No help at work
Discussion
Started a new job (Engineering) a while back. Everything going well. Managers are happy with my performance and ability. I've not rubbed anyone up the wrong way. Never said "No" to anything asked of me by management. Good pay. Easy commute, All Good. 
Last week was given a project to do on my own, ideally completed in the week. But as it's something I've never done before. Line Manager was OK with it taking a bit longer.
Day 1, get half way through the day and couple of members of staff point out I'm "doing it wrong" Fair enough. I can always learn. So take onboard their advice and whilst it's not the easist way I figure they know something I don't.
Day 2. Start to struggle a bit now, getting into the meat of the project. Same staff come by and offer conflicting advice. Not sure what to do so try an amalgamate the 2 points and carry on. They come by individually later and again tell me "I'm doing it wrong" (i.e following the others advice) But as I've made a couple mistakes (nothing terminal) they take the opportunity to pass judgement on my ability to do a job they both turned down in the first place! I've dealt with "banter" before so ignore it. This carries on for the rest of the day and into Day 3. Becoming increasingly vindictive. Ordinarily I'd ignore it, but the project is getting to me a bit and I get ratty and ask them to "stop all this sarcastic s
t and give me proper advice, I'm struggling as it is!" I've not raised my voice since I started. I've actually bitten my tongue a fair few times. But they get the arse and inform me that "you can fk off you if you think we're helping you anymore!" (Charming!)
Line manager witnesses it all and tries to cool it down. Senior colleague (of the 2) is told he WILL be helping me. Which he tells them he doesn't want to. (Despite it being his job description!) I try asking him for help, he palms me off. I don't see him for 2 days. When he finally turns up, tells me "why have you done that?, you should have done it this way" and disappers again.
Higher manager has asked me direct if "I'm getting enough help" and I stalled him with neutral "Umms" and "Errrs" which he didn't buy, as he's had my Line manager have a chat asking me "If I'm happy" and "we know it's a big job, but we're confident you can get it done" I know I DO need help. But I can't tell the manager that I'm not getting it, as it will make my day to day life awkward. But if I don't get the help I need, the project will (not may) go tits up and I'll end up carrying the can!
What would you do? Quitting on the spot is not a valid option. Much as I wish it was.
Last week was given a project to do on my own, ideally completed in the week. But as it's something I've never done before. Line Manager was OK with it taking a bit longer.
Day 1, get half way through the day and couple of members of staff point out I'm "doing it wrong" Fair enough. I can always learn. So take onboard their advice and whilst it's not the easist way I figure they know something I don't.
Day 2. Start to struggle a bit now, getting into the meat of the project. Same staff come by and offer conflicting advice. Not sure what to do so try an amalgamate the 2 points and carry on. They come by individually later and again tell me "I'm doing it wrong" (i.e following the others advice) But as I've made a couple mistakes (nothing terminal) they take the opportunity to pass judgement on my ability to do a job they both turned down in the first place! I've dealt with "banter" before so ignore it. This carries on for the rest of the day and into Day 3. Becoming increasingly vindictive. Ordinarily I'd ignore it, but the project is getting to me a bit and I get ratty and ask them to "stop all this sarcastic s
t and give me proper advice, I'm struggling as it is!" I've not raised my voice since I started. I've actually bitten my tongue a fair few times. But they get the arse and inform me that "you can fk off you if you think we're helping you anymore!" (Charming!)Line manager witnesses it all and tries to cool it down. Senior colleague (of the 2) is told he WILL be helping me. Which he tells them he doesn't want to. (Despite it being his job description!) I try asking him for help, he palms me off. I don't see him for 2 days. When he finally turns up, tells me "why have you done that?, you should have done it this way" and disappers again.
Higher manager has asked me direct if "I'm getting enough help" and I stalled him with neutral "Umms" and "Errrs" which he didn't buy, as he's had my Line manager have a chat asking me "If I'm happy" and "we know it's a big job, but we're confident you can get it done" I know I DO need help. But I can't tell the manager that I'm not getting it, as it will make my day to day life awkward. But if I don't get the help I need, the project will (not may) go tits up and I'll end up carrying the can!
