Hi r/antiwork,
As a mechanic, I know all too well the realities of the auto industry. One of the biggest challenges we face is having to buy our own tools, which can be incredibly expensive. And that's on top of the long hours and physically demanding work we do every day. But nothing compares to the experience I had at brakes plus. I thought I had found a good job, but it quickly turned into a nightmare.
I was working long hours, often 12 hours a day, and I was not paid what I deserved for my skills and experience. My boss would constantly find ways to cut corners, like not giving us proper tools or supplies to do our jobs effectively. I was already investing so much money into my own tools, and it was discouraging to see my boss not taking our job seriously. I was exhausted and stressed, but I needed the job, so I put up with it.
But the straw that broke the camel's back was when I found out that my boss was taking shortcuts on repairs and using subpar parts. I take pride in my work as a mechanic and I was deeply offended that my boss was compromising the safety and reliability of the vehicles we were working on. I confronted him about it, but he brushed me off and told me to stop complaining.
I eventually quit that job, but the experience left a lasting impact on me. I now have a deep distrust of bosses and garages that prioritize profits over their customers' and employees' well-being.
And after that experience, I decided to go back to school and better myself. I worked hard and finished college with a Bachelor's in Data Science. I will never look back at the automotive industry again.
I'm sharing my story because I want others to know that it doesn't matter what walk of life you come from, everyone is vulnerable to being taken advantage of in the workplace. Whether you're a mechanic, nurse, teacher, or any other profession, we all deserve to be treated fairly and with respect. If you've had a similar experience, please share in the comments and let's support each other.
Thanks for reading, and take care.