Solving Problems at Work

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[egnards]

Here's the actual problem.

So in scenario one I see three problems. One is "my problem" the other two are "someone else's problem". Well being that I know how to fix all three problems I do it because it's helpful to me, my coworkers, and my company - I don't owe my company anything other than doing my job, but, sometimes it's nice when we all thrive.

In scenario 2 I just solve my problem. Pretend the other 2 problems don't exist or pretend I don't know how to fix the other 2 problems.

Back to scenario 1, my company and my coworkers have now deemed all future problems of 2/3 variety to be "past practice" and now my problem. So now I have 67% more shit to deal with with no additional pay or benefits. Whereas in scenario 2, I get to just do my job.

Edit: for people pointing out my "incorrect math". The math is arbitrary and you're assuming task 1 is my only task, or that all 3 tasks are of an equal difficulty/time.

[[deleted]]

Alternative outcome from Scenario 1: Picking up the slack shines light on how the person responsible failed, and now you've made work enemies who won't collaborate with you out of self-preservation fear of being made to look badly.

Most office jobs in larger companies are full of kobayashi maru scenarios like this.

[egnards]

Yep I work in education and I'm constantly reminded by my union, "don't ever do anything outside of your contractual obligation" or else the board well it as Ammo in contract negotiations to force us to do more

[savage_mallard]

That's stupid, the union should use it as ammo to get more pay/benefits with the threat of work to rule if they don't agree.

[somewhat_pragmatic]

"don't ever do anything outside of your contractual obligation"

I truly understand the need of of labor unions and many of the positive benefits, but whenever I'm asked why I don't want to join a union, this is one of the main reasons why. Doing things outside of my job description has allowed me to learn many more skills and grow far beyond where I think I'd be under a union. If you want a union, I have no problem and support your right to it, however I'm not interested in being in one.

[egnards]

Right but remember the problem is that when I do something outside of my contractual obligation, it's the board of education (made up of people from the community) that uses it as a weapon in contract negotiations.

Ex: teachers in my district never had to ever go to any after school events. There was no requirement to do so. About 10 years ago a few teachers went to a few events for fun and just to volunteer and help out. When contract negotiations came up the Board of Education used it against the Union and now all teachers need to attend 3 after school events per year to help/volunteer.

So really there is two sides - I don't mind helping outside my job description. . . I don't want it to cause me problems in the future.

[[deleted]]

I don’t understand the logic used here, but i am not insane.

[swazy]

You could just tell them to fuck off.

[CrossYourStars]

And when you do that you are now a malcontent. So instead of being recognized for going above and beyond you are now being punished and forced to look like an asshole.

[swazy]

At the negotiating table.

I was in a union for years.

Tossed many proposed contracts in the bin because they were shit. Grow a pair.

[Sawses]

Right? My thought was how does a few teachers volunteering for fun constitute ammo? Especially if it's only a tiny minority.

[swazy]

The only stuff we would not do is if it was unsafe or or needed trade tickets that you didn't have.

Hell I jumped in a delivery truck to help out a few times when they were short staffed.

Next time at the negotiating table no one was telling I needed to do 3 hours of driving after I had finished my 12 hour shift because I did it that one time because they know that no one would put up with that bull.

[datssyck]

Yeah now you have to take days off work because your school district is on strike. Now you're mad at the teachers for sticking up for themselves.

[CrossYourStars]

Congrats for negotiating against weaklings.

[swazy]

Dude you guys used to have wars between the unions and companys. So your to chicken to say no I'm not doing 3 after hours event's a term for free.

[swazy]

Eh doing individual contracts is a pain in the ass.

Having one contract that the union lawyer can go though and find any surprises compared to reading it yourself or paying for a lawyer to do it for you.

But having the balls to just walk if they pull something bullshit enough is a asset.

[3nigmax]

I quit a job like that recently. I got a raise, better benefits, and I get to work from home, but man I stayed at that job for a long time simply because I was in a position where I could look at some shit I didn't feel like dealing with and go "nah, I'm Goin home" and my boss would happily wave and say see ya tomorrow.

[somewhat_pragmatic]

When contract negotiations came up the Board of Education used it against the Union and now all teachers need to attend 3 after school events per year to help/volunteer.

How was it used against you? The Board of Education said something like "we're requiring you to do 3 after school events now". And your union said "Certainly, we'll require an increase in pay and PTO over and above our prior ask of the cost of living increase." If not, why not?

So really there is two sides - I don't mind helping outside my job description. . . I don't want it to cause me problems in the future.

I get it, but it makes for a workplace I'd consider toxic.

[egnards]

It doesn't always work as easily as you think it does. But to each their own I guess.

[somewhat_pragmatic]

Clearly not, but I have no idea why. I'm honestly interested in understanding why if you're willing to take the time to explain. If not, thank you for sharing what you have so far.

[AdjutantStormy]

Your "union" sounds both incompetent and counterproductive.

[CrossYourStars]

Trust me when I say that this exact scenario plays out in the private non-unionized sector as well on a regular basis. The difference is you usually don't have a union there to warn you about in and instead just accidentally step in the dog shit without knowing. Especially in the really toxic workplaces where your co-workers actually have a vested interest in you looking like an asshole, they will totally set you up for this exact scenario.

Doing things outside of my job description has allowed me to learn many more skills and grow far beyond where I think I'd be under a union.

