So today at work I was involved in a minor accident. Pulled up a little too close to a bulldozer while doing a favor for my supervisor. The dozer operator, who I'm good friends with, didn't see me behind him like he usually does and unfortunately backed right into my scraper. *SLAM* Damn... Not that much damage but enough that we had to come to a stop.
In the last 5 years of operating heavy equipment I have never had an accident. Within minutes an army of foremen and supervisors were there assessing the situation. Conclusion was that we were both at fault. So were are taken to the office for piss tests... we both pass with ease. We fill out paper work and explain what happened. Routine for an accident.
Final decision comes down: We were both terminated.
I loved this job more than any other I've worked on. I sat and tried to negotiate with my supervisors and told them that this job was/is my life. I have a family to support. All they could offer me was "sorry, company policy."
So now I have to go through the process of negotiating with the owner of the company because he's the only one that can overturn a termination. He's unreachable until Monday.
I sit here now, having told my wife who completely broke down, wondering what the fuck just happened to me. This really sucks. And not only that but I was partially responsible for someone else losing their job. I have been presented with quite a challenge here. I've just been thrown a curveball...
Please... this is not a pity party thread. I'm just letting out the way I feel. On Monday I'm going to be fighting to get my job back.
Wish me luck.
sorry to hear that. I hope things take a turn for the better on Monday and you can talk the owner into keeping you
Shitty news dude.
Things happen for a reason and sometimes you can't see it until much later. Use the bad things that happen to you in life as an occasion to prove your worth and be strong - you can come out of this stronger and ahead of where you are now.
Sorry to hear this, bro. Good luck on Monday!
What I don't understand, is why did they piss test you if you were going to be terminated anyways?
That seems like a waste of resources, or is there some kind of legal reason to do it?
That does suck. I hope that the boss is in a forgive and forget type of mood on Monday. I'm sure you and the Mrs. will pull out of this fine. And if you do lose the job, think of it as an opportunity! (I know, harder to do in reality, than it is to say...)
Best of luck, mang.
good thing they dont test for valium :-D
wishing the best!
Quote from: mattstick on January 31, 2009, 08:00:32 PM
Shitty news dude.
Things happen for a reason and sometimes you can't see it until much later. Use the bad things that happen to you in life as an occasion to prove your worth and be strong - you can come out of this stronger and ahead of where you are now.
You see Matt, this is why we've been friends for such a long time. You know what's up. I told my grandfather, who immediately came to the house, about all this a little while ago and he said almost the exact same thing that you just said. He's also my lifelong hero and a brilliant man.
You got game, bro. Thanks. 8-)
Quote from: fauxpaxfauxreal on January 31, 2009, 08:03:08 PM
What I don't understand, is why did they piss test you if you were going to be terminated anyways?
That seems like a waste of resources, or is there some kind of legal reason to do it?
Like they said... "company policy" :roll:
Quote
That does suck. I hope that the boss is in a forgive and forget type of mood on Monday. I'm sure you and the Mrs. will pull out of this fine. And if you do lose the job, think of it as an opportunity! (I know, harder to do in reality, than it is to say...)
Best of luck, mang.
Thanks. :-)
Quote from: mirthbeatenworker on January 31, 2009, 08:03:26 PM
good thing they dont test for valium :-D
wishing the best!
LMAO... :lol:
good luck man.
Quote from: fauxpaxfauxreal on January 31, 2009, 08:03:08 PM
What I don't understand, is why did they piss test you if you were going to be terminated anyways?
That seems like a waste of resources, or is there some kind of legal reason to do it?
Well, if either person failed, it would be more evidence for the firing to be just/fair, and potentially not pay out unemployment $$. The other reason would be that fault could be assigned to just one person instead of both.
HOWEVER, piss testing first kinda points to the theory that your termination is not really "Company Policy." So, there may be more waggle-room for you to get your job back.
On the other hand, as Matt said--this might be the universe giving you a little nudge on the back toward the next greater thing. Well, not a nudge exactly, it sounds more like a kick in the ass toward the next thing...
Really sorry to hear that. I hope things go your way next week.
Quote from: kellerb on January 31, 2009, 08:18:16 PM
On the other hand, as Matt said--this might be the universe giving you a little nudge on the back toward the next greater thing. Well, not a nudge exactly, it sounds more like a kick in the ass toward the next thing...
