Teenage Audi mechanic committed suicide after bullying
Discussion
Article here:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/05/24/teenage...
Such choice parts as:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/05/24/teenage...
Such choice parts as:
article said:
George's line manager, Simon Wright, who admitted to playing a number of pranks on George, told the inquest: "I was in the workshop when a prank was played on George and he was set on fire.
"It did not go too far. We knew where to draw the line," he said.
"It was not bullying."
Or:"It did not go too far. We knew where to draw the line," he said.
"It was not bullying."
article said:
However, Mr Kindeleit [garage owner]did not deny that he had witnessed George being locked in a cage and set on fire and had reacted by laughing and walking away, but he could not recall telling George's parents about this at the meeting.
What a complete load of cockends. Doesn't even sound like they have a shred of remorse.vonuber said:
Article here:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/05/24/teenage...
Such choice parts as:
There are no words.http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/05/24/teenage...
Such choice parts as:
article said:
George's line manager, Simon Wright, who admitted to playing a number of pranks on George, told the inquest: "I was in the workshop when a prank was played on George and he was set on fire.
"It did not go too far. We knew where to draw the line," he said.
"It was not bullying."
Or:"It did not go too far. We knew where to draw the line," he said.
"It was not bullying."
article said:
However, Mr Kindeleit [garage owner]did not deny that he had witnessed George being locked in a cage and set on fire and had reacted by laughing and walking away, but he could not recall telling George's parents about this at the meeting.
What a complete load of cockends. Doesn't even sound like they have a shred of remorse."He said that several of the things he had done to George, such as locking him in the boot of a car and hosing him down with a pressure cleaner, were things most of the apprentices were subjected to and that they would always be laughing at the end."
Is this normal behaviour in a garage? Not sure I would want footprints in my car after a service. And pointing a pressure washer at someone can be dangerous.
Is this normal behaviour in a garage? Not sure I would want footprints in my car after a service. And pointing a pressure washer at someone can be dangerous.
Bunch of Coonts - the guy was going through a traumatic time and he got no support from anyone..
Back in the 90's I worked for VW/Audi, it wasnt unknown for this sort of t
ttery to happen then but I didnt realise it was still something that happened.
Shame on the management for allowing this to happen by not acting appropriately - they could have stopped this from happening, its a work culture thing.
Back in the 90's I worked for VW/Audi, it wasnt unknown for this sort of t
ttery to happen then but I didnt realise it was still something that happened.Shame on the management for allowing this to happen by not acting appropriately - they could have stopped this from happening, its a work culture thing.
When I was an apprentice there was always some light hearted joking and some horseplay but this is out and out bullying of the worse sort. Part of serving your time is about learning to be a man as much as it is learning a trade. You should be able to look up to your journeyman with respect whereas these idiots are just animals. You grow up a lot in those four years, from a daft laddy to someone who can take responsibility for people's lives in the case of trades like mechanics or electricians.
The worst that happened to me was getting a broom through the overal sleeves and the insanely hot mid 20s receptionist rubbing some grease onto my more intimate parts while she was dresed in her trademark short skirt and slightly too tight white blouse. On a good day in the office you would get a glimpse of her hold ups so I hope that paints a picture.
Actually, all these years on, I'd pay bloody good money for that experience now
The worst that happened to me was getting a broom through the overal sleeves and the insanely hot mid 20s receptionist rubbing some grease onto my more intimate parts while she was dresed in her trademark short skirt and slightly too tight white blouse. On a good day in the office you would get a glimpse of her hold ups so I hope that paints a picture.
Actually, all these years on, I'd pay bloody good money for that experience now
It's not just the motor trade, it's most of the trades to be honest. I served as an apprentice but I was always able to look after myself, growing up ginger has its perks, but the other apprentice suffered badly. Multiple counts of physical and emotional bullying on a daily basis and from me, too. He took it on the chin well...
But if it was known he had a mental illness that changes everything.
But if it was known he had a mental illness that changes everything.
Setting someone on fire seems a bit ott!
BUT
As someone whose been in the trade a very long time. Be under no illusion a lot (like 90%!) of these apprentices bring this st to their door. When I was an apprentice there over a few years were several. I never got marked out for extra abuse. I wasn't ever treated like a wker. Probably cause I had a modicum of common sense and knew these people were giving me a career with their training, so when I was wrong I was wrong and when I was right they respected me. Whereas the ones who created st the whole time (and eventually left) were ripped often. Its the old attitude test.
Far too many are belligerent, wont listen to instruction, wont learn, rock up late constantly, make no effort, shirk their chores, throw crap on the floor, play with their phones constantly, are gobby to the people who are TRYING to help them. Disrespect Techs personal tools. And the biggest one is they LIE. They lie that they did something or they lie that they didn't do something, even though its been proven to be the case.
The problem is then that the other staff give up on them. If they don't want to learn why waste your time trying to teach. And basically want them to quit so start being aholes to them
I would say that in the last 10 years, I can count on 2 hands the amount of apprentices I've seen a) finish the apprenticeship and b) stay in the trade
I have personally binned off at least 4 over the years.
One of them had been with nearly every decent guy in the workshop, but pissed them all off. I took pity on him and tried. There were many disagreements, he was more interested in driving the cars than working on them. But the final straw was when he broke my ratchet (it happens) but rather than tell me just left it on the other side of the workshop broken. And went home. When I asked him about it the next day he just said shrugged and laughed. Told him right there and then to fk off and never even come near me again. He thought I was joking. And asked later on to borrow some tools and was visibly shocked when I said No. he then went sick for 3 weeks and never came back. Worked in a pub for a while. Thenhe had tried to restart his apprenticeship. Only to then ps off all the guys at this new place!