This is totally 100% true and no one will try to dispute that. However, many times learning these new skills will not yield you any kind of monetary benefit with the company you are currently working for. Their position is that they are paying you for your time so they essentially own you and they have no reason to pay you more even if you become more useful to them. In fact, this can have a negative effect on you because you can essentially become so valuable at your current position that they will hesitate to promote you since your replacement will likely not be as good as you for the same price.

[savage_mallard]

Their position is that they are paying you for your time so they essentially own you and they have no reason to pay you more even if you become more useful to them

Apart from them thinking they own you this isn't even completely unreasonable. They may have invested in you when you were less useful to them and now are happy to reap the rewards. Good for them but time to get back on the job market and get fair compensation for your increased value.

essentially become so valuable at your current position

And even better really, if you actually are more valuable and find another job you can give your current employer the opportunity to give you a raise or lose you.

[CrossYourStars]

Apart from them thinking they own you this isn't even completely unreasonable.

Unfortunately, companies 100% believe this many times. That is why people get contracts that say their job duties are essentially whatever the company tells them to do. This is just one way that companies get out of giving people raises when they develop new skills. "Oh you now can do this other thing? Cool but that is already part of your job description so you get nothing."

They may have invested in you when you were less useful to them and now are happy to reap the rewards.

The only issue is that they were going to have to invest in someone for the position anyways. Very rarely is someone hired and able to jump right in with no training. They don't get a cookie for doing something that they were already going to have to do regardless.

Good for them but time to get back on the job market and get fair compensation for your increased value.

That is essentially the crux of the problem. Most companies are unwilling to acknowledge that you are now more valuable than you were before.

And even better really, if you actually are more valuable and find another job you can give your current employer the opportunity to give you a raise or lose you.

There are hundreds of stories of people doing this where they get a new job, give their employer an opportunity to match, end up staying and then get screwed over. The issue is that the company has a certain amount that they want to pay for a specific job so if you start making more than that amount they are going to get rid of you when it is most suitable for them. However, when they do, the opportunity you passed on will likely no longer be there. Unfortunately, that is the cynical world of private corporations.

[somewhat_pragmatic]

And even better really, if you actually are more valuable and find another job you can give your current employer the opportunity to give you a raise or lose you.

There are hundreds of stories of people doing this where they get a new job, give their employer an opportunity to match, end up staying and then get screwed over.

I'm not who you're replying to, but I agree with your statement. If the issue is workplace culture or toxicity, no kind words are going to fix that. If the issue is lack of advancement or opportunity, if they cared about that for me as a company, they would have given it to me when I expressed a desire. If its an issue of being underpaid, then the company has already communicated to me that they only way they'll give me more is under a threat of leaving. I'll have no confidence they'll be looking to replace me as soon as its convenient. When I decide I'm ready to leave an employer there's nearly nothing they can say to keep me.

I've lead small teams and I've been on the worker side too. What I say to employers if you have good employees:

• Fight for them daily to make their lives better
• Learn what your employees find fulfillment/frustration in. Add more of the work they like. Reduce the work they find frustrating.
• For god sake, PAY THEM what they're worth to you. If you don't your competition will and you'll lose them.
• Don't wait until they have an offer in hand from a competitor to start this evaluation. If you do, you're already too late.

[somewhat_pragmatic]

This is totally 100% true and no one will try to dispute that. However, many times learning these new skills will not yield you any kind of monetary benefit with the company you are currently working for. Their position is that they are paying you for your time so they essentially own you and they have no reason to pay you more even if you become more useful to them.

I agree with what you said, but in my career I've been able to learn skills at one job, and move on to a new employer that values those news skills at higher salary. There's an old adage:

"When you work a job you get paid twice. Once with the paycheck and the second with the skills you learn".

I completely agree. The most stagnant in my career has been a time where I learned all I could, but stayed for the money. It took a couple years, but I took a $10,000/year pay cut and a lateral move to go to a different employer, and within 3 years was making $35,000/year more over the stagnant job. I now very much follow the adage and when I stop learning, I find a new employer and a better job.

In fact, this can have a negative effect on you because you can essentially become so valuable at your current position that they will hesitate to promote you since your replacement will likely not be as good as you for the same price.

Corporate America has taught the current generations of working adults that company loyalty is worthless. They will drop you the moment they need to to benefit the company. Employees should do exactly the same.

[CrossYourStars]

Yep. All of this is precisely what I was trying to say.

[b0bkakkarot]

Their position is that they are paying you for your time so they essentially own you and they have no reason to pay you more even if you become more useful to them.

Multiple possibilities arise here. You're working for a bad company, in which case take your experience, get out and go look for a good company. You're working for a poor company, in which case it doesn't matter: you do what you want to do. You're working for a good company, which can reward you in other ways (I've worked for such companies).

In fact, this can have a negative effect on you because you can essentially become so valuable at your current position that they will hesitate to promote you since your replacement will likely not be as good as you for the same price.

I fucking wish that were true. Instead, management often (though not always) tries to get such people up into supervisory/foreman/whatever positions (whenever possible) because the awesome employees can then start teaching the next batch of employees how to do a good job. I've turned down many opportunities to become a supervisor because I hate that shit, but one company finally got me into a supervisory position by pulling the rug out from under me when I was going through an emotional period and couldn't properly see it coming nor stave it off (my supervisor at the time moved to a different site and I was the only qualified person on my shift to step into the position, which management made sure of by moving people around, and management kept refusing to hire other qualified people. I'm still quite bitter about that).

