New job but not doing (yet) what you were brought into do

[muffinmenace]

My current employer has a system of bringing in new employees (Marketing, Data Entry, Graphic Design etc) and putting them to work in other parts of the Factory for a short period of time.

For example they will work on the factory floor with turning, milling, part assembly, inspection and shot blasting(!). The companys aim is to introduce them to other parts of the business to help them help the company.

The company doesn't intend to keep them there permanently (usually around 1-1.5 months) but they only find out about this after they have signed a contract and given notice to their old employer.

What would the implications be for the employee/employer if they refused to adhere to this request (there's nothing in the contract about this requirement).

I take it that it would be a 'lump it' scenario as you're in a bad place for employee rights (as you're a new starter). It just seems unreasonable that it's done after you sign up and leave your old place.

[MysteryLemon]

A place I used to work in did this.

I was taken on to work in the studio, prepping artwork for print and ended up out on the factory floor for the first 3 weeks, learning engraving and using cnc machines.

I thoroughly enjoyed it and got to know people in the factory so when I came out to chat with the lithographers about problems with prints etc, I knew people and they didn't just see me as some tt from the studio, which incidentally, they thought of everyone else in there who hadn't done the short placement in the factory. To be fair to them, most of the others we're tts too.

I suppose the only thing that can be done would be to question it with the manager. They're still getting paid so who cares? It's not like they've taken people on and given them a totally different job to what was advertised. Think of it as a training period. As long as they end up in the job they were advertised, whats the issue? All I can suggest is that they try and enjoy it and they will probably get something out of it. It's nice to learn new skills you know.

Edited by MysteryLemon on Tuesday 27th August 16:52

[davepoth]

I wish companies would do this more often for office workers. Colleagues not being able to visualise what's being talked about because they've no experience at all of the work is difficult.

[Mr E]

Dyson do this, and its always struck me as a good idea.

My friend is a pretty senior financial bod, but still uses the vacuum cleaner that she built on the line.

[Sir Fergie]

davepoth said:

I wish companies would do this more often for office workers. Colleagues not being able to visualise what's being talked about because they've no experience at all of the work is difficult.

Indeed - and it would help prevent poor decisions being made that affect another dept - by someone in an office with no knowledge of what goes on or is done in that other dept.

In fairness though - there are clued up office based staff - management and non management - who are sharp and on the ball - and can figure out what they need to know in order to make good decisions.

Not enough of them around though imo - in saying that mind you - I did work under a great QC (Quality Control) manager - who walked around the factory seeing what went on every day - not just doing his testing and his paperwork - but actually seeing everything that went on.

Back to the OP - if you get into the job you were originally hired to do swiftly - then its not such a hassle - but what really gets me cross - is where your persistently pulled off the job your supposed to do to fill in for staff - or because another dept is short staffed all the time.

Or if a new employee has a completely different vision of what the role is compared to the employer - im talking here about situations where the new staff member is top notch at what they do - lets say marketing manager - but what a marketing manager role should be is different to how the employer actually sees it.

Happens quite a bit I think - and then theres the scenario where a manager is actually counted in as part of the normal staff on the shop floor. So the manager has to do a normal floor workers job and manage as well.

Hope it all goes well anyhow OP

[davepoth]

Mr E said:

Dyson do this, and its always struck me as a good idea.

My friend is a pretty senior financial bod, but still uses the vacuum cleaner that she built on the line.

It's great. I worked in a papermill once, where we made some fairly specialised paper. That meant the sheets were nearly a metre square. I got a phone call from the financial controller once.

"Your weights are all wrong on your invoice."

"Why's that?"

"I just weighed this ream of copier paper and it was about one quarter of the weight of the reams on your invoice."

"..."

The paper machine was roughly 75 yards from his office, and when they had the roller door open he could actually see it from his desk. That sort of stuff really annoyed me.

[The Beaver King]

We do the same thing at our place.

Everybody, from the C.A.D. team to Estimators all do a week or so down in the factory. As somebody above has said, it gives you some actual practical experience in what you are drawing/pricing/discussing, it helps bridge the gap between the office and factory people and it means we can throw a few people downstairs if we get really short handed.

Personally I don't see the issue.

[bigandclever]

I think a bit of clarification is required: if it's the case that a new-starter comes in, does a bit of their job and then after a while goes on secondment to other bits of the business to get a wider picture, then I think it's a good thing. But if it's the case that from Day 1 when you think you're there to be an accountant and they stick you for a few weeks serving chips in the canteen, then that's not on.