98 replies to this topic

[QAGB]

I voted not happy but not enough to make a change.

Well, over all I somewhat like my job.

Its the employees and other management that make it very hard to go to work happy.

All though I am "management", why am I doing all the work? lol

I'm at a company where NO ONE helps out anyone. You are definitely on your own.

The other day an employee slipped and fell and the other employees just looked at her and went back to work.

This makes it impossible to be happy at my job.

 

Quick question for anyone.....have you guys ever have one of your employees put their work on you? An employee tells their boss to do their job?

Let me know what you think. Just curious.

 

And yes this happened to me and yes....I got stern and told her to do her job! (if it was up to me...she wouldn't have a job any more)

So yea..this is a pattern here at my company. No respect.

Sorry for the rambling

 

I've been there, Jiljilbean, but I made the big change. As I mentioned just above, lack of support is a no-go for me. I burnt out very quickly doing the workload of several other managers with minimal help or input. As for whether my employees ever put their work on me? Absolutely not. They did their jobs. I also tried to make sure most duties were spread evenly, and if they needed help, I assisted them when necessary or got them assistance. 

[GMO]

Sadly now clinically depressed (again), partly due to work. 

[QAGB]

Sadly now clinically depressed (again), partly due to work. 

 

Sorry to hear that, GMO. Are you still in the same job location, or did you find work elsewhere which is still causing you trouble? Have you ever considered consulting? You've always been very knowledgeable and I think your talents could be better utilized to help people that actually WANT it.

[GMO]

Sorry to hear that, GMO. Are you still in the same job location, or did you find work elsewhere which is still causing you trouble? Have you ever considered consulting? You've always been very knowledgeable and I think your talents could be better utilized to help people that actually WANT it.

 

Thanks, it's the nature of the job to an extent I think.  I've had two periods of consultancy but it's a precarious role, especially with recent tax changes in the UK.

[QAGB]

Thanks, it's the nature of the job to an extent I think.  I've had two periods of consultancy but it's a precarious role, especially with recent tax changes in the UK.

 

Yep, it is the nature of the job. There's so much stress - and truly it is a thankless role...people only see the hold tags and policies. I'm hoping you find something decent!

[GMO]

Yep, it is the nature of the job. There's so much stress - and truly it is a thankless role...people only see the hold tags and policies. I'm hoping you find something decent!

 

Thank you... I think because I now work at a site which is very immature in its food safety culture, it ramps up the stress of audits (which I'm still expected to get good results in. Notice the "I" not "We".)

 

I often talk to other people in other professions and say "how would you like it if someone came in and trawled through your work every few months.  Often unannounced, sometimes rudely, sometimes in a more coaching way but still, you feel minutely dissected. 

 

Remind me why I do this again?  Perhaps I'm just getting old and jaded.

[QAGB]

Thank you... I think because I now work at a site which is very immature in its food safety culture, it ramps up the stress of audits (which I'm still expected to get good results in. Notice the "I" not "We".)

 

I often talk to other people in other professions and say "how would you like it if someone came in and trawled through your work every few months.  Often unannounced, sometimes rudely, sometimes in a more coaching way but still, you feel minutely dissected. 

 

Remind me why I do this again?  Perhaps I'm just getting old and jaded.

 

 

Oh I totally understand. I know the feeling of "we"...when audit results are great, and "I"...when results aren't what everyone wants. I can implement policies, but I can't watch everyone to make sure they are doing what they are supposed to do. You have to trust your production team to follow through. When you don't have a proper food safety culture, it definitely is harder to make processes work the way they should. 

 

As to trawling through your work - I also felt the same way. Often to the point where I truly dreaded audits. I got tired of opinionated auditors and specifically customer auditors trying to force us to implement ridiculous policies because "they said so". The larger the customer, the more they felt they could dump on us. They also started bringing in their own customers to conduct audits of our facilities. That's always fun.

 

For all these reasons - I moved on. Still in QA, but far removed from that situation. It's one of the best things I've ever done. So I guess that makes two of us being old and jaded. 

[chany256]

I have been working and growing at my job for the past 10 years and have to say that i achieved quite a lot in the past years, plus i learnt a great deal!  Especially when undergoing through BRC.  There was a time I was going to quit as the first audit of BRC totally drained me... however now I am quite pleased with what we achieved as a team and intend to stay for another 10

[Longshot]

Voted with the not unhappy enough to leave and not happy...

 

My comments are not intended to be a complaint or venting.  Intention is to share so that my comments may be helpful to others in improving workplace culture.

 

Our organization: small organization, two locations, two building producing animal feed, one building producing food.

