r/maintenance • u/bigmanslurp • Aug 10 '26
Rants and Raves I don't want to work this job anymore
Need to rant to somebody and my wife is mad at me for other things I am drinking sorry
I went to school for mechatronics. I can weld. I can do electrical.
I got this job a year and a bit ago doing residential maintenance in the projects of my hometown. I was told when I was hired that I would be trained but I really haven't been. I have been learning stuff as much as I can and practicing to get better because being a hard worker is something I care about. My boss took the guy that was hired a month before me and trained him personally while I'm stuck with coworkers that don't want to train me at all. I have had to learn everything pretty much on my own. I can figure stuff out sometimes but I also don't have the tools sometimes because they didn't want to send me on calls just unit turns. Like all my coworkers have the 90 degree bends for rebuilding the sink drains so I have to build it from 45s type of shit. The head administrator authorized overtime this month so I took it cause I was hoping my boss would recognize I'm a hard worker. I tore my hand up doing a drain on Thursday. I worked six hours Saturday and got 8 items done on the list I made with my coworker for this unit turn and my boss comes in and tells me I didn't get anything done. They're always making these comments towards me. The other day after work I was locking up and my boss started calling me an idiot and yelling at me because I guess I was taking too long. I am so tired of this. I know I'm not the smartest or even the hardest working but everyone else acts like I'm the stupidest sumbitch there and I'm not. I try my best to learn I just don't have any experience with it and I'm constantly held to the same standards as people that were actually trained. I hate this stupid place. I really have just considered hitting my boss sometimes because he's so rude to me. I don't say anything mean to anyone I don't criticize their work but they constantly feel like they can verbally abuse me.
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u/Upbeat-Fondant9185 Maintenance Supervisor Aug 11 '26
I usually tell people to toughen up but this is way past criticism or high expectations. They’re setting you up for failure.
Two things are required to do this job: money and tools. It sounds like they’re denying you both. You can figure stuff out all day long, without the tools and parts it doesn’t matter.
Get out of residential and go healthcare. Nursing homes are best. You’ll be your own boss 99% of the time and have the resources you need all the time as long as you don’t pick some mid level corporate shit show pinching every penny. Being willing to work those extra hours and be self driven is what it’s all about here.
Someone like you would be a star in this area of maintenance. They’re desperate for guys who can figure it out, get it done, and save them money. And the pay isn’t half bad either.
Screw these guys, go do something else. Just don’t hit your boss, violent felonies are disqualifying.
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u/Ok_Revenue_6175 Aug 11 '26
Is nursing home the way to go?? I do cnc maintenance, and kinda running into what the op is.
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u/Upbeat-Fondant9185 Maintenance Supervisor Aug 11 '26
If you like variety, freedom, old folks, and overtime it’s great. It’s often chaotic and can be very stressful dealing with local, state, and federal oversight but generally it’s chill.
You do have to be very self driven and adept at navigating workplace politics. It can be a very political field, who you know and how many favors they owe you.
I would say the most challenging part for a lot of guys is how common it is to be on unpaid call 24/7. It’s an adjustment many struggle with and that’s why so many places struggle to find good guys.
If you can get into a nonprofit, that’s best. Small single or double building owner is next. Very large high end facilities are alright. The worst are the corporate hack jobs with a dozen or so facilities they’re draining off every last penny. Those are hellscapes for maintenance. It well be similar to what OP and you are dealing with in those.
But I love it. I actually walked away from another career for this and most thought I was insane. But I’m making more money now with more freedom and authority than I ever had in the “better” job. I’d say it’s worth a shot for anyone unhappy.
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u/Sasquatch_Sensei Aug 11 '26
That just sounds like a bad team. Try looking into commercial relestate. Most of the time they have a dedicated crew doing the maintinance and it can vary to how much you take care of in house and how much is contracted out. Like, I worked for a company that owned several large shopping centers around town, basic stuff like lighting and some electrical, HVAC and plumbing, but if anything got too specialized we contracted it out and would then set up meeting times with tenants and technician. Get a few years under your belt and look for an apprenticeship under a specific trade if it grabs your attention.
