Doing more than electrical work

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stickboy1375 said:
would not expect any other answer from you Bob. Your like a robot.
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That would be the ideal employee.....:D

Me I am not ideal, I stink at getting paper work in on time, but when the boss gets a call for some oddball work I am usually the guy he calls to "Make it go away". I look it as interesting instead of installing another duplex receptacle.
 
I always joke at work how we are not only electricians but also plumbers, HVAC and such.

My boss will bid jobs that have us installing thermostats or cutting in dryer vents. The way my boss looks at it,, "if it's money in the books then we will do it"
 
iwire said:
That would be the ideal employee.....:D

Me I am not ideal, I stink at getting paper work in on time, but when the boss gets a call for some oddball work I am usually the guy he calls to "Make it go away". I look it as interesting instead of installing another duplex receptacle.
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Bob. you always tend to end up making sense of what I should be thinking instead of what I am thinking.
 
I did a service call for a customer that took all of 5 minutes-- she wanted me to rake her leaves for the next 55 minutes. I just laughed--so did she but she was wishful thinking.
 
iwire said:
That would be the ideal employee.....:D

Me I am not ideal, I stink at getting paper work in on time, but when the boss gets a call for some oddball work I am usually the guy he calls to "Make it go away". I look it as interesting instead of installing another duplex receptacle.
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nicely said. I worked for a guy once that one day anointed me"the core drill guy" and where ever there needed holes to be drilled with this big rig, I was the guy. I didnt like it but I got very good with the Hilti dd130. Which came in usefull recently, but thats another story.
and its nice to break up the monotany once in a while and learn something new.
 
stickboy1375 said:
:D i'm not... just thowing my thoughts out thats all. I never wanted to be right, I was just curios what the census thought, thats all...
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Back in 83' I asked a union electrician "why he was digging a hole when the company had a laborer" his reply was simple and to the point, "I'll do what ever they want me to do for what they pay me", His name is Doug and he has never been out of work no matter how slow the hall was at the time.
You could just remember "it beats digging holes that are related to the job" :D
Work smart not hard.
 
Dennis Alwon said:
Robots are very logical...:D
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Now your making me blow my top.:wink:

pic07tin-man.jpg
 
Would this be a bad time to admit that I enjoy doing this stuff. And I'd be happy to be doing this for the same pay I would be getting doing electrical work. It has to be better than crawling around in an attic when its a hundred degrees wading through ancient insulation that's full of dust. Or digging a trench in the mud. Maybe I just look at it different
 
I really see Stickyboys point here. I am competent in electrical installs.

I love what I do. I dedicate a lot of time and expense on my education.

If I'm not on this forum making a fool of myself, My nose is in a book,

or I'm watching a electrical DVD. If my boss wanted me to build a wall

or patch drywall. I would have a big problem with that. I don't know how

to do it properly. I feel like a hack. I can build a wall,fix plumbing,etc.

I just don't feel that I'm educated or competent enough to charge for it.

I think that's what seperates me from a "Handyman." Let's talk about skills

that you've learned to do ,that you don't feel your comensated for.

I spent two years going to school learning CAD at night after work.

If asked, I can draw a set of plans on CAD and it will look

professional. It will be correct per the NEC and it will be a good design

from all of my education and experience. Should I be paid a installers

wage for that skill and dedication to this trade? To most, a CAD drawing

looks like Drag-and- drop. When a SKILLED CAD person demonstrates it.

Just like a Skilled Electrician can trouble shoot a problem quickly and

seems, like little effort. Your not born with skill ,you have to dedicate

time and effort to it. That time and effort needs to be compensated for,

if it's valuable to someone. So if you have a skill that is'nt necessarily

your field of work, and asked to perform that skill ,and someone else

makes a proffit from your knowledge. You should be compensated for your

time in learning it. Doctors do, Lawyers do, why can't I?

The time I've spent on this trade I would be a Brain Surgeon by now.

But, nope, I'm here with you guys, trying to save peoples lives and property

from fire and electrocution. That's just the way it is. Grounds should be up

by the way.:D
 
Karl H said:
If my boss wanted me to build a wall

or patch drywall. I would have a big problem with that. I don't know how

to do it properly. I feel like a hack. I can build a wall,fix plumbing,etc.

I just don't feel that I'm educated or competent enough to charge for it.
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I am often asked to do tasks that I am not specifically trained in, I have been introduced as an expert or so many things I can not begin to remember them all. Metering, video security, the code, sound systems, welding, fabricating, security systems, rigging, cement work and on and on. If the company sends me to do something beyond my comfort zone I let them know that. If they still want me to do it because they need it done I will do my best. My reputation is not at risk, the companies is and if they feel the need to risk it then I assume there are reasons for that. :smile:

I love the range of projects I am given and the majority of the time the customer is left very satisfied with the results.:smile:
 
iwire said:
I am often asked to do tasks that I am not specifically trained in, I have been introduced as an expert or so many things I can not begin to remember them all. Metering, video security, the code, sound systems, welding, fabricating, security systems, rigging, cement work and on and on. If the company sends me to do something beyond my comfort zone I let them know that. If they still want me to do it because they need it done I will do my best. My reputation is not at risk, the companies is and if they feel the need to risk it then I assume there are reasons for that. :smile:

I love the range of projects I am given and the majority of the time the customer is left very satisfied with the results.:smile:
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I wonder how you and I would,"Toe-up" on a job site. Everything I do

puts my reputation on the line. If I feel I don't have the proper training

to preform a task I will be humble and say, I will do the best I can ,I have

no training on how to do this task properly. Since I have OCD I will stress

until I'm sure it's done right. :D
 
480sparky said:
Are you complaining about being underpaid or overpaid?
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I wondered the same. Around here you would get a pay decrease for what you're talking about. I've done many things that are not electrical related, but I got paid for them by my employer. I figure that if they want to pay me my wage to run a broom, or whatever, than far be it from me to tell them no and sit at home. I'll make coffee and pickup doughnuts if they want me too. Just keep signing the paychecks. :cool:
 
Karl H said:
Everything I do

puts my reputation on the line.
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I don't worry about, yet my reputation with my employeers has always been good.


If I feel I don't have the proper training

to preform a task I will be humble and say, I will do the best I can ,I have

no training on how to do this task properly.
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Same here and I don't mind researching how to do the tasks.

Since I have OCD I will stress

until I'm sure it's done right. :D
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Not much at work cause me stress unless I feel I am wasting money or holding up money by not being complete.
 
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