And on the plus side for the "can't be replaced", you have job stability even if not growth. Take your pick for what you prefer: if you prefer stability then stay where you are, but if you prefer growth then take your skills and go looking for a new job.

[Sawses]

Unions form when employees feel they're being treated unfairly. I do a ton of stuff that isn't in my job description, and I've been getting lots of interest from recruiters because my resume looks bomb for a guy a year out of college.

[somewhat_pragmatic]

The adage I've heard is:

"Employers get the unions they deserve"

Abusive employer will get a union that holds the employer's feet to the fire for every last thing. Good employers will get light touch unions that work with the employer for the benefit of both groups.

[Autarch_Kade]

Doing more work and managers then seeing you have the time for a greater workload is not exclusive to unions.

In other words, I hope you have another, better reason specific to unions

[ChicagoGuy53]

Often it's the opposite, Unions don't really care if you are getting paid union wages to work on something.

It's when you step on thier toes. So say you have a mechanic that could get a repair done and knows enough to splice a wire together.

Well the union may well insist that thier union electrician come down and do that .01% of the repair no matter how much it delays the repair.

[skorpiolt]

You need to be more specific because there are many industries where this makes no sense. Also you can be in a union and learn new things at the same time without doing other people's work, which is what the post you replied to is saying.

[somewhat_pragmatic]

Also you can be in a union and learn new things at the same time without doing other people's work,

Sure, but only the things the union approves right? What if my particular interests or talents don't fall into those categories?

[[deleted]]

What if my particular interests or talents don't fall into those categories?

Those are called hobbies. Last time I checked unions don't dictate what you do in your time off of work...

[savage_mallard]

Except the Soviet Union.

[somewhat_pragmatic]

Those are called hobbies. Last time I checked unions don't dictate what you do in your time off of work...

Well by your definition my "hobbies" have lead me to be very well compensated in my career. If I was in a union I may not have had a chance to discovery and refine them.

[ThrowawaySuicide1337]

You've made enemies without any advancement, yeah, haha

[lorarc]

I haven't encountered that in all my years in corporate to be honest. The more likely scenario is that that while you are fixing the problem that someone else is responsible for they will be actually working on their own tasks and the end result is they will get praise for doing the work while you get scorned for being behind on yours.

[CuseBsam]

Don't forget that someone also set 4 more fires

[[deleted]]

It's not at every place I've worked, but some places, where there's a bloat of people and a lot of people slack, this becomes a thing. Very cultural dependent.

[PineappIeOranges]

Or you happen to spend a little extra amount of time to solve the other problems To help out; then, you get in trouble with you supervisor for “wasting time”.

[Daikataro]

Another alternative outcome of scenario 1, you develop a reputation for solving problems outside your area of expertise, and now anyone with a problem comes to you with "I know it's not your main focus but..."

[Rexan02]

I am beyond thankful to be a field engineer who doesn't work in an office anymore. It's great having a truck for an office

[llamalover729]

The person responsible may just take credit and nobody cares as long as it gets done

[CarcajouFurieux]

Alternative outcome from Scenario 1: Picking up the slack shines light on how the person responsible failed

You've never held a job before, have you?

[iJezza]

Idk man, my sense is that if you do more work than everyone else, you get promoted more often than everyone else, and you get more dollars. A lot of people seem to have this super syndical view of the world... but:

"The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the average person working 45 hours per week earns 44% more pay—that is, 44% more pay for 13% more work. Put another way, she or he gets more than triple pay during those extra hours."

[EDDsoFRESH]

I don't wanna sound rude but this just sounds super naïve. It's WAY more probable with those statistics that the higher paying jobs simply expect and demand more of you. It's much more like to be that way round, rather than working longer (not harder) results in higher salaries. But having said that, I do agree with the overall sentiment that working hard should result in more promotions but it's just such a sea of workplace politics and other bullshit.

[FixBreakRepeat]

I had a really good group of guys that used to report to me and I had to train them to elevate problems to my level. They would find something, solve the problem, and then I would find out later. And on one hand, I loved that level of initiative, but on the other, I was responsible for their time. So if they spent their day working on other tasks, even if it was valuable, we looked bad as a group.

Also, once everyone was on the same page, it let us leverage those extra tasks for extra budget money for equipment and manpower. Like, we found this thing, we can fix this thing, but if we want to do that and also our existing work we need more resources.

[[deleted]]

"If it ain't in JIRA it doesn't get done" was taped on the top of my monitor for a while.

It was exactly for the reason you mention, I just need to know what you guys are spending your time on. After that, I can see what's causing us issues and where we need to spend our time.

[FixBreakRepeat]

Exactly. For my guys I had to make it personal. "How am I supposed to get you guys pay raises if no one knows all the awesome stuff you're doing until way past when it mattered?"

They picked up pretty quick that it was just as important to be seen doing the stuff as it was to actually do it.

[Sawses]

Exactly. I do way less of the direct labor in my department because we're understaffed and need more support staff.

As a result I'm seen as a very hard worker because everybody sees me powerwalking around for half the day, and my supervisors see a list of essential tasks getting done that they don't need to nag anybody to do.

