Is everyone lazy or do I work too hard?

LFirebeard on 05/12/2016 - 22:14

Hi all! First time poster so excuse me if i miss some things.
Basically, in my last job and my current job i was told to 'relax' and to'slow down if you can see you will finish too early'

Long version,
I completed a trade then gave it up to go to uni to gain a higher education. After afew years of part time weekend work in my trade i managed to score an awesome job in my new chosen area of study-they are a small business but its awesome experience and i get paid- any students dream.
My trade was hard working in a retail environment- i had deadlines to meet every day within time frames. In my weekend job once i gave the trade away i was told to slow down because i was working too fast (stuff needed to be done).
Now in my new role, most people are new to the position, some have more life and trade experience, others have more 'education'.

In doing the menial tasks that i have been given as im new, i finished afew of these small tasks and went to ask for more work and was told to calm down and that i was makin him look bad. He is not the 'boss' but he is who i see for work instead of bothering the 'boss'

I want to do more, i want them to keep me (im a casual) and would potentially love a job at the end of my studies

Being the new guy i dont want to go and put my foot in it…what do i do?

Field-engineering
Age 30
Family wife, 2y/o
Living situation with parents as studying

What else can i say??

Education & Work

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 05/12/2016 - 22:20

    I remember going from an overtime heavy job to working with one of the large consultancies, where overtime reduced your 'utilisation' level and was actively discouraged. You'd be on a project needing long hours and they would be doing everything in their power to drag projects out. It was pretty jading.

  • Diji1 on 05/12/2016 - 22:20
    -6

    Have you moved out of your parents home before this?

    • Jackson on 16/12/2016 - 19:45

      6 down votes and not one explanation

  • poppit88 on 05/12/2016 - 22:49
    +1

    Bother the real boss for work. I assume he's the one paying you.

  • bluesky on 05/12/2016 - 23:16
    +6

    What poppit88 said, I have seen it work before. True story from the past, in a place I worked at.

    So, this girl came over from the US, a very keen, driven person, with lofty ambitions, went to night classes, did a million things at once. She worked for the typical boss in HR/admin, her tasks included what she regarded as fairly boring ones - like manning the reception desk. She would complete tasks so quickly and felt really bored.

    She had to either slow-down to fit in, or not bother, and be herself. Her aim was to move into accounting/finance area. So, she approached the director, and asked for more work. Apparently, her direct boss was not too happy. But her great attitude got noticed, and director started to give her more work. Which meant more experience gained.

    Fast forward, she now has her degree from the night classes, moved on in life, what her immediate boss thought then did not matter.

  • captobvious on 06/12/2016 - 00:41
    +5

    I have had come and go keen ambitious workers. always in a rush, always eager. I tell them to slow down because after I saw their work i realised had they just spent some time improving the quality; the work they produced would have been top notch. So don't ask the boss yet unless you can ensure your work is tip top and cannot be picked to bits.

    just a tip.

  • Sage on 06/12/2016 - 00:59

    Probably working too hard.
    Just take it easy.

    Maybe there is another job more suitable for OP's character.

  • rompastompa on 06/12/2016 - 01:09
    +1

    It depends on the circumstances. If it is that you're making him look bad, then too bad for him, you're there to do a job.

    The other option is that you're going too fast and not taking diligent care in your work. He may be saying that you're making him look bad as a tongue in cheek, nice way to get you to slow down.

    You are new and likely trying to impress. He may be trying to settle you down so you take the time to learn and absorb the information you are getting.

    • mskeggs on 06/12/2016 - 07:13
      +2

      I think this is the most likely unless it is about seeking overtime as Frugal Rock suggested.
      Perhaps spend a little time learning the culture and what matters in your new job before deciding they are all lazy.
      In some places it is important to do things very accurately, rather than quickly with errors, for example.

  • Ryanek on 06/12/2016 - 07:29
    +6

    I'd answer this question but I can't be bothered.

  • Firebeard on 06/12/2016 - 07:31

    Cheers all- this guy who suggested i made him look bad said it about another guy aswell, who has a similar work ethic to myself, in some parts of my work i AM very slow, like the first model im making, think of it like building a small lego car- once you have done it 3 times the other 7 are easy, and basically thats it.
    These are the simple steps of what my chosen career path is-i need to do them to get to the next step, im happy in 'doing my time' in the learning process, i just wish i wasnt always waiting for something to do.
    The boss is a good bloke but is bust being dragged here there and everywhere- he sees me working but i dont yet feel comfortable barging into the office saying 'i need something to do' abit is ok…but not as much as i could do.

    Thanks again!

  • one man clan on 06/12/2016 - 09:11
    +1

    It also could be that the boss has limited time to mentor you so if you're smashing through assigned tasks you are sucking time from his responsibilities.

    It's great to be eager but if you've been on the job a week you'll miss things.

    Dealing with over eager junior staff can be a hindrance to productivity rather than a benefit.

    • Firebeard on 06/12/2016 - 17:34

      I feel thats the way, the boss is heaps busy but thats why i dont always ask him, its more a end of the day thing, 'ive finished all of todays tasks, what can i do tomorrow?'
      I know there are things that i miss and dont understand, but i jump in when things are being explained and ask plenty of questions, i do the work then show my job and ask if this is the standard they require, then i can fix it or know im doing it right.
      Some processes i know and can see…others i cant yet- that will come with time…but if i ask the question 'whats next' then id hopefully be shown whats next

  • JimB on 06/12/2016 - 10:21

    What trade did you do?

    I went to uni but don't mind working with my hands.

    I wonder what my life would be like if I did a trade (and started my own business).

    • Firebeard on 06/12/2016 - 17:28

      Baker- i had lots of smaller deadlines, between making the different types of breads and organizing employees and visualising timelines in my head.

      I changed for the hours ho estly, but a pay increase is never a bad thing.

      • JimB on 07/12/2016 - 09:36
        +1

        I can see why you quit being a Baker- hours and low pay.

  • rompastompa on 06/12/2016 - 10:28

    If you are waiting for another job, pick the vacuum up, dust, help a coworker, reorganise the workshop etc. You'll be noticed for that rather than asking for more work or sitting around.

    • Firebeard on 06/12/2016 - 17:25

      I do sweep and dust and clean up, but we also allocate time at the end of the day for that, also sweeping a 50m square takes less than 10 mins to do a really good job- im used to sweeping up.
      I do help co workers, which is part of the problem as i get told to slow down.
      Thanks for the input tho!

  • cupcake on 06/12/2016 - 15:07
    +1

    Everyone is lazy.

  • [Deactivated] on 27/12/2016 - 19:22

    Lol, it seems like you want to finish every piece of work that is assigned to you as earliest as you can. That is the reason you are asked to slow down and relax. This is called over efficiency which can prove to be bad in some cases. So, I would suggest you work at a normal speed and do not work too fast that you get into others' notice. It is like you are energetic and enthusiastic at this age. If you make up your image like that at your work, then they will start expecting things earlier from you and you will be given more work than anyone. As a result of which, you will be overburdened. So, kindly slow down but don't become a slow poke lol.

  • shez1212 on 04/01/2017 - 15:26

    It's more the work culture here TBH. And it's those that work the least that get paid the most, get recognised for their non-existence work efforts and if your trying to do more work it can make you look intimidating to those superior to you … well most of the time anyways.

    Some people just don't appreciate it. But don't let that hold you back on a personal level.

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