority of their time doing things outside of their job description. I do not have the time to operate and maintain the 12 printers that I am expected to understand to the point of being able to solve any problem over the phone, let alone the time to talk with customers who expected 3D printing to be easy. I would have quit years ago if it wasn’t the family business. But letting down this company would mean letting down my father who owns it, my sister who runs the logistics, my mother who acts as a secretary and customer service rep, and my brother who works in accounting, and all of the other employees who have become my friends. I can barely sleep because as soon as the last guy who did tape slitting quit, the tape sales have more than tripled. I often wake up in cold sweats after nightmares about fucking tape of all things. I keep trying to get to a point where someone else knows how to do at least one of the things I do, but new things keep getting added on. I’ve spoken to my father about all of this but his response is always a dismissal. I’m at the end of my rope and no one seems to care.

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