What would you do? Quitting on the spot is not a valid option. Much as I wish it was.
An interesting one. I've been in two situations like this:
1) I loved it, I was doing a job above my station and experience. It was a great chance to get XY and Z on my CV and I exploited it to the full. Brilliant chance to punch above my weight.
2) I was hired by a former manager (and friend of mine). He wanted me to do a job that was above me. (only now can I admit that). It was also outside of my skillset. I was, to be honest, crap. He knew it, he'd hired wrong. I was out of my depth and not interested (I can say this with hindsight) in the role.
Talk to your friends who know you well, and your family. They know you better than you think.. Don't hold on in a job you don't like. Equally don't think a challenging job is a bad thing.
1) I loved it, I was doing a job above my station and experience. It was a great chance to get XY and Z on my CV and I exploited it to the full. Brilliant chance to punch above my weight.
2) I was hired by a former manager (and friend of mine). He wanted me to do a job that was above me. (only now can I admit that). It was also outside of my skillset. I was, to be honest, crap. He knew it, he'd hired wrong. I was out of my depth and not interested (I can say this with hindsight) in the role.
Talk to your friends who know you well, and your family. They know you better than you think.. Don't hold on in a job you don't like. Equally don't think a challenging job is a bad thing.
Rich_W said:
Started a new job (Engineering) a while back. Everything going well. Managers are happy with my performance and ability. I've not rubbed anyone up the wrong way. Never said "No" to anything asked of me by management. Good pay. Easy commute, All Good.
Last week was given a project to do on my own, ideally completed in the week. But as it's something I've never done before. Line Manager was OK with it taking a bit longer.
Day 1, get half way through the day and couple of members of staff point out I'm "doing it wrong" Fair enough. I can always learn. So take onboard their advice and whilst it's not the easist way I figure they know something I don't.
Day 2. Start to struggle a bit now, getting into the meat of the project. Same staff come by and offer conflicting advice. Not sure what to do so try an amalgamate the 2 points and carry on. They come by individually later and again tell me "I'm doing it wrong" (i.e following the others advice) But as I've made a couple mistakes (nothing terminal) they take the opportunity to pass judgement on my ability to do a job they both turned down in the first place! I've dealt with "banter" before so ignore it. This carries on for the rest of the day and into Day 3. Becoming increasingly vindictive. Ordinarily I'd ignore it, but the project is getting to me a bit and I get ratty and ask them to "stop all this sarcastic st and give me proper advice, I'm struggling as it is!" I've not raised my voice since I started. I've actually bitten my tongue a fair few times. But they get the arse and inform me that "you can fk off you if you think we're helping you anymore!" (Charming!)
Line manager witnesses it all and tries to cool it down. Senior colleague (of the 2) is told he WILL be helping me. Which he tells them he doesn't want to. (Despite it being his job description!) I try asking him for help, he palms me off. I don't see him for 2 days. When he finally turns up, tells me "why have you done that?, you should have done it this way" and disappers again.
Higher manager has asked me direct if "I'm getting enough help" and I stalled him with neutral "Umms" and "Errrs" which he didn't buy, as he's had my Line manager have a chat asking me "If I'm happy" and "we know it's a big job, but we're confident you can get it done" I know I DO need help. But I can't tell the manager that I'm not getting it, as it will make my day to day life awkward. But if I don't get the help I need, the project will (not may) go tits up and I'll end up carrying the can!
What would you do? Quitting on the spot is not a valid option. Much as I wish it was.
Hell, are you a subbie or something?Last week was given a project to do on my own, ideally completed in the week. But as it's something I've never done before. Line Manager was OK with it taking a bit longer.
Day 1, get half way through the day and couple of members of staff point out I'm "doing it wrong" Fair enough. I can always learn. So take onboard their advice and whilst it's not the easist way I figure they know something I don't.