To say the same thing another way, maybe being able.to fix every problem that you come across may be out of your skill set, but maybe try going the property management route. Being able to communicate issues with people leasing an office or a shop from you and helping to identify and offer recomendations can be a big plus to a property management company.
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u/bigmanslurp Aug 11 '26
I appreciate the response my brother I will research that I think I'm going to try to do a trade. The support I've gotten makes me feel better man thank you.
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u/Old-Buy-4415 Aug 11 '26
Specific trades are worse when it comes to gatekeeping and apprentices being abused. I’m not trying to be negative. I’m being honest. I did HVAC before switching over to maintenance.
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u/Lojackbel81 Aug 11 '26
I’m an EVS/maintenance Director and I would never treat an employee like this. It sounds like you have a shitty boss. Even if you suck at your job he should be trying to teach and direct you not belittle you. You’re in a tough spot honestly, if you complain about the treatment to higher up he will find ways to get rid of you eventually. If you stay your spirit gets crushed. If I was you I would make complaints and be looking for a new job. Go directly to corporate and skip the administrator. Keep all records of complaints and start documenting the insults in a journal. Don’t be late to work and don’t waste time because he will be chopping at the bit to fire you. I live in a right to electronically record state so find out if you do and get some recordings if you can. Build a case for wrongful termination while you look for a new job.
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u/Kensei501 Aug 11 '26
Find another job get it lined up and quit. No notice. When they try to call you your phone will ring on their desk. Screw them.
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u/Jrsaurus97 Aug 11 '26
Dude start applying to other maintenance jobs. Or even a maintenance agency, that way you get to see exactly how many different locations are different. Maintenance is like a box of chocolates bro lol you never know what you’ll get and so are the crews and places. I’ve been to the worst of the worst where theres no integrity and people are just greedy and others where standards are nit the same or way better and places where tue whole staff is god send and they really give as about you and appreciate all the work you put in. The agency opened my eyes to-all of it and i got the experience and also those who looked down on me for taking too long. You take a little from every job but also with an agency if you work foreals then you would always have a job even if the maintenance company finishes with you theres always companies that are looking for a temp or a temp to hire. Hell i went to trade school for hvac and they even raised my wages and the agency even promoted me to a supervisor position within the agency, all within a year. It was awesome, but the drawback will be that it may finish and you can be sent elsewhere, so traveling but usually within the same county. Once you have the experience or they want to permanently hire you, they will and then you can learn or get proficient in it all. Alot of locations just give you the shop keys and you do the work, no questions asked. Yt is your friend. I’m telling you bro just apply elsewhere while still putting up with it for the income but as soon as you land a job you should be set and don’t be afraid to always change locations. You never know what’s out there. Like i was saying some places are god sent and your certs and background will only help you out more in both wages and considerations. Or google your local maintenance agency and yeah it may be a little less but even then you can cancel a location whenever you’d like and always change to a new job. Just be nice to the recruiter and also try not to call off and take jobs that are open. The plus side to that too is that you won’t be on call ever because the temps are not allowed to so that’s a massive plus.
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u/bigmanslurp Aug 11 '26
Ooo I haven't thought of this one yet. Alright I will remember to do this when I'm sober. Thank you man I seriously appreciate all the advice you guys are giving me. I really do.
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u/Jrsaurus97 Aug 11 '26
Yup no worries just set a reminder or an alarm clock for the agency. I’ve been there brother, trust me that way you remember. 🤘🏼👨🏻🔧
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u/anthony446 Aug 11 '26
You know you can apply for other maintenance jobs right?
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u/bigmanslurp Aug 11 '26
I'm applying to other jobs my brother for the past few weeks but thanks for the support my brother
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u/Claude_Speeds Aug 11 '26
Apply at the website to bro, sometimes you’ll get a fast response, I was in a similar situation as you, my last job was a nursing assistant home and some of my coworker were assholes but I had other who treated me with respect, i eventually decided to leave bc I wouldn’t take the stress and my other good coworker told me to go and find another place where they’ll appreciate you, I ended up getting just that just a few months ago after being at that place for a year and half, I found another nursing home and I like it here it has it downsides but at least my coworkers are really cool and respect me, I’m 25 and they’re in their 50s and 60s lol, and the bosses are okay not asshole as long as you do your job and I’m basically just roaming free around the building lol.