True. The guy I was terminated with is moving to Telluride to help build their new airport. I may follow. The job in Telluride pays extremely well. I'm still not going down without a fight. Monday can't come soon enough.
one strike policy seems so harsh but I don't know that industry at all.
but why would they be so eager to get rid of an experienced worker? what I see in my business (HVAC) is companies letting go of the most experienced mechanics to keep the less experienced/cheaper guys.
We'll all be pulling for you on Monday, Rich.
Good luck with the fight. Seems to be something fishy here, I just don't know the industry well enough to put my finger on it.
It's not the industry... it's this company in particular. I worked for a company in Phoenix that was much more lenient. If this had happened there I probably would have been given a "write-up" and suspended for a couple of days. All companies have different policies.
It might be an insurance issue, too.
Different companies have different insurance policies/rates, and maybe this particular company gets a lower rate with this type of policy.
Don;t really know what to say, except that it seems that you've been dealt a bad hand- good luck with it on Monday- what is meant to happen will. I also think that while this seems shitty, at least nobody got hurt. Working with heavy equipment is no joke. I know you are a guitar player, at least you have 10 fingers. I work in the industrial field as well, and have seen some gnarl shit....good luck on Monday! Positive vibes from OR....
Quote from: caravan2001 on January 31, 2009, 09:45:29 PM
Don;t really know what to say, except that it seems that you've been dealt a bad hand- good luck with it on Monday- what is meant to happen will. I also think that while this seems shitty, at least nobody got hurt. Working with heavy equipment is no joke. I know you are a guitar player, at least you have 10 fingers. I work in the industrial field as well, and have seen some gnarl shit....good luck on Monday! Positive vibes from OR....
No joke indeed. When he hit me it sounded like a bomb went off. Iron against iron + speed = doom.
Thanks for the positive vibes. (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y151/dead_ahead/tup-1.gif)
totally sucks
good luck Monday
Quote from: Rich on January 31, 2009, 08:42:04 PM
Quote from: kellerb on January 31, 2009, 08:18:16 PM
On the other hand, as Matt said--this might be the universe giving you a little nudge on the back toward the next greater thing. Well, not a nudge exactly, it sounds more like a kick in the ass toward the next thing...
True. The guy I was terminated with is moving to Telluride to help build their new airport. I may follow. The job in Telluride pays extremely well. I'm still not going down without a fight. Monday can't come soon enough.
Plus you'll be in Telluride! That area is seriously gorgeous. I'm sorry to hear about the bad luck, but as Matt said, everything happens for a reason. I subscribe to this train of thought as well. Best of luck on Monday!
Matt and your G'pa make good points.
I hope all turns out for the best.
Good luck with the fight on Monday. The ghost of Bruce Lee will be with you.
Thanks for all the kind words and positive vibes. I'm trying to remain positive today. As my gramps said yesterday, "don't you dare give up, ever."
Thanks again guys.
Well, I didn't get a call from the owner today but I did get a call from his right hand man. Seems the owner isn't the only one that can overturn a termination. He's in town and is in the process of investigating the incident. Once he's had a chance to review the information he wants to meet with me tomorrow afternoon to discuss terms of re-hiring me. I was definitely terminated, however, I'm immediately available for re-hire. Go figure... makes no sense to me but whatever.
So tomorrow (Tues.) we'll see what happens. Apparently one of the supervisors from the A shift (I was on B shift) was shooting his mouth off that they had decided the Dozer operator was 100% at fault. I totally disagree with this as we had agreed that we were 50/50 to blame.
The owner's right hand man will get this sorted out and hopefully re-hire me so I can get back to busting the Earth wide open. This is both confusing and stressful... hopefully I can ease my mind soon.
Quote from: Rich on February 02, 2009, 11:52:20 PM
hopefully I can ease my mind soon.
i hope so, too...
good luck tomorrow, sir!!!
Thank you kindly, ma'am. :-D
I'm late to the thread, so sorry for that. Best of luck to you, and I really hope it works out for you.
Fingers crossed, dude.
good luck
{{{vibes}}}
Comin' your way, Rich.
late to the thread also, but matt (and your granddad) put it best. best of luck to ya, buddy...
