I'll NEVER go thru a head hunter again!!

Date 10-10-2008 22:35

Okay Folks here's the story.
I went to work at a Co. in eldridge, Iowa. I had responded to a head hunter's add for "Experienced Mig Welder Wanted". I went and interviewed with the Co.
I was told that i would be trained to run their "Robotic Welders", and to perform GMAW in multiple positions. I weld tested for them for 2 days and was certified prior to starting the job.

I go in to work the first night and the machines weren't even robotic. I of course was not shown the "robotic welders" prior to starting. They were simple pre-1980's type PLC controls. No programming required! Each macine did one function and one only. Just place parts into clamps, flip clamp lock switch and press start button. So, I was not a Weldor Nor was I a Robotic welder operator. I was to be a machine tender!!! Now that's not all....I had to remove these VERY HOT parts from the machine using a standard gardening type leather (single layer) leather palm (supplied by the Co. at their tool crib). After 2 hrs of tending this hunk of junk, My right hand was badly blistering. This was because they wanted the parts to be pneumatically peened to remove the silica (glass) from the boss weld. Then the part needed to have the big hole, (were the "robot" was supposed to make the tie-in and fill the crater), Filled and then re-peened. All the while trying to keep up with this machine...Good 'Ol Shmuck Jeff Just trying to stay in the Trade and please the BossMan!! Thus, the repeated handling of these hot parts not only burned my hands, but by the end of the shift the gloves literally fell apart at the seams because the heat had melted the stitching. That's just rediculous! Oh, the real biggie is that I brought in my welding gear and the lead Guy says, "oh you won't need a welding hood around here it'll just get in the way of production if you have to stop and put it on and take it off". I tell him that if any arcs are being struck and since this is the welding dept., I would expect that a hood would be a requirement!
Well, while i was being careful to remove all silica, the lead guy comes over and picks up a mig gun and...he hollers out..."Look here" and i turn to see what he wants....ZAAAP! well, by then all I could see was this big plack spot in my right eye. SOB flashed me pretty good! Right!, No Hood needed here!!!!
He was trying to show me (without benefit of a Hood) how to cover the silica with a weld and not remove it! this is a practice I don't agree with.
Okay so the next morning after I lay down for some sleep...I wake up and can't open my right eye. I pry it open and apply salve to it and then use it and eye drops for the next three days. I am still a bit blury in the one eye.
To sum it all up, Hand protection not considered to be very important...welding Hood just gets in the way of production, so eye protection not very important to them either, but Good 'Ol Jeff better keep up and make'em happy! Nope not anymore!
Oh, the real kicker is that when i called in to tell the plant manager what had happened and that i would not be in that night....He calls the "HEAD HUNTER", and they call me to inform me that they were filing a workman's comp claim on the matter!!!!! I say Hell No you are Not. So later the next day i get a call from and Attorney's Office about my Workman's Comp Claim! I complrtrly blew up on those folks and then hung up on them, and called the HEAD HUNTER and told them to take their job and shove it as far up their *SS as they can possibly get it! I told them they employed me with the understanding that I was a Weldor and not some hack that doesn't know the difference! Just a bit more Folks....

I figure the whole thing to be a done deal by Wednesday, but NO...Head Hunter calls me and starts making accusations about how i wilfully ignored safety protocols, and how all i did all night at work was rant about how i was going somewhere else to get a job and that i hadn't followed the call-in process...ect,ect. So i ask where this information was coming from. She told me that the lead guy had disclosed this info to the plant manager and they felt it was important enough to warrant the cancelation of the contract. It took them 3 days to get their lie in order, and all the stuff was from the hack of a lead guy who admitted to me that he really can't weld, because he only took a 6 week course in welding 3 yrs ago so he could get a job at this place.

well it's been another lesson learned. And I've now got my shingle hung out again and hoping for a gig in Clinton, Iowa. What a Roller Coaster i seem to be riding!!!
Dinner is on the table, Later Folks.
Jeffrey

