My loader said "see ya' tomorrow!" to a PT sup the other day. The sup replied "see you tomorrow - unless I get fired!" and he was being serious! If you just step back a minute and look at what UPS has become, it takes your breath away. To all managers out there - is morale important or did it go out the window along with your raises?
Absolutely not! The proof is on the walls of every center in the company. Our negatives are highlighted and posted and not the positives. I am addressed by management in terms or 'errors made' as if I am a box score after a ball game. We are route numbers and employee numbers posted on a master board in the on-roads office. A magnet to be conveniently slid over under vacation/sick/jury duty etc. It has all the pleasantries of a kick in the groin.
Do I want a hug and a cookie at work? Hell no. Since I don't give them out I don't expect them in return. And, to be fair, the guy who handles our dispatch gets dumped on pretty good by just about everyone so his morale sucks as well. (yeah, yeah, he chose to go into mgmt.)
But as fas as UPS being an enjoyable place to work? As in the actual facility? No. No way. I can't think of one driver. Not even one who has more than 15 years in who would brag or boast about being employed here. My insurance benefits, pension, 6 weeks vacation, are all separate from my reasons for not having any morale. It's all about how we are treated. Can I quit? Of course, but foolish to do so in this economy. But since respect has to earned (I just paused for about a minute) I can't think of more than a handful of people I have worked for that I have any respect for. All have been ships sailing in and out of the center.
I need a beer....