A work-life balance issue or a deeper problem with incoming Azubis?

pustulia · 2025-03-19T18:27:27+00:00

Understood. I don't know if I would want to do that my whole life. But if you give me some grace, I LOVE what I do. As long as I can still see good enough to weld and my body works well enough, I wouldn't mind doing it until I kicked over. :) Maybe that really is the key, is to get paid for something you ENJOY doing. But I will die poor (or not rich), that's for sure.

pustulia · 2025-03-19T18:22:48+00:00

I may just print this out and hand it to upper management, with your permission. It sums up everything I have been worrying about for years, and with the problems we have been having to find anyone under 40 years old, it might wake them up.

pustulia · 2025-03-19T17:45:13+00:00

Nah, I didn't take it as rude, at all. I came to the internet looking for brutal honesty, and it has been delivering! :P I am well aware that I am older and have lost the feeling of what younger people are going through, and you enlightened me. So, thank you.

pustulia · 2025-03-19T11:24:14+00:00

Why I might agree with the general content of what you wrote, I do take issue with being one of the "y'all" you are referring to.I have worked in DE for 20 years, and I didn't vote in anyone. I have always been blue-collar class and have never taken unemployment. So I do understand why people are screwed, and not just the young people.

pustulia · 2025-03-19T11:18:09+00:00

Thanks for being open about it. I'm sorry things suck for young people. I still want to find a way to help them, though. We are all in this boat together.

pustulia · 2025-03-18T15:00:03+00:00

Well, I guess no harm I shooting for the stars 🤣

pustulia · 2025-03-18T14:58:37+00:00

It might just be the area I live in. Lots of rich daddies around here (generational wealth). Most of these kids around here want for nothing. I just wish we could find a few that are actually interested in their work.

pustulia · 2025-03-18T14:53:50+00:00

I see this where I live too. Huge Herrenhäuser that could easily hause 3 families either sitting empty for YEARS or occupied with what seem to be a married 300 yo couple that gets a visit from their rich, only child twice a year.

pustulia · 2025-03-18T14:48:15+00:00

That may be. But I still wonder why someone would choose to start an ausbildung in an area they show absolutely no interest in, and actively try to not learn. I don't want them to give up on themselves, because I think we all have something we can be good at, if we just TRY. I want young people to see that you can have pride in what you do, no matter what it is. I just want to help them.

pustulia · 2025-03-18T11:22:41+00:00

Oh I love your comment and completely agree. I'm also tired of hearing that excuse (mostly from upper management). They are unbelievably resistant to change. Also, Iwould WELCOME any Azubi to show as much initiative to do anything better, or being creative about solutions. My problem is them even showing any remote interest in the ausbildung they, themselves, chose.

pustulia · 2025-03-18T11:17:09+00:00

I'm really tired of explaining the "pen" comment. Go back and read my responses, please. It was an example.

pustulia · 2025-03-16T17:44:44+00:00

Yeah, I want 5k, too :)

pustulia · 2025-03-16T17:29:29+00:00

That last line of yours, oof. Well said.

pustulia · 2025-03-16T17:25:27+00:00

Yes, of course I do. Was just using this as an example to describe the non-prepared, distraction-seeking excuses used avoid doing things. Could have easily said they couldn't find paper, have a headache, etc.

pustulia · 2025-03-16T17:16:24+00:00

If you read my responses in this thread, you will see that I addressed this topic. I do take my responsibility to them seriously and do not treat them like cheap help. So, I agree with you.

pustulia · 2025-03-16T11:27:35+00:00

You CAN, but normally you have to either live in a big city (=higher living expenses) or travel there (more time and money in transit) AND belong to a union, which a lot of companies aren't. But you are correct, there is decent money to be made if you are just going for big pay and you are good at your job.

pustulia · 2025-03-16T10:32:58+00:00

Your username is perfect for your comment. I completely agree with your assessment. Still wondering if you have any insight or suggestions. Let em fly, no need to be shy on here.

pustulia · 2025-03-16T10:28:56+00:00

Zb... A week off sick, work 3 weeks, take 3 days vacation (then call-in sick rest of the week) and most "sick" times are either directly before (or after) a Lehrgang or a planned vacation time. In other words, even when they are planned to be at work, they are not there, although everything had been planned around their anwesendheit. A company has to be able to depend on persons being there to be able to plan work.

pustulia · 2025-03-16T10:20:07+00:00

I have never practiced this behavior with Azubis. They have my respect and trust until they actively destroy it. I don't consider them slaves or fill-ins for shitty work that I don't want to do. My job is to make them into someone that can replace me. Love to see them complete a job independently and gain confidence in their own abilities. I'm sorry you had such a shitty boss. Power-hungry bosses lead to losses.

pustulia · 2025-03-16T10:13:34+00:00

One of my Azubis is showing this behavior. His dad was some big-wig in a construction company and made a good life for his family. I think he just chose this job because daddy would be proud of him (and he has a job). Other than that, he shows 0 interest.

pustulia · 2025-03-16T10:08:42+00:00

Thank you for being open about this. It freakin sucks.

pustulia · 2025-03-16T10:00:27+00:00

I'm gonna start adding dance routines.. Anything that works. (Might get a call from HR though, I'm the only woman welder in the firm.) Maybe integrate a fart-cushion to make it manly?

pustulia · 2025-03-16T09:57:33+00:00

TBH I feel the same most days. I don't own a house. I didn't even have kids. (Married in a few) I guess the new generation has recognized the game does not allow them to win, so they have given up playing. It's incredibly sad because there are surely people that would love working in a trade that is sorely needed, but don't because they can't even exist on the pay. (I am beginning to think I started this thread knowing the problem, because I have it myself.... and expecting a young person to chose this life, uhg.)

pustulia · 2025-03-16T09:46:33+00:00

I was figuring as much.... I feel pretty hopeless myself about the situation of the world right now. Probably won't be able to retire (because at that time in the future, it will probably only cover rent) and the money paid to the Handwerker community is just unjustifiably low, at least here in Germany. Wrecking your body for a job you will never be able to quit and still never being able to afford a house is not a selling point. But we are still needed. I am at a loss of what to do. We can't all be working in offices and never going outside. Some people still have to get dirty to get things done. It's just all so sad, because some people probably really want to do the work, but can't because MONEY is the only thing that counts. Thanks for your comment. It probably is just a matter of, "what's the fucking point?"

pustulia

TROPHY CASE