Promotion....should I take it?

[milit73]

I am a maintenance technician working on hydrogen furnaces, mills, lathes, cnc machines and just regular building maintenance just to give you an idea of what I do. I have the option to take a promotion to management but it is at a different location. It will make my commute one way to just over an hour (my commute is 45 minutes right now) and I will deal with more traffic so maybe longer on the way home. This promotion doubles my income, retirement is much better, and there will be less demand on my body. On the other hand there will be more responsibility, more stress, and I am sure a few longer nights cutting into family time. Just looking for your thoughts. Thanks Jim

 

[BIGSHCLUNK]

Livin' the dream can have its price.......... only you know whats best for you.

 

[Photon440]

Unless you're currently in your dream job, or you're sure the promotion could wreck your life it would certainly be worth thinking about. A small raise is one thing, doubled income is serious.

Also, how long before you get to have that improved retirement?

 

[YY1]

Doubling of income rarely happens in the same job/employer.

Supervisory roles can be challenging.
For some reason people seem to loose common sense once they get there.
Even smart people.

How about trading up to a better house (read bigger garage) that's closer to the new location?

 

[747mopar]

Sounds like your in my line of work. For me, I always put the most emphasis on "time off work" because that's what's most important to me. I've had other oppurtunities but they usually come with allot of hours so I stay where I'm at, I have almost every weekend off and am usually home by 3:30 every afternoon. Only you know what's important to you but double the money ain't nothing to take lightly.

 

[mrsnicks]

I increased my commute from 30 mins one way to 60 minutes one way for a $15,000.00 raise. I also came to the decision that any future jobs after this one would probably be based in the same location so while it's a bear right now we're looking at moving closer either the late part of this year or early part of next year to get the commute down to around 30 mins. We will also make the move to a bigger house which we desperately need.

Good luck, I say take it. Just make sure it's not a salary/on call/work 90 hours a week job.

Patrick

 

[earlyrides]

the "toolbox" should be full

Be sure your "toolbox" for management is also well stocked.
Many a very good mechanically minded technician found out the hard way that even though they had all of the tools and knowledge needed to make most machinery work; that they lacked the tools and knowledge they needed to motivate the people that they were now responsible for.
In other words be sure you arent leaving something you are really good at for something that will be making you crazy because you are a long way out of your comfort zone.
If you do decide to take the job; start filling your management "toolbox" right away by taking some management courses or at the very least reading some books.
Also consider that if you are now in a union that you will probably lose your union rights to become an "at-will" employee.
If you know any of the crew at the other site you might want to spend some time talking with them to get a feel for what kind of "fire" you might be walking into.
Why did the last guy go? Did he retire happy? Did he get fired? Did he die from stress or suicide?
More money many times creates more problems than it solves.

Whatever you decide, good luck to you.

 

[67 coronet]

stepping into managment is a big change.good points brought up by earlyrides.just make sure you are mentally and emotionally ready for the change.it is a lot different then many people think.lots of things to consider,but doubling your pay is a huge insentive.just make sure you are not stepping into a giant problem and you are well prepared to deal with the stress.best advise i can give is dont make any snap judgements,think everything through.

 

[YY1]

If it's a line level supervisor position, another challenge is that you are in a no-mans land between being "one of the guys" and being a manager. Sometimes situations arise that require creative solutions to avoid totally alienating yourself from either camp.

I'm an IT project manager with a crew of 8 housed in the same location, but an absentee "manager" that only half knows what really goes on in the field.

A good portion of my time is spent figuring out how to interpret what "management" wants in language that doesn't insult the project team, and what the project team needs in terms that doesn't piss off the management. Not to mention actually being productive and documenting progress.

 

[milit73]

The guy i will be replacing, if I do take this offer, retired early due to health reasons (cancer). I have worked there with a few people on and off for the last year fixing some of their equipment with no problems with anyone. This will be a big change for me but manament classes will be provided as the first year will be getting to know the building and slowly stepping into this position. Thanks for all of the responses and keep them coming.

 

[cr8crshr]

From Vacaville to where Jim. North of Sac or towards the Bay area. You know as well as I that the commute thing can be rough for those of use that live here in this area. An hour each way doesn't seem like much until you start doing it every day. That is when it gets old real fast. A promotion for you though is something that comes along at very few intervals in ones work. More money is nice but then the Gov and the Feds are gonna grab more of it so you have to weigh that factor too. Good Luck on the decision. Me...I am retired as you know so I don't have that commute headache to deal with any more. Side Note:

Got the new short block and I am swapping parts from the first motor to the second. In a couple of weeks I might ask if you are available to lend a hand with the new motor install if you ain't too busy. But I am moving forward...cr8crshr/Tuck

 

[milit73]

I will be going to the bay area so the opposite of what I do now as I work in Rancho Cordova. Traffic will suck most of the time but I find that is the only time I can sit and relax and get there when I get there. With three kids, so many tasks I have to do it is relaxing plus I might take the Bee every now and then (ok when I do a half day and not have to sit in traffic).