 

My role: Food & feed safety, & workplace safety (regulations/compliance, policy, procedures, training, and documentation) 

 

The job has many challenges when you have strong support from the organization.  It is difficult maintaining buy in and support in Safety, be it Food/Feed or Workplace.  Subjects most individuals don't care for and prefer to take short cuts, complain about following proper procedures and completing documentation, prefer the "old ways," old habits, finding shortcuts or ways to avoid doing the job safely.  As a safety professional it is challenging staying engaged, productive, and positive when you feel (and can show) purposely being left "out of the loop" when in comes to addressing issues/concerns.  Management attitude appears to not want Safety role involvement because it likely will include difficult questions and solutions to address/eliminate causes (including costs).  Prevailing management individuals with strongest influence prefers quick, "sweep it under the rug," solution - don't involve "Safety."  This leads to a feeling of isolation, unappreciation, and being unwanted.

[zanorias]

I've changed my vote from "Not happy at all and thinking about what to do next" to "I'm delighted with it".

 

I thought about it and eventually decided after a year of hoping things would change in the company and trying to make that happen and champion food safety, I concluded that it wouldn't change, so I'd be better off leaving. I've just joined a large manufacturer as an Internal Auditor and, whilst it will be challenging initially, it's such a relief to work for a company that appreciates the value and importance of food safety. I wish I'd done it sooner, and would encourage anyone who is unhappy or struggling to keep options open and consider moving if feasible. 

[Mark.V]

Edited by Mark.V, 15 October 2019 - 11:45 AM.

[Mark.V]

I've changed my vote from "Not happy at all and thinking about what to do next" to "I'm delighted with it".

 

I thought about it and eventually decided after a year of hoping things would change in the company and trying to make that happen and champion food safety, I concluded that it wouldn't change, so I'd be better off leaving. I've just joined a large manufacturer as an Internal Auditor and, whilst it will be challenging initially, it's such a relief to work for a company that appreciates the value and importance of food safety. I wish I'd done it sooner, and would encourage anyone who is unhappy or struggling to keep options open and consider moving if feasible. 

 

 

That is great news! I am new to the industry and so far it is good, I aspire to move onto a more challenging position as I see my job does not have much growth once I master my current position.

[Njaquino]

I am happy, even though it has its annoyances.

 

I was debating on switching careers altogether because my previous employer did not take my recommendations seriously, they would tell me I was to young and had little experience. I would pass all audits with stellar points. When I switched companies it made me realize I really enjoy working in food safety, I am taken serious as this new place. Even though I am young I am already developing a QA department. I had to grow so fast but it has taught me so much. I now have a better work life balance. You never know what may happen at work. 

[kzimmers]

I voted happy, even though it has its annoyances. I have been working in the food industry for about 22 years. Yes I started from the very bottom (I migrate to this country just with a Chemistry degree) I say just because English became my second language. I worked doing the jobs no one wanted also had to do sanitation (110 lbs holding pressure washers that almost lifted me from the floor) until I said I know how to perform fat extractions, how to do a moisture test, I have done plenty of micro testing when a QA tech didn't showed up for her shift. After that I started working and educating myself in the food industry. I have been in this company for about 8 1/2 years and I just love to get here every day.

Why the annoyances, well there is people who came and worked here since they came out of high school and this is the only job they have had in the last 25 to 30 years. When SQF became part of their life's that was the most catastrophic experience that punched them hard and they had to start changing their ways to perform their duties and at times I'm still the bad cop. I am proud when I see that all the implementations in place  are making the difference, our auditors always leave with an smile because our employees are educated and management is compromised with  quality more than just producing.

You are right when you say  start from the bottom to gain experience, even when your position does not call for you to go out and get dirty the best way to learn is with the production employees. :)

 

By the way... now I am the Quality Assurance Director

Edited by kzimmers, 17 October 2019 - 09:02 PM.

[fepuhe]

Agree with Barbara 

I am happy with my current job, the factory is in a fairly remote position from the city. Location makes it far from family, but with work, I can forget the time.

As a Quality Manager who has joined since the company was founded, I get the opportunity to understand the people here, and are considered senior, so it is easy for me to enter the principles of food safety.

[erlouisseescobar]

I'm kind of happy with annoyances. In serious case, for my 2 years as a Quality Assurance Specialist, I started as a fresh graduate then I grow here as an independent individual (I learn decision making, to have lots and loooots of patience, self confidence and honesty towards my job) and this is a food manufacturing where I always render overtime. Here in the Philippines, normal working hours is 8 hours/ day and with overtime is somehow 10 hrs to 12 hrs and we are paid per DAY not per hour (it is in the government law) unlike in the country. I've always wanted to give up. I'm physically, mentally and emotionally tired. I also do not like the attitude of my 2 co-QA's because they are making small things worst. I'm really sick of it. I also even felt that I am underpaid. Now, I just got my salary increase last year, I like to educate myself and to have a career development where other companies can accept me. I feel down in the moment I tried to search for a new job and for an average student in college like me I don't have any Latin awards/honors or outstanding grades (here in the Philippines, employers seek employees with achievements that's why its hard for me) I am also not an active student that joins in-campus clubs/organizations. Now, I got my head banged into the wall and realized I'm getting older and need to upgrade myself. I want to have achievements that I can be proud of. I want to become a successful Food Technologist with a purpose in life. I shared with you this because I have no one to talk to and I hope learning here in IFSQN would be able to reach my goals someday. 

[Alectia]

Voted "I'm not happy at all and thinking about what to do next". Dreaming for a better job.

[Sawad]

Hi,

 

I started my career as Jr executive in QA in McCormick, production plant in India, worked for 3 years (complete lab work & some plant hygiene related work). Learned a lot..and was very happy with the work. But there was no scope for career improvement. Then joined as Hygiene officer with Lulu Hypermarket chains in Bahrain. Good environment. Good support from the management. But sometimes even the management takes decisions that are not good for the quality, For eg our sister-concern is doing meat supply for our butchery section..some time they do delivery vacuum pack meat when there is only 1 month left for expiry..(management says as it is not expired we can use it)  .And the government regulations are not so strong . Am happy but looking for more roles....

[TimG]

Why does the website keep popping this old topic up under New Content?

I think it's the universe trying to tell me something.... 

[Simon]

Why does the website keep popping this old topic up under New Content?

I think it's the universe trying to tell me something.... 

 

Ha ha Tim, the forum is not trying to tell you something.  If somebody votes in a poll the topic is bumped up the new content list.

 

Tenuously related. My wife and I had some takeaway sushi yesterday and then later in the day a video of somebody prepping sushi popped up on her Facebook.  My wife couldn’t' believe that big brother was watching and was always doing this.  One by one I asked her about all the things that happened, or we discussed that did not pop up on her Facebook stream.  Surprisingly, none of them did.  Weird…

 

Have a nice day.

 

Regards,

Simon

[Miss Frankie]

I was at my last job for nearly 37 years.  Do I LIKE my current job...too early to say.  
I would like it better with more guidance.  Nobody has really told me what I'm supposed to be doing. They just sort of throw things at me and expect me to do it and for the most part I'm managing.

Some of my co-workers hate our president and the negative comments are bothersome.  She loves me (so far)  but I come in, do my job and go home.  I don't do drama or make a lot of noise or fuss like some others do.

I have looked around a bit, but they are paying me VERY well.  For what they are paying, I can put up with a LOT.

[A D I E L]

Is any of you have an open career? 

[Miss Frankie]

I lasted almost 1 1/2 years at my last job.  Couldn't handle the micro-managing upper management with zero training, TONS of expectations and poor treatment of production employees.  If you requested a $20 item, there were 20 questions to answer, then half the time you were turned down. Production workers didn't care about policies or the product.  You could come in early, but weren't allowed to leave early w/o being grilled as to why.

 

I've been at me new job about a month and can we say training overload??? WOW!  The first 2 weeks were intense! The former QA manager going over as much as she could before leaving. Then I'm spending a couple hours a day with leads in production learning the process (I'm pretty familiar with MOST of it).

They don't question why you are requesting to purchase something (I DO give a reason).  Just this morning, I requested a new EnSure Touch ATP reader, within 1/2hr, I get an email saying it had been ordered. 

 

My last 2 jobs, I've had to do all the QA stuff myself, nobody seems to know when things were due, what needed to happen, why things needed to happen, they relied on my telling them what needed to be done and why. Here, ALMOST everybody knows what's going on.  Multiple people understand our SQF policies and they STICK to them. Production workers will stop you if you're wearing the wrong color hairnet or smock.  It's nice, but will take some getting used to.

Here, they are flexible on times, especially management.  If you need to leave early or come in late, just let someone know and it's al good. And ALL the workers seem to really care about the company.  Not to mention, 4/10s is pretty nice...still getting used to having 3 day weekends.

[kfromNE]

I lasted almost 1 1/2 years at my last job.  Couldn't handle the micro-managing upper management with zero training, TONS of expectations and poor treatment of production employees.  If you requested a $20 item, there were 20 questions to answer, then half the time you were turned down. Production workers didn't care about policies or the product.  You could come in early, but weren't allowed to leave early w/o being grilled as to why.

 

I've been at me new job about a month and can we say training overload??? WOW!  The first 2 weeks were intense! The former QA manager going over as much as she could before leaving. Then I'm spending a couple hours a day with leads in production learning the process (I'm pretty familiar with MOST of it).

They don't question why you are requesting to purchase something (I DO give a reason).  Just this morning, I requested a new EnSure Touch ATP reader, within 1/2hr, I get an email saying it had been ordered. 

 

My last 2 jobs, I've had to do all the QA stuff myself, nobody seems to know when things were due, what needed to happen, why things needed to happen, they relied on my telling them what needed to be done and why. Here, ALMOST everybody knows what's going on.  Multiple people understand our SQF policies and they STICK to them. Production workers will stop you if you're wearing the wrong color hairnet or smock.  It's nice, but will take some getting used to.

Here, they are flexible on times, especially management.  If you need to leave early or come in late, just let someone know and it's al good. And ALL the workers seem to really care about the company.  Not to mention, 4/10s is pretty nice...still getting used to having 3 day weekends.

 

I'm very happy for you. Enjoy the 3 day weekend.