By aevald

Date 10-11-2008 01:22

Hello Jeffrey, you're definitely getting that working education early, or at least on the front end. I know it's not funny but you're gonna have to try to laugh about it. I can see where it could be just a bit discouraging when you're working on breaking into a new career and you keep on getting what many would consider the downside of things. Just always remember that old saying: "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" and you could add, wiser too. One of these days as you look back over your career you will certainly be able to laugh and joke about some of the trials and tribulations that you've been through. I know that you WILL win out in the end and you WILL find a spot for yourself that will be both fulfilling and challenging and keep you wanting to experience more. So hang in there buddy, probably when you least expect it there will be an employer out there who will hire you and be saying where has Jeffrey been for the last 20 years. Best regards, Allan

By Jeffrey Grady (***)

Date 10-11-2008 01:59

Thanks Allan...Always good to hear from You.
I've not really gotten all that hung up over it, and yes, I really can laugh at it already. All that weld testing and it turns out there would be no welding done for job purposes. That just makes perfect sense around here, as everyone is fed from the same corporate plate...J. Deere! I just took up a little extra space in writing my experience down for Folks to see. I hope all is well for You.
I will be up and running with a new gig in no time. The school of hard knocks doesn't scare me off.
Respectfully, Jeffrey

By yorkiepap (***)

Date 10-11-2008 03:38

Hey Jeff,
I can appreciate your attempt to find, hopefully, a sound working environment to incorporate your welding skills and the desire to want to learn the companys' operation and provide a good work ethic to that company. There are many "hack" operations out there that are just simply looking for "bodies" to fill non-essential positions. Way back in my weaning years, a really great gent who was a welding guru to me, enlightened me to these tactics to take advantage of the youngsters who were itching to get their feet wet. His sound advice to me was to take the steps that will separate the hack jobs from the good working openings that are available with the following suggestions to always keep in memory:
1.) Stay away from the hiring agencies(headhunters).... you can try your local state employment agency or local college career links.
2.) Request a job description that includes all the parameters of the position; ie. shift:day/eve./night/ rotating.
3.) What is the pre-hire time of "temp" position prior to full-time employment?
4.) What are the pay increments for progression?
5.) Ask for a tour of the facility and job position environment.
6.) If you get the intro tour, look carefully at the entire environ and the employees there..... listen to your surroundings....they will be quite revealing. A grungy, dirty, sloppy environ will reveal a companys' integrity regarding an employees physical well-being.
7.) Request a written outline of job function, responsibilities, required work gear, and safety equipment furnished by the company.
8.) Do not hesitate to ask any question that comes to your mind regarding any misconception or misrepresentation of the position.
9.) Be candid...yet brief discussing your personal life.
10.) Try to provide a sound reasoning why you would be a benefit to the company.
11.) Don't hesitate to reject the position...... weldors are in demand...... you will find good work & a satisfying career. Don't settle for anything less.
12.) NEVER stop looking.... even if you are employed. Always keep looking for the better job, pay, incentives, and the ability to learn new skills.

And, so, from an 'ol timer, I pass on some of my wisdom to you and hope you will log it in memory.

Your words indicate a strong work ethic, positive attitude, and most importantly, a hunger to succeed. YES youngster.... you will succeed. Good luck & keep us posted on your adventures...... Denny

By Jeffrey Grady (***)

Date 10-11-2008 04:09

Denny,
Very sage advice. I will keep it in mind and I will keep everone here posted as to my progress with regard to employment. I have to wait until Dec. 12th to find out about my self nomination thru CPOL concerning welding for The U.S. Army at the Rock Island Arsenal. I also have a waiting period before my next interview with John Deere in Moline, IL. So, I always have a next step in my back pocket.
Jeffrey

By sbcmweb (****)

Date 10-12-2008 12:56

Welcome to the world of production welding. :-)

Man, I'm sorry to hear you keep getting the bad breaks. I know you just want to do a good job & feel you're doing something you took time & desire to learn. I truly admire your grit, Jeffrey! The best part about something like this, is that the obvious becomes clear right away, everywhere you have been so far. Think of a lot of guys (& gals) that end up spending half their lives in a hole like that because they do not have the self esteem & or respect to demand better.