Day 2. Start to struggle a bit now, getting into the meat of the project. Same staff come by and offer conflicting advice. Not sure what to do so try an amalgamate the 2 points and carry on. They come by individually later and again tell me "I'm doing it wrong" (i.e following the others advice) But as I've made a couple mistakes (nothing terminal) they take the opportunity to pass judgement on my ability to do a job they both turned down in the first place! I've dealt with "banter" before so ignore it. This carries on for the rest of the day and into Day 3. Becoming increasingly vindictive. Ordinarily I'd ignore it, but the project is getting to me a bit and I get ratty and ask them to "stop all this sarcastic s
t and give me proper advice, I'm struggling as it is!" I've not raised my voice since I started. I've actually bitten my tongue a fair few times. But they get the arse and inform me that "you can fk off you if you think we're helping you anymore!" (Charming!)Line manager witnesses it all and tries to cool it down. Senior colleague (of the 2) is told he WILL be helping me. Which he tells them he doesn't want to. (Despite it being his job description!) I try asking him for help, he palms me off. I don't see him for 2 days. When he finally turns up, tells me "why have you done that?, you should have done it this way" and disappers again.
Higher manager has asked me direct if "I'm getting enough help" and I stalled him with neutral "Umms" and "Errrs" which he didn't buy, as he's had my Line manager have a chat asking me "If I'm happy" and "we know it's a big job, but we're confident you can get it done" I know I DO need help. But I can't tell the manager that I'm not getting it, as it will make my day to day life awkward. But if I don't get the help I need, the project will (not may) go tits up and I'll end up carrying the can!
What would you do? Quitting on the spot is not a valid option. Much as I wish it was.
Seriously though it sounds like your colleagues are a bunch of w
kers. Sorry to hear it but there are loads of people like this in engineering. I've never understood it myself as I'll help anyone and will gladly give up my time irrespective of how busy I am. Most of the places I've worked have been similar but am finding it less so since shifting to the aircraft industry.You can take it one of two ways.
1) Look upon it as a challenge and learning opportunity. If your manager is worth his salt and has his ear to the ground he will appreciate the situation you've found yourself in and will cut you some slack when you deliver. Use the time to extract the maximum from the situation by making the odd mistake and trying a few different approaches (if feasible). Guidance is always useful but if it's not available then you just have to treat it as a character building exercise.
2) Get the hell out of there. I can't stand people/organisations where there isn't a supportive culture. It will stunt your growth as an engineer as we all need support from our colleagues. To me it's like sitting in a warm car and watching some poor f
ker that you work with standing outside in the pissing rain with no umbrella and doing sod all about it. Tossers like this deserve to work together. Real engineers can see the bigger picture.I would be inclined to opt for the latter. Not that I give up easily but it sounds like the culture stinks.
Best of luck
Cheers for the replies guys.
Currently doing the "Learning Opportunity" at the moment. When this project is finished. I will make a decision on what I do next. Though I suspect I (and you) already know what that will be
ETA
Fatman. How on earth did you work that out.
I was deliberatly being vague! 
Currently doing the "Learning Opportunity" at the moment. When this project is finished. I will make a decision on what I do next. Though I suspect I (and you) already know what that will be
ETA
Fatman. How on earth did you work that out.
I was deliberatly being vague! Edited by Rich_W on Tuesday 22 November 21:17
I agree with the others, having been in a similar situation. It seems to be very common in Engineering imo. For some reason there's a distinct lack of those that could be described as a people person(!).
Don't think badly of the place though. Think of it as a damn good position to be in whilst job hunting.
Don't think badly of the place though. Think of it as a damn good position to be in whilst job hunting.
What a great experience. You'll learn more from this one episode than from years of being comfortable! I would lap up the challenge, the anxiety, the stress and the excitement. Learn about different behaviours and leadership styles, and take what's good from what you experience, and leave behind the worst. Success or failure, you will come out of the other end a much better operator and person. Good luck!
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