This may be a bit of a jumbled mess as I am sipping Tequila on a Friday night. But here goes….
I started working at a trailer manufacturing company, the type that hook to a truck to haul farm equipment, brush and logs and things of that nature. This was about 6 months ago. I was hired on as a pinstripper which is is astoundingly easy and I could sit for most of the day, just a lot to remember and requires attention to detail. The shift at the workplace started at 7am and would run until 3:40pm, however we worked at production and required at least 25 trailers a day to be completed and ready for sale/shipment. A good 80% of the time we would work until 5:40 pm or later. After about 2 weeks I knew exactly what needed striped, what color, how to properly mix and dispose of paint etc etc. So I started getting bored because I would be done with my job at noon and would wait around and clean, general fuckin offery.
I then started to help other people like hardware and electrical (adding tires, chains, Jack's, running wire, adding conduit tubing etc) and it became an everyday thing and we started leaving earlier and earlier until we could finally leave on time every day. Then I got sick
In orientation I was told that based on work and results there is a 25 can't raise after probationary period (90 days). I was out sick 3 days of the probationary period. My review came up and performance was 5 star but attendance needed improvement. Understandable. I explained my side and told them that I thought I could've had covid so I stayed home, got tested and did everything I was supposed to do. That being said I asked about getting the raise. They told me I would stay at my current wage and not get a raise because I was out sick during the prob period. I was pissed, but okay I need the job.
I continued to help others while still doing my job, going above and beyond for the company as I loved my coworkers (Shout-out Brad, never laughed so hard in my life).
I was then called to the front of the “turkey barn” to fix something I missed (change a wheel that needed to be black or aluminum or something) and made the spiteful joke of saying I'm not paid enough for this. The Quality Control person said I'm paid more than enough to do my job as mechanics get paid xx.xx per hour less than my wage. I was furious. I told my coworkers I probably won't be here next week.
I showed up the next day, a Thursday and explained to a veteran employee what was said and told me they have been doing shit like that for years. So I didn't show up Friday or any day after that. Got several text messages and Voice-mails about how I'm needed and it was just a joke etc etc.
I was unemployed for the next 6 weeks. My wife took care of the household bills (bless that woman) while I chored around the house in search of a job. Finally I get a response from a switchgear company a out 6 miles from home (previous drive was 19 one way). I've been there a little over a month, doing an easier job, only my job, for more money, better benefits and with appreciative employers.
Tl;Dr underappreciated employee quits, everything went to shit, employee got better job