I work for a small construction company in the Midwest of USA. Small town builder, but we service basically 75 miles from our home shop. I have worked here nearly 3 years and have climbed my way from low man @ 18/hr to being just under lead contractor role(a whole ass different story) @ 21/hr. Nearly a decade of experience.
Last week, for the first time at all this year, I was late to work. Granted, by 2 minutes only, but I get the concept and honestly support the “0 tolerance late policy” because I also agree that being punctual is important. I am typically a 5 mins early employee, but my babysitter in the next town over was running a few minutes behind. I wasn’t pressed on it that day, nor did anyone say anything to me about it. Owner and HR were both standing outside with my coworkers for the morning meeting when I arrived.
FF to this week. The employees opted to work Wed/thur/Fri as we typicallly work four 10 hr shifts as opposed to five 8s, and we wanted a king holiday for 4th of July( so last Friday to this Tuesday, off work)
Well, ya boy got sick as a dog on Monday night. Fever, chills, headaches, body aches, nausea, sore throat, you get the gist. I was not well. Wife took the reigns and managed the kids while I rested up because we both know we can’t afford for me to miss work. By Wednesday morning I was still carrying a low fever and body/head aches. I knew I still had ONE blessed PTO day available and decided it was in everyone’s best interest if I stayed home. Did my due diligence, called in an hour before work(not allowed any earlier as it “bothers” owner or HR, therefore you call in at 6 am or nothing). Apparently there was no communication between the two and shortly after 7 am I receive a text like this…
Not sure where you are? You were late last week as well. Don’t worry about coming in today. Let me know when you can talk this afternoon.
After explaining all that above, I get a reply something like…
REDACTED is off this week. You late last week and not showing up today is not a good look. At least I know what’s going on now.
I let it ride. This isn’t the first time I’ve been met with this energy immediately before any questions or concerns were raised.
The very next day, I show up, not 100 percent but able to function again and now fearing for my JOB security, I get sent to play lead carpenter with our newest and youngest(18, 130 lbs) to go side roughly 1/2 of a two story house and to metal trim the whole house. Told it must be done tomorrow.
Unfortunately, I am not a liar nor do I pull punches. I’ve been reprimanded SEVERAL times in my life for being TOO honest. I told them I doubt it will get done due to the nature of the job and the “help” I received for the job. It felt like targeting but surely would be wrote off as how business just had to operate this week.
That wasn’t received well and the project mannager who quoted the job is now upset because once again he won’t get his completion bonus for the job. This is coming after a three month string of jobs where I have, admittedly, shit the bed when it comes to these deadlines the new PMs have been setting. Three of our best workers just got fired last month and when a meeting finally happened about it, a blanket statement was made essentially saying we need to do better at every level. No questions or concerns taken from anyone.
It’s affected my mental health. I’m seeing a whole ass psychiatrist now and it seems this place has unlocked some deep seeded insecurities I didn’t know I had. Failing day in and day out, despite moving product out the door and customers being happy with my work and not EVER receiving positive feedback apparently really screws with a person. Luckily I have seen these red flags and have been studying IT support for the last month and I’m currently in works of changing careers entirely. This one place has ruined the love I had for carpentry.
If you made it this far, IYO, am I being an asshole? Is this my fault for letting it get to me so bad? I don’t want to see the company fail by any means, but I don’t want to be shit on any more either. I know they have relied on me heavily and after the firings, I am now third from the top as far as seniority goes.