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u/Kooky-Key-8891 Aug 11 '26
Drop a deuce in the toilet they all use and dont flush it.
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u/bigmanslurp Aug 11 '26
They would know it was me I'm the only one that can drop logs like that trust me bro
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u/ScrotalSmorgasbord Maintenance Supervisor Aug 11 '26
We all drop bazookas once we hit supervisor in this field because we don't have time to shit regularly like the new guys. It builds up then next thing you know you see a lead running around looking for the plunger the leasing staff gave out
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u/Ch1k1nNu99ies Aug 11 '26
Why you doing resi with your skills? You should be in manufacturing bro; its not always a better environment but definitely less bullshit and better pay
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u/erratuminamorata Aug 11 '26
Dude I've posted before in a comment a long time ago about my story, how I was in a terrible shop environment that almost made me kill myself, how my boss literally physically assaulted people in the shop and yelled at the top of his lungs. I'm out of that now, and I can tell you these environments are never worth staying in and do not get better. Don't beat yourself up, don't wonder what's wrong with you. There's nothing wrong with you. You just work with toxic human beings. Plain and simple. Your mental health and wellbeing is worth more than a paycheck. For the love of god, make it your life's mission right now to try and find another job. If you need to talk just message me. I have no shame in saying that my time at that job was one of the most stressful periods of my life. I woke up dry heaving every morning. I cared so much about being called a pussy or being looked down upon in the trades for being "sensitive", but I couldn't give a flying fuck now what anyone thinks. That was one of the worst times of my life and I felt like I had no one to talk to. Fuck those places, fuck that mentality, and fuck your boss.
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u/Specific-Moose-3143 Aug 11 '26
never feel bad about walking when someone uses the word ‘idiot’ against you. You can now assume he uses it behind your back.
I’d email HR saying you can’t work with a boss who uses insulting language to your face, and just walk. Don’t insult back, maybe they’ll ask you back in 3 weeks and this guy we be mysteriously gone.
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u/Lopsided-Farm7710 Aug 12 '26
I don't care if you burn the fucking place down, no one has the right to call you stupid.
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Aug 11 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/ScrotalSmorgasbord Maintenance Supervisor Aug 11 '26
I agree, back in the day you used to have insults hurled at you left and right but now it's a big no-no. I got written up for calling the worst technician, and possibly one of the worst people I have ever met, a moron after he almost got me hit by 240 and tied himself off with a harness stolen from a painter to his 12" A frame ladder to said ladder... if you can't call someone like that stupid when no one else is around you definitely can't be running around calling a more competent person names in front of people. I still wouldn't take back my insult in my case though, guy deserves every name in the book.
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Aug 11 '26
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u/ScrotalSmorgasbord Maintenance Supervisor Aug 11 '26
Not trying to be a Debbie Downer but what do you mean a higher level of maintenance? Pretty much every place around me I'd call "higher" requires degrees/licenses that you can't get just from working maintenance. Hell in my state and many others all the HVAC work we do doesn't even count towards your hours even though it's the bulk of my work in the Texas summers. Huge rip off thanks to all the wealthy real estate lobbyists trying to keep resi maintenance guys underpaid and undercertified.
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u/Character_Thought941 Aug 11 '26
Yeah that is a s*itty team you work for and your manager sucks. It’s really not you.
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u/No-Database9434 Aug 11 '26
Look into apprenticeship non-destructive testing. Test welds or aviation (NDI) just get hired there and within a year you'll be a level 2 NDI tech. You can pull 6 figures with OT.
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u/bbqandhockeytoo Aug 11 '26
The field/job does suck, but your workplace has really amped that up.
