I exist in the UPS world and accept that there are things I cannot change. I go to work because it is my choice, and I do my job to the best of my abilities because it makes ME feel good. I have a strong sense of pride in my work and it shows.
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I guess what I am trying to say is the more we as part timers get upset about such as management walking around basically saying how bad we suck, the more power we give them. No one wants a service failure period but we as preloaders can't come in to work day after day with a storm cloud hanging over our heads.
I couldn't have said it better myself! Nice post!
I think one of the reasons that turnover is and will continue to be so high (besides a low starting wage, changes to wait for benefits, etc.) is that new hires are looking for approval from management and don't get it. We all have been the new guy at one time or another and I think most people can relate to this. It's difficult to come to work day after day and feel like you did a horrible job because your supervisor tells you that you did this, this, and that wrong. (maybe you'll get a "good job" compliment for something else if you're lucky!)
Especially with a lack of training, it's difficult for a new employee. Speaking from the perspective of a preloader, there are many things that I wish I had been told when I first started that would have helped me do my job better and given me more pride in my work. I had no idea that supervisors couldn't work and I was quite frankly pissed that they would stand around when I was getting slammed with packages and tell me to work faster and not stack out. I also did not fully understand how to load things on the floor if they didn't fit on the shelves. I thought I had to get everything on the shelves or else!
As time went on, I learned so many things from my fellow preloaders and my drivers. If I had better training and learned right off the bat how I could make my job a little easier and less stressful, I would have been so happy. Believe me, I thought of quitting many, many times in my first 30 days. I'm so glad that I didn't because I never knew that I would improve so much and feel good about my job.
I guess my point is that IMO we should look out for the new guys (I know that many of us already do and I think it's great!). From my experience, management doesn't do enough to encourage new hires to stay. All it might take is a coworker saying "hey man, don't worry about that misload yesterday - it happens to us all and once you've been here a while, you won't even need to think about which car you're in anymore".
Or drivers, when you have a new preloader (I know it can be aggravating to have a new person loading), keep in mind that they receive little training. My drivers have helped me out so much by telling me about their preferences (ex: all pieces for 1 stop together or some on floor and some on shelf). Now I don't have to worry about if something will make my driver's job easier or harder because I already know.
On a final note, I just want to share my own view on my job. I used to think that I should work so that my supervisor would be happy because I wasn't stacking out or in need of help. Now I don't care if I get a little behind - I'll catch up later. Too bad if I get off the clock 2 minutes later than what you planned for. If I can give my drivers a quality load that will prevent them from searching for missing packages or delivering misloads then I'm happy. I could not care less what management thinks of me. As far as I'm concerned, yes I work for the company, but I like to think that I work for my drivers. They are the ones directly impacted by my work and that's why I care. That's why I stay, because I know that they appreciate my work.
New hires don't usually see this kind of appreciation, hopefully more will understand that they are wanted at UPS, not just needed, and that they do matter. Maybe turnover won't be as high then.