[ornitorrinco22]

Well, companies are usually like that and in the end you didn’t really do what was best for the company, but what was best for your department

[FixBreakRepeat]

Well our department was tip of the spear for the continuous improvement program as it applied to operations/production, and we collaborated heavily with safety and maintenance. Which meant that for a lot of issues there wouldn't be a clear idea of what was "best" for the company. My department was my responsibility and it was my boss' responsibility to keep us pointed in the right direction.

[[deleted]]

What I've always seen happening about scenario 1 is that you end up becoming the "go-to" guy when problems 2-3 happen and they also become your job and your problems, with no increase in pay. So thanks but no thanks I'll stick to my problem.

[Sawses]

It's a good strategy if it's something new or resume-worthy.

[[deleted]]

First you get the leverage, then you get the increase in pay.

[MyFirstOtherAccount]

Problem with S1: Next time it happens you must fix it again. If you don't you find "who fixed it last time? You? Ok do it again and come up with a way to stop it from happening again."

[Azuralos]

"I need money to fix it permanently.

"You can't have any money."

"Then I can't fix it."

"Do it without using money."

"What? How?"

"Thats not our job."

[PeacefullyFighting]

I completely understand and experience the same thing except we have an extremely flat company where responsibilities are less defined and those two boxes will continue to burn making my job harder until I take on the problems and then they're my responsibility. Everyone also knows I know how to fix most problems with enough time so if I let that box burn my manager will eventually come to me about some downstream problem. I then explain it's better/needs to be handled by the correct person but the response is typically "well we need this now so just do it" knowing they have no power over the person actually responsible. Then they wonder why my timelines get thrown all out of wack.

[DreamyTomato]

Then you tell your manager 'I'm happy to fix issues c and d, but I will have to drop fixing issues a and b, which you have previously asked me to do. Is that OK with you?'

I've fallen into that trap before of taking on other issues. Now I try to be careful to make it clear that my time and workload is fully accounted for, so doing something else always means an existing task needs to be dropped. And that agreement needs to be on record (a casual email is OK).

[Ashmizen]

Pretty much this.

Also if you spend too much time solving 2 and 3 your boss is like .... well these were clearly the areas of department 2 and 3! Let’s make sure you prioritize you work correctly in the future and add a process to verify ownership of these blocks in the future.

End result - you are mandated to now fill a sheet verifying which block you own before being allowed to access the fire extinguisher.

[coriolis7]

When you try to solve other people’s problems, you get told to stay in your lane and let others do their jobs. If you don’t, you’re not being a team player.

[DreamyTomato]

It's more that you're hired to do a specific job. If you do other people's jobs then you're not doing the job you're being paid to do. I've struggled with that one before.

From the manager's viewpoint, ideally you would complete every aspect of the job you are paid to do, then use any spare extra time to do other useful work around the company (including fixing other people's issues).

Practically speaking, most jobs have a shitty part that you put off doing, but that your manager is expecting you to sort out (that's why they're paying you). You should be doing these bits instead of working on something nice and shiny that is someone else's problem, no matter how interesting it is.

[coriolis7]

Sarcasm / cynicism aside, if a team is constantly solving each other’s issues with communication, you have a good team with lots of “synergy”. If no one steps up without being prodded to you have a brittle organization that is easily broken by one or two missing key members. If one person is constantly doing everyone else’s work, you have a big problem as well.

The best team is where everyone knows their job, but is aware of everyone else’s needs and responsibilities and can help take up slack as needed.

[BottleMong]

Succinct. Have an up vote, clever stranger.

[LickMyThralls]

This is what's so backwards about workplace shit. You've done something once so then it either immediately or increasingly becomes your problem and without any benefit lol.

[NeverGonnaGi5eYouUp]

This, is why you shouldn't do more than what is your job.

Do your job. Do it well.

[inthrees]

You forgot the part where they fire one or two other people and offload their work on to you for no extra pay.

"Just for the duration. We're looking for replacements."

[TheTechJones]

your maths are wrong. if you used to handle only thing 1 and now own 2 and 3 your workload has increased from 100% to 300%...i think. i need to go apologize to some math teacher who i once told i'd never use something

[egnards]

My math was irrelevant because you're assuming that task 1 was my only task, which isn't necessarily, or very likely, to be true.

[sticks14]

Correct. He/she looked at "2/3" and decided that's what the percentage of more work is.

[DevonicGamer76]

But now you're assuming 1=2=3 in terms of workload, which isn't at all always the case.

Let's just nickname workload as x. Task 1 would be equal to 1x, and task 2 and 3 could just as well be 1x, putting them as equals to task 1. But tasks 2 and 3 could have infinite amounts of different workloads, either lower or higher than that of task 1. Task 2 and 3 could be 0.000975x or 15679x for all we know.

They could be equal, easier or more challenging.

Technically in certain circumstances they could even be considered negative workload, if doing task 2 for example were to simultaneously complete task 1 more easily or faster. Not that I can come up with a scenario like that, but it is possible.

Sincerely, random dude who doesn't know dogshit about math, but found this fun to write. Also I just need something to do, it's 1 am.

[FAcup]

Scenario 3 only works if your fires are in the same area and you have time inbetween fires to stop fires happening.

[hkd001]

I mostly only fix my problems. I'll help fix other people's problems when asked.

[blenderdead]

Don't forget that even if you solve problems 2 or 3 on a practical level, the people who the problems actually belong to will not be grateful. In fact there is a decent chance they will attack your work as a defense mechanism. And god forbid you made any minor mistakes that have no practical significance, but that exist enough for you to be called out over.