I'm late to thread as well but will convey the same sentiments as Mattstick. Sometimes it's these kicks in the ass that are just the motivation we need to make changes in our lives. With a family, it just makes it a lot more stressful since you not only have to look out for your own ass, but others as well. Really sorry to hear about your bad luck man and I hope things are working out today.
Okay folks, here's the final poop. I am officially eligible for re-hire. But it comes at a price. I have to wait 30 days from the date of my termination before I can be re-hired. Basically a 30 day suspension. Once that period has expired and I go through their hiring process again I may be able to remain where I am or work at another job in another state if they need me there.
The 30 day period is due to the damage that was caused to the equipment I was operating. Somewhere in the neighborhood of $15K. Which I feel horrible about but what's done is done. I f'ed up and I have to take it like a man. It could be much worse... I could be paying the $15K back to them and never have a shot at working for their company, ever!
Red, the owner's right hand man, did a pretty thorough investigation. He spoke to every supervisor and foreman that I worked with as well as a few employees that I was teamed up with. Apparently not one of them had a single bad thing to say and some were surprised that I had been terminated. As far as the accident, however, I was definitely half at fault. No ifs, ands or buts about that part.
His bottom line was this. Once I'm re-hired I'm at the top of the list for whatever piece of equipment they need me to run. That part kicks ass because I hate running scrapers (they beat the living shit out of you). It also means that he trusts me. That is extremely vital in a situation like this.
So I'll be on hiatus. I'm not terribly happy about the hiatus but it's what I have to take or take nothing at all and try to find work with another company. That can be really bad with the economy in the shitter and a construction industry one step above it. I'm sure everyone knows by now that Caterpillar just canned 20,000 people. I operate Caterpillar equipment. Do the math. :|
Thankfully I have money in the bank and a tax return coming so I can still support my family and get through the hiatus. Even though this is "time off" I wasn't shut out. I have a lot of other things I can do on the side including operating equipment for people that I know who call on me from time to time.
I'd like to thank each and every one of you that sent out good vibes and well wishes. This turned out much better than I expected and I'm going to be fine. Just fine.
Guess I'll be doing a lot more paugin' in the next few weeks. :-D
Glad to see that everything worked out ok! :beers:
Great to hear it worked out. :clap: You'd think they would have insurance for something like that and not have to rely on penalizing you. Shitty that you're off for a bit but I guess you might as well make the most of it and enjoy. :-D
glad it worked out - coulda been a lot worse
:beers:
enjoy the time with the family!
Quote from: caravan2001 on February 03, 2009, 09:50:50 PM
enjoy the time with the family!
Glad everything worked out for you.
too bad you can't spark up during your hiatus since they'll surely check you..
unless you do it right now
Quote from: blatboom on February 03, 2009, 10:42:07 PM
too bad you can't spark up during your hiatus since they'll surely check you..
unless you do it right now
you're full of good suggestions. :wink:
Glad things worked out, Rich.
Quote from: blatboom on February 03, 2009, 10:42:07 PM
too bad you can't spark up during your hiatus since they'll surely check you..
unless you do it right now
Well... technically I can. Only because I don't spark up everyday. Once or twice a month I'll take a couple of hits just to enjoy a nice buzz. At that rate it's out of my system within a couple of days. Plus, I drink a lot of water, take healthy vitamins and herbs daily and add niacin as well.
I can't be a daily stoner anymore. So every time I do get high... I get HIGH!!!
I've got a small stockpile of hash and herb that have been with me for probably 6 months now. I guess you could call me a "casual stoner". :-D
Quote from: caravan2001 on February 03, 2009, 09:50:50 PM
enjoy the time with the family!
indubidably...
glad it worked out! :)
Quote from: Rich on February 03, 2009, 08:38:58 PM
The 30 day period is due to the damage that was caused to the equipment I was operating. Somewhere in the neighborhood of $15K. Which I feel horrible about but what's done is done. I f'ed up and I have to take it like a man. It could be much worse... I could be paying the $15K back to them and never have a shot at working for their company, ever!
I guarantee they are insured for that equipment and sincerely doubt those damages would come out of their own pockets. Regardless, glad to hear things seem to be on the up and up.