I always try to make good 'ol lemonade outta the lemons I get. I can't say it's always works though! :-) Like I said, the best thing to happen is that you QUICKLY discovered what this operation was all about. Most places using headhunter agencies usually do not have very much to offer a perspective employee, so they use an agency to get them in using the dragnet method. At least around here, that's the case.

Hang in there Jeffrey. You'll get something good. The ones that hold out & demand the most from themselves always do. Bye! S.W.

By OBrien

Date 10-13-2008 00:11

Hey man I feel your pain. The only black mark I got on my record is from this one company I worked for for a total 16 days. I got fired because they hired me on as a pipe welder at $20 hr. I worked for a week at a place that was just finishing installing a small boiler. There was 4 of us working there and all there was to do was a handfull of socket welds and threaded pipe. 1 maybe 2 guys would of been more than enough because it was way ahead of schedule and it was a cluster. So I called up the boss and said that I thought I would be better for the company if I could get on a different job due to the lack of work for me to do.

I went to the shop monday morning and he pulled me aside and said that due to my lack of experience that he could only pay me $19 an hour take it or leave it. Being just outta knee surgery I couldn't say no. They sent me to a tank bottom repair. If I had to imagine what hell was like I would say it might be something like a #6 oil tank. It was 95 in the shade and even hotter in the tank. Working 10 hour days wearing a resperator. The only breaks you get is lunch and unless you gotta go to the portta potty. I found out that I could not keep up with the other guys so I asked how they did it. Come to find out they were blowing lines of coke before work. I finished out the job got back to the shop and said that I won't work with a hole crew of coke heads.

The boss told me that my pipewelds were not good enough and that if I can't deal with that I shouldn't bother coming back. I am normally mild mannered and keep my comments to myself but something came out and I told the boss to take the job and shove it up his coke snorting a$$ and walked out. Now I have alot of good references and only one. It happens sooner or later but there is alot of good jobs out there and a few bad.

By Jeffrey Grady (***)

Date 10-13-2008 17:21

OBrien,
Man I won't even think about welding with a crew of dope heads. You never know what's gonna happen to you when they are so "blown out" that they can't use sound judgement. It's always the sober man who ends up getting Hurt by the careless Junk monkeys, or in your case...told to take a hike because You don't indulge in that sort of activity, (at least not while on the Job).
As for me ...i don't care what another man does on his own time, but if he's working next to, or around me...he better have his head screwed on straight. Cuz if i get injured by a person who's "flying high" on the job...there will be Repercussions and consequences! Now if it's done because the people around me are Just simply uneducated about welding job safety...I walk without causing a big stink over it.
In my case it was just a bad job and not what i was hired to do. I will get on with a good company at some point, but it may mean I will have to move to another locality. It's all good...I'm a big boy and i can handle adversity with Integrity.
Jeffrey

By OBrien

Date 10-13-2008 21:41

I hear you man I don't care what people do on their own time but work when powertools are being used or something is being raised above my head (which is daily) I wan't them to be cohearent at least. I have had fitters in the past that were not worth a pile of beans sober but a couple hits of a joint and everything seemed to come together. I don't approve of it but 99% of the time it happens and I can deal with someone smoking a little pot.

As for not doing the job you were hired for it sucks. The army gave me enough of that I don't need it in my civilian life. There is tons of jobs out there. Currently I am working for tradesmen international and they have me working for 2$ an hour less than the foreman. Can't really complain so far.

By Jeffrey Grady (***)

Date 10-14-2008 03:53

OBrien,
I have Tradesmen International in my favorites list. thanks for bringing that up...i had forgotten about them. I'll look into what they may have going on in the Midwest.
Jeffrey