As far as helping out just give me a little notice and I am there. I have been reading your post about the engine thinking this one better work.

 

[747mopar]

I don't think the commute would be to much of a concern as long as you like it, the best job I ever had was the farthest drive and the worst one was one of the closest. If you like it that's all that matters.

 

[YY1]

Worst commute I had was driving 45 min each way, on a six lane with HEAVY traffic at one end (usually backed up about a mile to three miles before my exit, making that stretch disproportionately long), and staring into the sun BOTH WAYS.

I'll NEVER do that again!

Was driving a CS Daytona turbo at the time, and did get into some freeway speed scuffles with several of nissan z cars- was actually a pretty good match even though the z's look better on paper.

 

[Moparsmitty]

Only you can say what's best for you Jim. There are good and bad things about being management. You might make better money but the tradeoff is usually more responsibility, longer hours, and possibly less job security. All I know is that it wasn't for me. I'm not happy unless I'm working with tools building something, but that's just me.
One of my favorite sayings goes " I've never heard anybody on their deathbed say,"I wish I would have spent more time at work".

 

[pabster]

Hey Jim,

Just to throw it out there... as you know, the Bay Area commute situation is nothing to sneeze at. One of my employees hates East Bay traffic so much that he comes to work around 4-5 and sleeps in his car when he gets here. Are you the kind of person who can really tune out and sit in over an hour of traffic each way, or does that hour grind your gears? I love to drive, but I can't stand long spells of traffic. If I can sit on a bus or train going slow that's one thing, but stopping and starting in my own car drives me nuts. Can you carpool to the new location, or bus/train it?

Anyway, I wish you the best of luck in your decision, hope it all turns out the way you want it.

 

[Meep-Meep]

One consideration on moving up is how secure the position is. In the new position you are, well, "new", and likely to get the ax first if that classification gets hit. Obviously I have no idea about the structure of your company, but you already have the feeling your decision is not a no brainer so do some research if you can. The decision you make must be in your best interest first but at the same time not bite the hand that feeds you. It's very complex. I'll point out a few realities I have seen and heard about over the years so please don't take it wrong. It would be ludicrous for me to pass judgement. Some promotions have all the right intentions about moving talent to an area where problems must be solved for the sake of the operation. You should hope to be in that position. And some promotions are to move people out of the way to solve a problem for the sake of the operation even if it means more money. Businesses are in the business of making money and will do what is required to keep the good people from heading out the door and the bad people from getting in the way. Hopefully this will give you something to think about. And remember, it's nothing personal. It's just business.

 

[milit73]

Well I hope that there not just trying to get rid of me!!!!! With how things are structured I will be the Facilities Manager overseen by the Facilities Director the guy that has offered me the position. He runs five other buildings and during my learning curve he will be with me more than other buildings. He let me know this we be a good two year process to learn the new building and how to properly run the building with all of its processes. I also have the option after a few months to go back to my old position if things are not working out. I do like where I work and the people are great that is why I have second thoughts about the move..........plus it's a bit scary

BTW I would not take anything personal Meep as I very much understand what you are saying

 

[GrabberOrange69]

People move up these days by switching jobs. I recommend you take this opportunity.

 

[Bruzilla]

I think it's awesome that you're actually taking the time to consider the implications of accepting a management position. I've known so many people who focus on the nicer office, better pay, better benefits, etc., and never consider there's a reason why managers get better treatment... it's because they're going to have to earn it by taking on a lot more stress, responsibility, work hours, etc. These folks think their life is going to be just kicking back and telling people what to do, and when the reality of how much their level of effort is going up strikes them a lot of bad things happen.

As for your concerns, you can expect to spend a lot more time on the job, especially if you're taking a salaried/exempt position, but on the plus side you'll also be able to better enjoy the time you have with your family. Your kids won't remember those nights they were playing video games while you were watching TV, but they will remember the time you took them to Disney for the weekend, or Friday nights at the theater, or camping trips with the camper you bought, so it all evens out.

I think your most important consideration is that taking this position expands your desirability as an employee. Right now you're a maintenance technician. If you take the job, you'll be a manager of some type of worker, and quickly you'll be recognized as a manager and then a supervisor. This is a huge benefit to you if you have to, or want to, pursue other opportunities outside the maintenance field. The more diverse your experience and qualifications are, the more diverse your job opportunities are, and that's always a good thing.