I work in an extremely specific field, at a chemical factory. We handle 95% of the production of this chemical for the country.
My previous job shut down the building I had worked in for 15 years. The company I work for now bougjt the process, and begged me to come work for them, as I was one of two people who knew how to do it. I accepted the job, and have regretted it evey day since.
The place is ridiculously dangerous. I am absolutely confident that if osha showed up here, the place would be shut down.
We have ungaurded machine parts so you can lose fingers, catwalks with no railing, trip hazards over the entire plant, open deep pits in the floor to fall into, incorrectly labled totes of dangerous and deadly chemicals, and opperations that require you to climb on top of things that are not designed to be climbed on, ober a 30 foot drop.
We work 12 hours a day five days a week, and you dont get breaks. Many people I've talked to about this have suspected its illegal. It isnt, at least not in my state.
We had our monthly meeting last night. They would go so much quicker if they just said “we hate you guys, you suck” and let us go home.
It was an hour of them really angrily yelling at us about how we dont do anything, nobody deserves a raise, we arent making money because of the employees, and threatening to fire people a bunch. Lots of cussing and management literally shaking and turning red as they yelled at us.
By the way, we have to stand through the whole damn meeting after a 12 hour shift with no break.
One interesting thing he said also, is that we havent made enough money this month, to cover even weeks worth of payroll.
The one redeeming thing is I personally make good money doing this. They pay me roughly double what they pay anyone else on the floor, including my supervisor. This is only because I told them I wouldn't come for less than what I was already making.
I want to stay here and save up money for as long as I can, but I cant be here in the long term. Im not sure If I'll burn out first or if they'll fire me and hire someone cheaper, but man Im exhausted and de motivated. I iust have to stay for the money. Im not rich or anything here, but over the last year, I was so broke that I had to borrow money to get gas to go to work, so the pay is the only reason I came here.
Its 3 hours away from all my friends and family, so on top of everything, I'm alone here.
The job is also incredibly stressful. My supervisor spent 20 years in the marines and he says this place is worse.
Im stretched thin and stressed. Dont know how much longer I can do this. Its only been like 4 months. My goal is one year just to save money. But I dont know i i can even do that.