Quote from: Superfreakie on February 04, 2009, 04:40:47 AM
Quote from: Rich on February 03, 2009, 08:38:58 PM
The 30 day period is due to the damage that was caused to the equipment I was operating. Somewhere in the neighborhood of $15K. Which I feel horrible about but what's done is done. I f'ed up and I have to take it like a man. It could be much worse... I could be paying the $15K back to them and never have a shot at working for their company, ever!
I guarantee they are insured for that equipment and sincerely doubt those damages would come out of their own pockets. Regardless, glad to hear things seem to be on the up and up.
Oh they're insured. It's just that they want to me understand the severity of what happened. Heavy equipment accidents can kill or seriously injure someone. I already knew this stuff but they want to make sure.
Late to the party--but man, that's good news Rich. Back on the good foot. Enjoy the month off.
Seconded. I'm glad to hear you taking this with pragmatism and positivity. The time with the family and the prospects for getting you back into your gig next month sound great. And since I didn't mention it earlier, I'm very glad that everybody involved is ok... damn!
Sweet, that's cool that it worked out, sucks about the 30 days, but at least you know you have a job and can take a little vacation from it. As I've said here before, the only thing worse than having a job, is looking for one and now is certainly not the time to have to be looking for one.
Side work will put a little variety into life. That can be good.
Take time with the kids and here's hoping they have something for you in a month.
Sorry, man. I had that feeling of making a mistake and everyone attacks you for it, even when they do it and you treat them fairly.
Quote from: rowjimmy on February 04, 2009, 11:52:19 AM
Side work will put a little variety into life. That can be good.
Take time with the kids and here's hoping they have something for you in a month.
Yeah... my sister-in-law just had a baby girl this morning and since I'm not working we're going to head down to Vegas for a couple of days on Friday. I'd be working otherwise but now the wife and I can visit her and see the newest addition to the fam. :-)
Quote from: tet on February 05, 2009, 01:30:15 PM
Quote from: hoodie22 on February 03, 2009, 10:29:23 PM
Quote from: nab on February 03, 2009, 10:02:12 PM
Quote from: caravan2001 on February 03, 2009, 09:50:50 PM
enjoy the time with the family!
Glad everything worked out for you.
Late to the thread, but I'm glad things seem to be working out. And def. enjoy your month with the family!
+k, mang!
So this morning i wake up earlier than usual. No idea why. I head downstairs and start making some breakfast. A couple of minutes later the phone rings.
"Hello..."
"Rich?"
"Yeah this is Rich"
"Hey Rich this is Red. How are you?"
I'd been doggin' Red's phone for the last week to see if I could get my job back and he hadn't returned my call yet. I figured I was screwed.
"Hey Red! How the hell are ya'...? I've been trying to get a hold of you for a few days now. Where ya' been?"
"Telluride. We just got the contract for the new airport going in up there."
"That's great. Do you need people to go up there for work?"
"When the snow clears we're going to need an army to get the job done before winter hits again."
"Well, I sure hope I can be one of the people that gets the job."
"I don't think that will be a problem..." :-)
At this point I'm stoked because I know I'm in. But seeing as there's 8 feet of snow at the site it's going to be a while before we get going. I was hoping he was calling to tell me I could go back to work here.
Red: "Why don't you give Kevin a call at the job site down there I think he has some good news for you."
"Wow... okay Red, will do. Thanks a lot for calling me back."
"No problem, talk to you soon. Bye"
So I call Kevin and after exchanging pleasantries he simply says, "you ready to come back to work?" Me, wanting to say FUCK YEAH I AM, I keep my cool and tell him "absolutely, when can I start?" "Come in next Wednesday, fill out all your paperwork and you'll start on Thursday."
WOOHOO!!!!!!!! I'm back, bitches! :banana: :beers: :-D :clap: (http://www.thetradersden.org/forums/images/smilies/headbang.gif) (http://www.thetradersden.org/forums/images/smilies/banana2.gif) (http://www.thetradersden.org/forums/images/smilies/bang.gif) (http://www.thetradersden.org/forums/images/smilies/w00t9pb.gif)
Kevin told me I'm one of only a handful of people that the company has ever hired back after a 30 day termination/suspension. That was based simply on my quality of work. Basically they need me back because I can operate a lot of equipment that other people can't. They like the fact that I can hop from one machine to another without hesitation. I'M SO STOKED!!! They need me to get out there and show 'em how it's done. :wink:
I'm going to celebrate! Thanks to everyone that sent out good vibes and well wishes. And I mean that!!! It worked!