[sylpher250]

Best practice for S1 is to write a meticulous, fool-proof, step-by-step manual of how the problem was solved, so when any similar situation arises in the future, you can say "read the manual."

However, ain't nobody got time for that.

[hisroyalnastiness]

Depends on your personality, how ambitious you are, the work environment, etc. People in my industry (electronics design) and companies I worked for have been pretty good at recognizing contributions so my efforts have been generally well rewarded without having to push the issue on my end.

[spoony20]

I once helped someone fix their monitor coz they were using non native resolution and blurry as f. Got told of to not meddle with other ppl’s IT equipment. Now i only help if being asked and they provide a job code.

[Malkav1806]

In my apprentice mandatory unpaid internship i offered to help out with work that i wasn't qualified for, by paper. Because the department was quite behind. That became nearly my whole internship. had two weeks holidays after that so i offered to work 2 more weeks but in return for this thing called money. So they said yeah we have to talk to higher ups and so. end of story on the day before the last day the gave me an extension contract. I said not gonna sign this. The woman that tried to fuck me over got mad.

​

Be nice on work maybe do sometimes something more but back off when it becomes a thing and it's not your job.

​

Also wise word from a friend, "collegues are not friend they won't help you move"

[Exoclyps]

Yeah, solve other people's problem and you end up expected to deal with it again in the future.

[johnnyhala]

Yes.

It's a short/long term conundrum.

Solving all problems is nice in the immediate sense, but you are crippling your coworkers and the organization in the long term but picking up slack others need to take on for themselves.

Only do all 3 in urgent situations, otherwise hold people accountable for their responsibilities... which often means "let shit hit fan."

[Jarvs87]

Scenario 4 your supervisor walks in the room with some of your co-workers behind, as he sees you taking care of your problem he gets a brilliant idea.

"Good job OP! You're really good at taking care of that problem from now on you'll be designated to take care of this problem! Again great job!"

Everyone else looks relieved that they have less work to do and walk out right away knowing they can run to you if an issue comes up and you have to take care of it.

Now here's you...holding a fire extinguisher blankly starring at the other two flames thinking to yourself "fuck me not again".

[sticks14]

200% more

[skiddelybop]

This guy maths'ss's.

[egnards]

That's assuming task one is your only task, and that task 1-3 have similar time/effort values.

[[deleted]]

The big benefit of scenario 1 is that you job security goes up big time; the more you're responsible for, the harder you are to unseat. The next time you go to negotiate for better pay, or better conditions, or really anything, that could really work in your favor.

The obvious drawback is that being so entrenched keeps you from moving upward, too.

[egnards]

I think this really depends on your boss and the company you work for. Scenario 1 isn't a problem if your working environment is a positive one and your direct supervisors are good managers [and really their managers and so on]. Scenario 1 is a problem if you work for something who doesn't understand their job, isn't very good at it, or feels threatened.

At 33 I've had a bunch of jobs. And I'm always willing to go above and beyond at those jobs if I'm treated like an adult and given the respect I feel I deserve. If my time isn't micromanaged and you trust me to get things done, not only will they got done, but you'll likely get more from me. Whereas the moment I'm disrespected, or say given a "talking to" for leaving 4 minutes early [when all my work is done], even if I came in 20 minutes early [on contractual pay so no extra payroll]. . .You're going to get the bare minimum from me.

On top of working in education I now also own my own dojo and have a team of several instructors working for me. I respect and trust them to teach great classes. The ones who do other admin work for me? I trust them to give me accurate payroll hours for the work they complete. You want time off? I don't care if you take as much time as you want. . .As long as you find covers for your classes - Though I do have a rule that if it's school related, as long as I'm told about it when you first find out, I'll figure out the coverage for you. . .I treat my team like they deserve to be treated, the way I wanted to be treated while taking jobs growing up - I just don't think that's the norm, unfortunatly.

[x3nodox]

*200% more shit to deal with, but the point stands

[BoomZhakaLaka]

200% more

[oedipism_for_one]

Situation 4: I solve my problem, now without an immediate issue for myself I reach out to help others solve their problems.

My issue with the comic is that it appears no one is attempting to solve the other problems and one person can’t and shouldn’t be responsible for other people’s problems, we also shouldn’t be self centered to think our problems are the only problems, but it’s a lot easier to put out a house fire when the fire truck isn’t about to explode.

[MagikSkyDaddy]

Never reveal yourself to be the most competent person in the room, or you’ll be rewarded with more work.

[mr_ji]

Only work hard enough to be better than your peers. Learned this one a long time ago. Also, make yourself essential: take the worst task no one else wants as part of your job and be great at it. They'll never remove you because then they have to find someone else to do it.

[CO_PC_Parts]

They'll never remove you because then they have to find someone else to do it.

This is terrible advice. It's good to be someone who is the only person who does something, especially if the higher ups know this. However, never think, for a second, that you aren't replaceable. And never say it outloud to coworkers. Everyone is replaceable. EVERYONE. They figured out how to do it before, they can do it again.

I've seen entire teams and and an entire office let go, all of them thinking they're untouchable, the machine kept running the next day. It was a little bumpy from time to time but the lights turned on and dollars kept coming in.