Another came over and wanted to use my Torque Wrench. I was in the middle of using it at the time so said "Sorry, No" he then turned to the next guy and said "Rich is being a not lending me tools can I borrow yours" When I queried this he said "I asked nicely, you should have said Yes" When I pointed out I wasn't obligated to give him anything. He got stupid back. He got told where to fk off to as well.
I also get the impression that there's a careers "advice" service out there saying "you're a bit thick and like cars, why not work as a Tech" Cause obviously you can be pig st and work on modern cars. With their multi clutch boxes and CAN networks and emissions stuff 
Which seems to be why we are getting dogste (Though I will add that the majority of apprentices at my current employer are pretty good, better recruitment process I guess) Its funny cause with so few apprentices coming through that are worth it. My value goes up. So in a way its better. But as a result it's something of a dying trade generally.
BUT
As someone whose been in the trade a very long time. Be under no illusion a lot (like 90%!) of these apprentices bring this s
t to their door. When I was an apprentice there over a few years were several. I never got marked out for extra abuse. I wasn't ever treated like a wker. Probably cause I had a modicum of common sense and knew these people were giving me a career with their training, so when I was wrong I was wrong and when I was right they respected me. Whereas the ones who created st the whole time (and eventually left) were ripped often. Its the old attitude test.Far too many are belligerent, wont listen to instruction, wont learn, rock up late constantly, make no effort, shirk their chores, throw crap on the floor, play with their phones constantly, are gobby to the people who are TRYING to help them. Disrespect Techs personal tools. And the biggest one is they LIE. They lie that they did something or they lie that they didn't do something, even though its been proven to be the case.
The problem is then that the other staff give up on them. If they don't want to learn why waste your time trying to teach. And basically want them to quit so start being a
holes to themI would say that in the last 10 years, I can count on 2 hands the amount of apprentices I've seen a) finish the apprenticeship and b) stay in the trade
I have personally binned off at least 4 over the years.
One of them had been with nearly every decent guy in the workshop, but pissed them all off. I took pity on him and tried. There were many disagreements, he was more interested in driving the cars than working on them. But the final straw was when he broke my ratchet (it happens) but rather than tell me just left it on the other side of the workshop broken. And went home. When I asked him about it the next day he just said shrugged and laughed. Told him right there and then to f
k off and never even come near me again. He thought I was joking. And asked later on to borrow some tools and was visibly shocked when I said No. he then went sick for 3 weeks and never came back. Worked in a pub for a while. Thenhe had tried to restart his apprenticeship. Only to then ps off all the guys at this new place!Another came over and wanted to use my Torque Wrench. I was in the middle of using it at the time so said "Sorry, No" he then turned to the next guy and said "Rich is being a
not lending me tools can I borrow yours" When I queried this he said "I asked nicely, you should have said Yes" When I pointed out I wasn't obligated to give him anything. He got stupid back. He got told where to fk off to as well. I also get the impression that there's a careers "advice" service out there saying "you're a bit thick and like cars, why not work as a Tech" Cause obviously you can be pig s
t and work on modern cars. With their multi clutch boxes and CAN networks and emissions stuff Which seems to be why we are getting dogste (Though I will add that the majority of apprentices at my current employer are pretty good, better recruitment process I guess) Its funny cause with so few apprentices coming through that are worth it. My value goes up. So in a way its better. But as a result it's something of a dying trade generally.When I served my time 40 years ago there was always lots of taking the piss out of the apprentice but it was mainly confined to being sent on useless errands, long stand, skyhooks, left handed screwdrivers etc, the worst we ever did was connect the spark plug tester upto someones toolbox and press the test button when they went to pick up a spanner. Spraying someone with the pressure washer or setting them on fire would have been instant dismissal.
Edited by imagineifyeswill on Thursday 25th May 20:17
SpeedMattersNot said:
It's not just the motor trade, it's most of the trades to be honest. I served as an apprentice but I was always able to look after myself, growing up ginger has its perks, but the other apprentice suffered badly. Multiple counts of physical and emotional bullying on a daily basis and from me, too. He took it on the chin well...
Ask yourself this: did he have any choice, or would he not be "one of the boys" and "no sense of humour" and "not part of the team" if he complained. Bullying is disgusting. Its a shame this teenage mechanic took his own life because of it. Its also a shame its "only banter" when it very nearly isnt.
williamp said:
SpeedMattersNot said:
It's not just the motor trade, it's most of the trades to be honest. I served as an apprentice but I was always able to look after myself, growing up ginger has its perks, but the other apprentice suffered badly. Multiple counts of physical and emotional bullying on a daily basis and from me, too. He took it on the chin well...
Ask yourself this: did he have any choice, or would he not be "one of the boys" and "no sense of humour" and "not part of the team" if he complained. Bullying is disgusting. Its a shame this teenage mechanic took his own life because of it. Its also a shame its "only banter" when it very nearly isnt.
He wasn't set on fire, the worst I did was get him to own up about damaging a van which I saw him do...took him weeks. He did not see out his apprenticeship and last I heard he was happy being a bus driver.
imagineifyeswill said:
When I served my time 40 years ago there was always lots of taking the piss out of the apprentice but it was mainly confined to being sent on useless errands, long stand, skyhooks, left handed screwdrivers etc, the worst we ever did was connect the spark tester upto someones toolbox and press the test button when the went to pick up a spanner. Spraying someone with the pressure washer or setting them on fire would have been instant dismissal.
Same for me, and same time-scale. I'm beyond gobsmacked that managers working in a large corporate group like Sytner would have a culture that allows the sort of things described to happen.
Gassing Station | News, Politics & Economics | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff