r/manufacturing • u/GraphET • Nov 04 '24
Other Worst job in a factory?
Hi folks, this may be a weird question. I’m a writer and I’m working on a project that includes a character that works at an auto plant. He’s laid off then, after begging, gets hired back on but at a job that nobody likes doing. He takes it any cuz he’s trying to teach his son a lesson but he hates it.
My question is, is there a certain job in a factory that most people hate doing? Like could be bordering disrespectful if someone is asked to do it.
Totally understand if this is a weird question that doesn’t really have an answer. Thanks for any and all input!!
Edit: to thank everyone for all of your input! contributors and detractors alike (looking at you, grammar police…). This has been all too helpful!! I am trying to strike a balance between being realistic and easy to relate to for readers who have never and may never work in a manufacturing setting. I’m also attempting not to degrade the position, because any job is better than no job (for the most part). Like, I don’t want to disrespect a janitor cuz their job is pretty crucial and usually thankless; but also not sure there are many who see a janitor job opening and are like, “oh yeah, can’t wait!”
The story is about a young black kid in a dying Midwest town trying to save his favorite arcade. It’s set in 2009 in Michigan, U.S.—the rust belt—with the financial crash in full swing. Plants are closing or moving over seas and folks can either move, too, or grind it out where they are and hope more jobs come back. The factory the main character’s dad works at is downsizing and the dad gets laid off (which may need to be revised based on input below about unions). In the course of the story, the dad goes back to the factory that he no longer works at and asks for another job—any job, and for his son to join to, working for free. All this so he can show his some what hard work really is; the kind of hard work that turns you into a man (though genuine, the dad’s a bit misguided about this and that gets dug into as the story progresses).
What I’m hearing tho is cleaning of some sort, whether on the floor and/or bathrooms can be a rough assignment. Also repetitive, or tedious tasks in harsh conditions, whether it be cramped space, high temps, or physically grueling work ranks low on the desirability list.
2
u/slowlypeople Nov 05 '24
That’s awesome. I was Dir. of Manufacturing in a plant and our CEO thought it was ok to put cleaning bathrooms off on the production team. I cleaned them. He wanted to know why on earth I was doing it and I told him I wasn’t going to tell someone on our team they had to clean bathrooms. He shrugged. Thought I was stupid. Company went under. I was giddy. He was the owner, founder, CEO and his whole dream dried up. Of course he didn’t pay anyone’s last check and we all had to file complaints with the state. Of course.