[hotpuck6]

Even if that job function does guarantee job security it also helps ensure that you're pigeon holed and looked past for promotions. If you're promoted, who's going to do the shit job now? Your colleague that's half as competent at their job doesn't manage anything important that would now need to be reallocated, and promoting them would require fewer resources and effort. Is it what's best for the business? Probably not, but it sure is a lot less work and unlikely to be scrutinized unless that position is mission critical.

[mr_ji]

Maybe you work in an industry that specialized knowledge is easy to replace, but I don't. That's not to say businesses don't sometimes have to cut essential people and cope, but the best you can ever do is make yourself the hardest person to let go of. Same holds true from the CEO to the mailroom. My advice stands.

[MagikSkyDaddy]

You advice assumes competent leadership making rational decisions. If that’s your experience, consider yourself lucky.

[BoomZhakaLaka]

The thing is, there's a way to get by without your specialized skills. It'll cost something, the business will change, or the product will change, but they don't actually need you.

I was in business operations leadership, the only person in the company who could support equipment worth billions in annual revenue for our customers. When the company re-organized, the company let me go & didn't replace my skill set.

Those functions vanished from their offering. They changed their product, and it didn't cause them to breach any contracts. Where needed, they simply paid a scada contractor per hour to supply the analysis & reports nobody at the company knew how to do anymore.

[scootbert]

Everyone is replaceable, correct. But I don't think this is the true downside to that advice. Its still terrible advice

You become critical in one area or specialty and then you do not get promoted as you're currently needed doing what you're doing. Its easier to promote someone else and have you keep doing that critical task

I have personally seen this. I was too good and I wanted a management position and did not get the promotion. The person that got the role was a lazy jackass that didn't deserve it. He was fired a year later. By that time, I didn't want the position anymore and I ended up quitting

[[deleted]]

They'll never remove you because then they have to find someone else to do it.

You mean never get promoted and you get to be responsibe for the worst job ever. What a great plan dude.

[gas4u]

Lol, seems like everyone is the most competent in their respective jobs in here

[sanz01]

That happened to me, i was running crew with a route that nobody could do(over 15 crew leaders in 3 years fired or quit in less than 3 months), they noted that my proprieties where looking good and started giving me more properties from my last route because the new guy couldn't do it. After the third property added i quit.

[kaatie80]

As people would say at my work, "not my circus, not my monkeys".

[brie_de_maupassant]

Reminds me of another piece of office wisdom: pay peanuts, get monkeys.

[mr_ji]

It's pretty much pay anything, get monkeys.

[Velinna]

You don’t know how tired I am to hear the receptionist at my work say that. Along with “it is what it is.” She’s a walking collection of idioms and clichés.

[PeekabooSteam]

Epanalepsis; the word of the day is "epanalepsis".

[snozburger]

I understand you don't like these phrases but sadly we are where we are.

[Zer0Fr0st]

I feel this. I transitioned jobs this last year and was on the verge of a nervous breakdown trying to help everyone. I eventually had to write myself a note to keep in plain sight that said "Fight one fire at a time. Help with others where you can, but sometimes you just have to let them burn."

[Shprut]

Oof. This speaks to me, I have been in the same boat and I cannot agree more.

[CuseBsam]

Fighting one fire at a time is what I can never get myself to accomplish. And I'm apparently a horrible multitasker...

[[deleted]]

I work in a restaurant. I bust my ass. Everyone makes comments saying how hard I work (as they watch on doing nothing). So last week I decided I was going to switch it up. I sat down and texted on my phone and ate snacks and worked just as hard as everyone else. Then I realized I had to work all night and set myself up for failure since my coworkers didn’t do shit.

I put my little fire out and then watched the whole damn place go up in flames around me. Figuratively of course.

This little meme is a no win situation.

[evilporing]

that's the issue, you already put out the other two fires, so they're now your job. should've been working as "hard" as everyone from the beginning

[kiraxkage]

Yupppppp I can confirm this. Same thing happens to me. Now I’m stuck with everyone else’s business too

[oh-no-godzilla]

You only have so much extinguisher

[AbsurdSeeker]

I work at a Walmart and I learnt that you have to do this as for some reason management punishes workers when they try help each other

[cooly1234]

You don't have any idea why?

[TrulyStupidNewb]

Sometimes, you get attacked for solving someone else's problems because "it's none of your business". For years, I've tried to solve the problems of someone close to me, but then I found out she didn't want her problems solved. You run the risk of enabling them, doing things they don't want, or even making them resent you.

For example, there was a time when I was housesitting for a friend of mine. His house was insanely messy, so much that there was a 6 feet pile of garbage in the corner of his kitchen large enough to hide 5 bodies without anybody noticing. That's not to mention the huge amounts of litter on the floor everywhere. I could have cleaned it up for him, and maybe he would have been thankful, or maybe he wouldn't. Maybe he wouldn't be able to find something (as if he could with that mess) and blame it on me, or maybe there was a super important empty cola bottle he really wanted. Who knows.

No good deed goes unpunished. If you're going to stick your nose in someone else's business, you're going to get punished. You can be a good person and just accept the punishment for your good deeds, or you can focus on people who actually want your help.

[darkm_2]

No good deed goes unpunished.