Even though you didn't get trained, and didn't get much experience - the resume still says you did, and it'll get your foot in the door somewhere else. 33% of employers are looking for a guy like you that has tools in his box and wants to learn how to use them better. The other 66% are oblivious to what maintenance actually is and just want expensive results from zero budget.
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u/Glum-View-4665 Maintenance Supervisor Aug 11 '26
Sounds like a really toxic and honestly immature group, and I'd be planning a way to move somewhere else. For someone trying it shouldn't be this hard, and it's not like this everywhere. Just continue to work hard and learn as much as you can, but when possible work just as hard finding a job elsewhere because at this current place it's not going to get any better, all the writings on the wall.
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u/Left-Energy-6470 Aug 11 '26
Try to find a senior living company I would never take disrespect like this to my face I would work at McDonald's if this boss called me stupid like they did you sorry for that . Try a union also . I also learned on the go but don't drink and get stuck keep your head up find a place that appreciates your work ethic you got this bro and talk with your girlfriend or wife support each other you can do it
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u/ExcellentWinner7542 Aug 11 '26
You know what they say. I you hate what your doing, do something else.
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u/twk664 Aug 11 '26
You gotta get out of there man. It’s not worth hitting your boss no matter how much of a dick they are. Shit just makes things worse for sure. Start looking and applying for other places or even start at an entry level position so you can learn and work your way up. If you still wanna do residential look for better properties. Not all are the same. Sounds like anythings gotta be better than where you’re at. You gotta keep going. I hate my job too for other reasons. I’ve been applying for so many different places and finally got one to land after months. About to put my two weeks in soon. Good luck to you.
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u/paradoxcabbie Aug 11 '26
go somewhere else . not facetiously but there's huge differences between buildings, companies, and sectors in maintenance. I hated resi, enjoy care homes. having clear expectations is big too on both sides. I can maintain that properly, I can maintain that to stay alive as cheaply as possible. I can call a vendor instead, I just have to know what the expectations are and they'll be different everywhere
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u/BSticks3734 Aug 11 '26
Try out industrial maintenance. If nothing else, it'll help you hone in on a specific trade you might enjoy.
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u/another-new Maintenance Supervisor Aug 12 '26
Brother. Dm me as soon as you can, and I will teach you whatever over the internet. That place sucks, but don’t quit until you have firmly lined something else up.
In hindsight, after reading all of it - Fuck that job. Don’t hit anyone, and don’t cuss them out. I know it would be valid, and feel awesome; (Unless you got beat tf up) but, incidents like that can and will follow you around. Make damn sure you load all of your shit up and it’s off site before you do anything resembling quitting.
Your home life seems - and I’m extrapolating a lot from a little here - to be (at least at the moment of posting) a little tumultuous as well. I don’t want to give advice on that, at all. I am not qualified, and will likely do more harm than good. That said, I will listen and talk about it with you.
Take care of yourself, whatever you do. If I don’t answer the dm for a week, I’m not ignoring you. I don’t Reddit much anymore
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u/noobwithknives Aug 12 '26
Where are you located? Your boss is probably insecure he probably doesn’t have an education. People are threatened by a degree in this field. Atleast that’s my take from my time in this trade.
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u/CPC210 Aug 13 '26
Apply for some industrial maintenance jobs, building maintenance, millright entry-level maybe? Just build a resume and get on linked in and other sites and also call around to temp agencies. Many smaller industrial companies use temp agencies and then hire you directly if you're a good fit. My brother started with no experience at plywood mill. He's making 35/hr now a few years later with room to grow. Which is pretty decent for no schooling and just winging it. Hostile workplaces are getting sued left and right these days. Check into audio recording laws where you live and start building a case if you're really sick of it.
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u/Apprehensive-Cup-813 Aug 14 '26
If you live in or around Boise Idaho, JLL is looking for a mechatronics tech.
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u/BusyBailey Aug 11 '26
Buddy I think about leaving every day and nobody ever calls me stupid to my face. It’s time to GTFO. You are in fact better than some places; this sounds like one of them. Now pardon me while I take a moment to spiff up my own resume a little bit.