Comments on: How to Keep your Job

By: CADDManager

CADDManager — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 14:37:15 +0000

Bill,

Good point. Many firms and organizations “cannot” allow people to work a bit longer on things. State and Federal labor laws in the US can be very strict. If you are looking to impress, maybe the “in early, stay late” method may not be one that is open to you.

By: Bill

Bill — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 21:40:12 +0000

Federal regulations prevent employers from allowing employees to come in early and stay late. If you look the other way, the employee can say “my boss knew I worked extra time and never said anything” on the stand. How about arrive and depart on time – or, better yet, refinance your home, invest in your business (with all the headaches), and be your own boss!

By: Neil Kaiser

Neil Kaiser — Tue, 06 May 2008 01:08:55 +0000

Hi All,
Let’s get a bit real here. No one wants to work for nothing nor do any of us want to loose our job’s because we don’t give our employers what they want. I find that I will do that little bit extra and put some of my time in not because my boss is forcing me but because my efforts actually impact every CADD user in our firm and I have some personal pride in what I do. And in any case anyone with a view to the future will be advancing them selves to be above average. In fact to be a CAD Manager or IT support in an AEC firm we’re automatically ‘above average’.
As to the idea of outsourcing I would suggest the following. AEC firms do not outsource strategic process activities. As the production leaders in our firms we should be developing our strategic skills so that we don’t even fall into the same bracket as a general CADD user. The point about making sure staff know what you do is a good one. I’d only add that we should also make sure the people who actually make the decisions above our immediate superiors also need to know.

In any case, there are not as many of us as our employers would have us think and good, up to date skills are always in demand.

By: Bruce fateyo

Bruce fateyo — Sun, 04 May 2008 08:39:29 +0000

Hi all,

I working for a USA engineering company in Hong Kong(Macau).
I would like to tell you some information in China.

To employ a draftsman working well in autocad. Only need about $375 us dollar per month. and all their software can use copy version. and they are growing very very fast.

Many company already create remote office in china for CAD drafting. or some people will make a CAD service company in China.

So……we are lossing our job……. I am quite lucky, when my boss try to laidoff me. i can help them make a remote office in china to save myself.

So guys try do something now.

By: CAD monkey

CAD monkey — Thu, 01 May 2008 16:29:04 +0000

I have always worked by these rules. My wife knows that I’m a work-ahaulic, no kids yet. Recently, I have been asked to help justify my position until the executive VP that I have worked for directly over the past several years stepped in and went directly to the CEO on my behalf. Up until that point I was thinking, “I should just leave and let them get what they deserve for not paying attention”. It’s kind of like falling asleep at the wheel and not waking until you hit a tree or something. Sometimes there is nothing more that anyone can do. Fortunately, they woke up in time. Sure thaey could find another CAD monkey, but that is by far not all that I do, and much of what I do has never been written down nor does anyone else currently employed by this company have any idea where to start. They’ve gotten quite comfortable shoving work my way because they know I can and will do it, but they’ve not concidered how many balls would drop to the floor if I wasn’t here to juggle them all. I’m too busy to be sociable. Given a chance I could do their jobs too but I know that road only goes one way!

By: JM

JM — Thu, 01 May 2008 12:38:32 +0000

A job is not an entitlement or a birth-right. It is a competitively achieved objective. Keeping it is also a competitive process. If you are working too hard to acquire or keep a job you must consider that it may not be the best path for you. If you have the right job then doing it won’t feel like a sacrifice.

By: AS

AS — Thu, 01 May 2008 02:07:12 +0000

More important than hours worked is how much you achieve while at work. Stay focussed and productive. Get as much productive work done as you can while you are at work. Then go do something else that you enjoy.

By: CADDManager

CADDManager — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 23:09:53 +0000

Mark,

Come in early and stay late really sticks in some people craw. I just think it is better to be 10 minutes early than 10minutes late. It is better to not run out the door exactly at quiting time every day. When you do you act like an hourly employee. When you act like an hourly employee, people think you are a gun for hire and not a company player. If your kids has a swim meet or a ball game – take off a little early (after letting people know) once in a while to make the game.

Family comes first, but your job puts food on the table and shoes on their feet. It is always a balancing act.

By: Mark

Mark — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 18:06:35 +0000

When times are busy, come early and stay late to get the work out. When times are slow, come early and stay late to keep your job. In other words, the company always comes first and family and other pursuits take a back seat. Depressing.