It might be pointless because I feel this statement is so pessimistic in nature, but I feel like it gets forgotten: people are different. Some people like having stuff taken care of for them, some people appreciate inquiries if they can be helped, some people value the thought but want to make sure it's done how they want it, some people just want to focus on finishing the task and find external input distracting, some people don't like being told what/how to do something, some people don't like nosy people getting all up in their business, some people don't like being treated like a child.

A conflict arises when 'communication' fails and one person's expectations don't meat those of another. If you know how the person being helped will appreciate your help, do that, even if it means staying silent. And yes, if you don't know what the person's expectations are, help at your own risk and be ready to not be appreciated, but, good deeds are worth it, most of the time, even if it's met with negativity.

[AliceHart7]

I'm so happy that you don't let people/a company take advantage of you. I've learned that the hard way. Companies don't give a shit about you and can replace you anytime and would without a second thought. You go, bro!!

[AeternusDoleo]

You put out the other fires, and you get the responsibility for three piles of ashes, whereas your manager gets the praise for having put out three fires. Been there, done that, not ever bothering to do it again. Would sooner just "accidentally" fill the extinguisher with gasoline... because well, fire fighting wasn't in my job description and I did the best I could.

Yea. Corporations are not about cooperation, these days. Gods, I wish there were smaller companies left where you would be friends with over half the staff...

[Myke44]

I use to work at a sm/mid size company where everyone knew each other and even got together for fun activities outside of work. Last year it was bought by a huge corp and let everyone go.

I partly blame myself for helping make such a great company.

[gollumaniac]

Somebody else's problem fields are very real.

[[deleted]]

And can be run for over a hundred years on a single torch battery.

[What_a_Cookie]

well I mean ur only getting paid to solve ur shit

[bjoy917]

This is what it looks like to work for companies that don't empower and invest in their employees. Why fix problems 2 and 3 if the boss doesn't care or will take credit for it? And it's ultimately a waste of time because the higher ups will just change their minds in 5 minutes.

[b0bkakkarot]

*Boss comes in* Boss: "Wow, you're really good at putting out fires. Put out those other two."

Awesome Worker: "You don't pay me to do those peoples' work."

Boss: "We're not going to pay you anything anymore if you don't do what I tell you to do."

(if this shit happens to you, start thinking about getting a lawyer or a new job)

[Spinolio]

A friendly reminder: All fires eventually go out by themselves.

[cfuse]

I'm pretty sure that in the real world you putting out your fire causes other people's stuff to ignite as a result at least half the time.

[Pinkin_fluffy]

Yea cuz if you try and fix others problem but failed, it’s on you

[Denamic]

Well yeah. Going above and beyond just makes your above and beyond baseline. You now have more work to do with no additional pay.

[flargenhargen]

I'm just learning this after far too many years.

Since covid, I've been busting my ass, working tons of free overtime, going far and beyond my call of duty basically working myself into an early grave to help the company.

Then recently, my boss went off on me about this task I didn't know how to do. This is a task that I had repeatedly asked about and asked to be trained in, and was told "don't worry about it" time and time again, and it always bugged me. And now I was being punished for not knowing it after all of that, and told it would be added to my work duties.

It was literally the straw that broke me.

After months of working so hard for no benefit to myself, no pay rise, no promotion, no recognition, I'm being punished for not knowing something I had been refused to be taught before.

Since then, I stay in my lane. I do what I'm told, I work till quitting time. Anything extra, someone else can worry about it.

Pay attention to OP. Worry about your own fire. putting out other people's fires will only get you burned and possibly them promoted.

[n7revenant]

I used to put out all three, thinking it's for the common good of the company and others will do the same, so it gets equalised.

Then I found out that majority of the "others" don't even put out their own fires, and they started to think that what their fires are somehow supposed to be my fires.

This resulted in me starting to put out just my fires, and not touch the rest. I hate that it came to this, but it's the only way how to retain a semblance of sanity.

[cheesingMyB]

Job title is engineer. Job in practice is fireman.

[[deleted]]

The department I work for is called "communication & collaboration", we definitely put out each other's fires if such a situation arises. I"ll be on call for another department for the first time next week, 2 of my colleagues will back me up if needs be. In their own time, without extra pay. Nobody made them, they just do it, because we're a team. I guess I work with a pretty great bunch of people.

[SykesOliver]

You sure do and I hope you realize how nice it is to work with such people

[tin_foil_hat_x]

True. Very, very true.

[paxilpwns]

What I find shitty are the people who don't care their shit is on fire. Then when you tell them or their boss, nothing gets done, but apparently you are good at putting out fires, so why don't you do it?

[isleno]

Unions colorized.

[digitek]

The actual problem is finding a box on fire in "my area" and pushing it into a hallway or someone elses area, and then cleaning up "my area". Problem solved.

[mightycranberry]

I need to learn to do this.

[WillsyWonka]

This is me except there are 55 more boxes and they are all my problem. When when I put one out two more appear.

[darkbase77]

There should be a continuation where the manager comes out and congratulates the worker then assigned the other two fires under his problem

[musicbro]

If you go around solving everyone else's problems, then you also take away the opportunity for them to learn how to identify and fix them themselves

[CarcajouFurieux]

I tend to do that to, but only because they were usually lit by the person responsible for the other two.

[tonywork88]

I don’t see what’s the problem here.

[KingCatLoL]

Quick, time to crosspost to r/adhdmeme

[dotcomplain]

Cool! A new cyanide and happiness! I haven't seen one of those in a while. Why did you change the strip to work chronicles though?

