Let Go
I was a Field Service Technician for 31 years ... had the same customers and worked on same equipment for those 31 years. Over time the ownership of the business changed hands several times and the name of the business changed at least three times - but always had same customers. The next to last ownership change we of course had to keep track of our travel and labor times. During times of not working on equipment was called courtesy time .... this was time used to get maintenance done on company cars, like oil changes, tire & brake replacement. Courtesy time was also used to do paper work, do weekly reports, order parts, and do cold calls with customers trying to get maintenance and equipment leads. Courtesy time was used to keep track of our hours besides the hours we used for travel & labor.
The last ownership change was a year ago ... during orientation us technicians asked about using courtesy time ... they did not have a clue about using courtesy time and did not want us to use it. We asked then how do we keep track of our time doing paper work, filling out reports, and taking care of the company car.
Management told us to just roll over that time into the customer's labor and travel times. So that is what we did - but mostly with the contract maintenance customers. We did not want to put any extra charges on a charge customer. Well over the past year I would roll over the courtesy times into the labor and travel times of customers. Supervisor told me a couple of times not to roll over too much time ... but I am trying to keep track of all my time.
Management then started to get strick about ticket times matching time card times. There was a category on our time sheets for courtesy time but they did not want us to use it.
I got a phone call from my supervisor saying my times did not look right and we have to let you go. WTF !!! ... I did not get a chance to explain anything. If I did something wrong I did not get any kind of warning, did not be put on a probation, did not get a chance to do anything. 31 year career of no complaints, no disciplinary actions and boom let go just like that.
My times never cost the company a dime ... there was never ever any money lost to anyone. I was unfairly let go.
Brian Howerton **sorry that happen in that way.
** From what I'm understanding your problem seems to be base on these two statements: 1. Management told us to just roll over that time into the customer's labor and travel times. So that is what we did - but mostly with the contract maintenance customers. We did not want to put any extra charges on a charge customer.
→ I (Brain) would roll over the courtesy times into the labor and travel times of customers. ← doing what was instructed of you.
- [The] supervisor told me a couple of times not to roll over too much time ... but I am trying to keep track of all my time.
So based on that; "You got a phone call from my supervisor saying your times did not look right and we have to let you go." ... Brain do you think that this has something to do with the facts of the latter of to? I'm seeing "too much time being allocated improperly." So, before you go off (I understand that you're upset!) ..but.., reflex back a little to your actions (putting in your times) and see if you have made any mistakes. Again, I'm sorry that this happens to you after 31 years of loyal service.
If you worked for the same customers for over 30 years, I imagine you have a repore with some. Use that to your advantage, file unemployment contact The EEOC, age discrimination may be playing a role
Now that's fucked up
Brian, 2020census.gov/jobs They are hiring until April of 2020. It is an excellent way to get your foot in the door with the federal government. They are hiring for thousands of positions across the US. They renew you every 8 weeks and if you last the entire tenure you have a chance at a permanent position with the federal government. GS5 is low but that's what office clerks will have when it ends. Some of the positions like management and other positions are of a higher grade. Check it out! TYJ
Companies are going high tech: tracking company vehicles in real time and company phones. So many people do not know that if it is owned by a company it is not subject to any privacy laws. (the phones are the bigger issue if you do not want everyone knowing your personal life) Most companies allow personal use of phones is my point.
That is so unfair, but when companies change hands it's sometimes worse than quitting on your own, and finding a new job. I worked for Equifax as a transcriptionist . Each report we typed was worth a certain number of fees, or points. To get a raise we had to maintain or increase fees. They told us that all reports would be worth less fees per report, even though we typed far more pages for some than others. We complained to supervisors and they told us to add points for each additional page, which helped. Don't know if the higher ups would have approved. If you could write to the new owners of your company for which you were let go, it may help. Show them your history, and your way of taking" down time" in the past. No employer should make you charge customers for doing maintenance or recording reports. Make your case plausible and hope for the best. Good luck.
Maybe it's time to give another company your value and experience. Comcast is a very good company and they are hiring comm techs. You will never have to guess about your time because they will honestly pay you for every minute that you use working for them
Pray about it. I just saw on a church sign. Failure is success onlyi f we learn from it! God is good all the time! Never give up
Labor laws with records kept by u will protect u and come out in your favor but some states like texas dont have to give u a reason to fire u
My husband used to tell me I'm too dedicated to my job he said when it comes to laying people off or firing them they don't think about the good you have done if you have proof and they don't do three strikes you're out I would report it. That might've been a tool for them to get rid of you.