We have members here from all walks of life, and with all kinds of employment experience. I'd like to tap into some of that experience and get some different perspectives on a situation I find myself in.
I'm just a skosh under 58 years of age, and have been working at the same manufacturing facility for 37 years. All of that time has been working second shift, and in the same department. I became a "lead" after two years, and a supervisor after fifteen years. I have a great crew of twelve folks, and I absolutely love the shift (for me, it's 2:30pm to around midnight). My boss is a cantankerous, obstinate individual (the area manager) who will be retiring in June of 2021. About two years ago, the plant manager and my boss asked if I'd be interested in taking over my boss' position when he retires, and I told them that I was not even remotely interested. I explained that my goal is to stop working at 63, and get the hell out of Dodge (Washington state). I also said that after all these years of swing shift hours, the idea of starting work at 6:00am held no appeal to me whatsoever. I told them this two years ago, and have never waivered from that position. In fact, I even suggested one of my own crew members as a candidate for the position, and they agreed that he would be a good fit.
Fast forward to last Thursday, and in a nutshell, the plant manager has informed me that he really wants me to take the position. He says that he has always considered me the #2 guy, and that he really can't even consider anyone else within the plant for the position. He said I'm the most logical choice, and would I please keep it in mind, and keep the dialog going on the subject.
Ugh.
Here's the thing, guys...I feel a certain obligation to take the position. I mean, sure, I'm honored/flattered that they believe I could do the job, but what hits me the most is this sense I have of commitment and obligation/duty to the company. I get that it makes the most sense to put me in that spot. I already do 75% of the job, anyways. The guy I recommended would be bumped up to a supervisor to replace me, and I'd move to dayshift and become the area manager, in charge of all three shifts. Do I think I could handle the job? I suppose so. But do I want that level of stress and responsibility? Do I want to change almost four decades of my "regularly scheduled program" to something where I'm forced to wake up in the morning at a time when I used to be just falling asleep? I just don't know. Hell, the difference in traffic, alone, is enough to dissuade most. My commute one way is now 45 minutes. That could easily become 75-90 minutes with the new shift.
I can only assume that there would be a monetary benefit to me taking the promotion. That would help me realize some of my goals (paying off the house, and retiring at 63). And I would only be doing the job for 4 and a half years, so there would be a light at the end of the tunnel. But still...the meetings, the added stress, the schedule. Would it be worth it?
I'd really like to hear what you all might have to say. Advice. Suggestions. Opinions. Tell me I'm nucking futs. Let me hear what you think about all this. I'm literally losing sleep over this situation, as I'm seriously torn as to whether this is a real opportunity, or a huge mistake in the making.
Thanks,
Squatch
I'm just a skosh under 58 years of age, and have been working at the same manufacturing facility for 37 years. All of that time has been working second shift, and in the same department. I became a "lead" after two years, and a supervisor after fifteen years. I have a great crew of twelve folks, and I absolutely love the shift (for me, it's 2:30pm to around midnight). My boss is a cantankerous, obstinate individual (the area manager) who will be retiring in June of 2021. About two years ago, the plant manager and my boss asked if I'd be interested in taking over my boss' position when he retires, and I told them that I was not even remotely interested. I explained that my goal is to stop working at 63, and get the hell out of Dodge (Washington state). I also said that after all these years of swing shift hours, the idea of starting work at 6:00am held no appeal to me whatsoever. I told them this two years ago, and have never waivered from that position. In fact, I even suggested one of my own crew members as a candidate for the position, and they agreed that he would be a good fit.
Fast forward to last Thursday, and in a nutshell, the plant manager has informed me that he really wants me to take the position. He says that he has always considered me the #2 guy, and that he really can't even consider anyone else within the plant for the position. He said I'm the most logical choice, and would I please keep it in mind, and keep the dialog going on the subject.
Ugh.
Here's the thing, guys...I feel a certain obligation to take the position. I mean, sure, I'm honored/flattered that they believe I could do the job, but what hits me the most is this sense I have of commitment and obligation/duty to the company. I get that it makes the most sense to put me in that spot. I already do 75% of the job, anyways. The guy I recommended would be bumped up to a supervisor to replace me, and I'd move to dayshift and become the area manager, in charge of all three shifts. Do I think I could handle the job? I suppose so. But do I want that level of stress and responsibility? Do I want to change almost four decades of my "regularly scheduled program" to something where I'm forced to wake up in the morning at a time when I used to be just falling asleep? I just don't know. Hell, the difference in traffic, alone, is enough to dissuade most. My commute one way is now 45 minutes. That could easily become 75-90 minutes with the new shift.
I can only assume that there would be a monetary benefit to me taking the promotion. That would help me realize some of my goals (paying off the house, and retiring at 63). And I would only be doing the job for 4 and a half years, so there would be a light at the end of the tunnel. But still...the meetings, the added stress, the schedule. Would it be worth it?
I'd really like to hear what you all might have to say. Advice. Suggestions. Opinions. Tell me I'm nucking futs. Let me hear what you think about all this. I'm literally losing sleep over this situation, as I'm seriously torn as to whether this is a real opportunity, or a huge mistake in the making.
Thanks,
Squatch