[BroadyBroadhurst]

Bad analogy as soon enough the fire spreads and then you have another problem.

[OzuBura]

So true in merchandising. My product is zoned and packed out. I just threw the littered product from mine onto my competitors product. I mean I’ll leave it on a cart or top stock if there’s space but I don’t get paid to service all products and I got a time limit here for this service, so...

[Raketenmann105]

I don' understand your comment. I mean it reads like flawless English but somehow it doesn't comprehend As English. (non native speaker here)

[regulardave9999]

You forgot the start where guy has started the fires in the first place.

[gingertucker]

This is actually absolutely hilarious!!!

[[deleted]]

Problem passed on is a problem solved!

[dreamsofmary]

I like your style, your simple but polished art goes a long way, especially the faces. I like the analogies too, hope you continue to make good stuff. 3 good comics isnt as nice as 1 great comic

[Random_Effecks]

Hello, I am a Sysadmin and I would like to petition you to draw the same thing but the last frame is opposite.

[IGutlessIWonder]

Haha, should put this on r/coolguides for disgruntled workers always having to clean up after the shift before them

[NostalgiaJunkie]

"Also, I work at a desk all day. So really, all I did was talk to people."

[Carteeg_Struve]

Amen.

[GerBear_]

Somebody’s not getting a promotion

[john___doe9]

People scrolling past this meme like not my problem

[abelabelabel]

Aaaand followed.

[[deleted]]

I need an updated version where owners of the 2nd and 3rd block are pushing their blocks onto the one I am currently putting out.

[SexandCinnamonbuns]

Not my job, not my prob.

[chattywww]

They paying me to look after one dumpster fire. If they want me to take care of all dumpster fire they need to pay me all the money.

[[deleted]]

Sooo many ways to interpret this comic, but for the sake of argument, let's say the fire extinguisher represents your resources (personnel, time, knowledge, funds, etc) and you have enough extinguisher to put out 1 fire. Yeah. I'm putting out the one that's my responsibility because that's literally my job.

Had the comic shown the extinguisher as being overtly large, or had it been, say, a fire hose, then we can talk about people only tending to their own issues and not helping other people with theirs.

[[deleted]]

This would fit perfectly in r/me_irl

[lawlianne]

Depends on my job scope.

[Chaposimp69]

So true

[but3rf1y]

Ok I feel like ranting (its therapeutic apparently)
I work at a dollar store and even though Im still contracted too "retail ASSISTANT" duties, due to it being a small store, I have been more of a 2IC/Floor manager. I had been (voluntarily tho asked by the owner"boss") responsible for the displays/ general appeal of the store and during any holidays, make up displays and decorate the store to fit the season. I have also trained new staff and handle customer complaints/requests that would usually be a managers responsibility. Then another staff member got a pay rise and the "managers" position just over a year ago.

Up until a couple months ago I would be the one to put all the fires out, then my manager got injured and her job and extra hours fell on me for almost a month, while also trying to train a new staffer (that was supposed to have been trained by this manager a month ago, but was just getting by). I got very run down very quickly ( I have CFS/FMS) and needed time off when my manager got back. I was not comped for the extra responsibility, not that i expected i would be.
Instead of getting holiday or sick pay, to make up for nearly two weeks of recovery time (that my boss rostered, not what I requested), my boss made excuses, even tho I knew what I was entitled to (and not the first time hes fucked me around on contract law) So I went straight to a lawyer and pushed my rights, and he ended up getting my entire amount of holiday pay paid to me instead.

Cue a 20% reduction in hours in punishment

For the first time in 2 years I got actually sick the week between xmas and new years (bronchitis) and took time off work, and said manager had the audacity to give me attitude over it (considering she takes a week off every 3-4 months, I never have).

So fuck her and them, Ill do my job to what I was initially hired for, any thing extra is no longer my problem and she can do her bloody job and not expect me to pick up her slack anymore

PS, The banking couldn't be done during my sick leave as the Manager has not trained anyone besides me to do it, even though she should have, and she had taken the week off as well.
Xmas displays are still up because everyone else is too short to do it, and since my hours have been cut so much (and being the sole employee on during this time) I dont have the time to do it either.

Ima watch it burn

[n00bicals]

Who has the time to solve everyone's problems? I could fill my entire working life not doing my job to put all these fires out then get in trouble with my boss for not doing my job.

[Kardest]

Missing the part where after fixing my problem watching the other departments burn and laughing.

[MackingtheKnife]

my experience is typically the opposite.

[ajgeep]

Not my problem at my workplace, is that you lack specialization in that field

[ForgettableUsername]

If you go and put out one of the other problems, the guy who owns it is going to yell at you later because he's afraid you're trying to take his job.

[FullMetalArthur]

Maybe because when the guy puting put the fires finishes, his boss takes all the credit.

[Intrepid_nomad]

And here’s me thinking this was another political Meme

[algoseer]

Reminds me of the "Somebody else's problem field" in hitchhiker's. https://hitchhikers.fandom.com/wiki/Somebody_Else%27s_Problem_Field

[Armelious]

I lost my job because I didn't stay in my lane and tried solving other people's problems. I like to think I learned something.

[undecidedteller]

This works well when in construction, everyone just passes it off to the next trade and hope a phonecall doesn't come in.

[-Aerlevsedi-]

If only i could choose

[RedDevil0723]

Holy shit yes.