HELL YEAH!!!! :-D
Good to hear. Congrats, Rich!
Well, that f'in rules. Congratulations!
Thanks guys! :-) +k to all!
Good to hear some positive news on the job front. Congrats. :beers:
Great news, man!!
And I'm sure your family is relieved as well! :banana:
Quote from: keeb333 on March 11, 2009, 01:34:22 PM
Great news, man!!
And I'm sure your family is relieved as well! :banana:
Yeah... the wife is finally happy that she can kick me out of the house again! :lol:
I was driving her nuts. :wink:
Great news, man!
Thanks Yoda! :-D
Haha! You won't be able to pad your post count all day long...
Feeding your family is a plus, though, so that's probably good.
awesome news
:beers:
the only thing that could've been better would be free passes to Telluride until the snow melts (research for the airport project :wink:)
Let me get a hit of that hash-bowl Rich - celebrations! :-D
Congrats man, hope nothing like that ever happens again!
Quote from: rowjimmy on March 11, 2009, 05:07:01 PM
Haha! You won't be able to pad your post count all day long...
Feeding your family is a plus, though, so that's probably good.
Heh... I don't pad my post count. (http://www.dimeadozen.org/images/smilies/whistle.gif)
And yes, feeding the fam is #1 priority.
Quote from: slslbs on March 11, 2009, 06:20:32 PM
awesome news
:beers:
the only thing that could've been better would be free passes to Telluride until the snow melts (research for the airport project :wink:)
Dude... I'd give my left nut to have a free pass at Telluride. That place rocks! :-o
Quote from: MiamiPhish on March 11, 2009, 07:08:17 PM
Let me get a hit of that hash-bowl Rich - celebrations! :-D
Congrats man, hope nothing like that ever happens again!
*hits hashpipe and passes to MP (cough cough)
Thanks, bro. Nothing like this will
ever happen again. I learn from my mistakes and that was the only incident I've had in 5 years of doing this. So, no, it's not going to happen again. 8-)
Congrats dude. You gonna have to relocate?
Hey congrats bro! I sorta know how ya feel, my dad went through some shit and Ive been though my fair share so far. But you always got to look at the bright side no matter what. Because even when you think things couldn't get any worse sometimes they do, but eventually you get your 2nd chance or what ever it is you want to call it. At least it all worked out!
This is a great turn of events considering 12 million people are currently unemployed. Went in this morning and re-filed all my paperwork with the company. Got the kind "welcome back" talk from the project manager and I'll be rippin' shit up tomorrow.
Back in the saddle again! w00t! :banana:
So does that mean everyones crashing at Rich's for RR?
:evil:
congrats man, hope you enjoyed the vacation!
Quote from: fauxpaxfauxreal on March 18, 2009, 08:00:25 PM
So does that mean everyones crashing at Rich's for RR?
:evil:
congrats man, hope you enjoyed the vacation!
:lol: lmao
I live about 9 hours from Red Rocks. We have plenty of crash space but the drive might be a bitch! :wink:
Quote from: Rich on March 18, 2009, 08:10:19 PM
Quote from: fauxpaxfauxreal on March 18, 2009, 08:00:25 PM
So does that mean everyones crashing at Rich's for RR?
:evil:
congrats man, hope you enjoyed the vacation!
:lol: lmao
I live about 9 hours from Red Rocks. We have plenty of crash space but the drive might be a bitch! :wink:
That would be one crazy post show drive. :-D
Congrats again.
Quote from: Rich on March 18, 2009, 03:50:08 PM
This is a great turn of events considering 12 million people are currently unemployed. Went in this morning and re-filed all my paperwork with the company. Got the kind "welcome back" talk from the project manager and I'll be rippin' shit up tomorrow.
Back in the saddle again! w00t! :banana:
Congrats man, that's great to hear. :beers:
Thanks, dude. I'm enjoying my weekend right now (I work odd hours, weird shifts). 8-)