Everyone around me is advising me, “Go to the factory, it's serious business, you can't just sit in the office at the computer.” Have you ever been there yourself? My friend did just that. He decided to try it. He spent two years at the machines, and when he told me how everything was arranged there, it became clear why people don't stay there for long.
He got a job as a CNC machine operator. Sounds proud, right? In fact, it meant that from the first day he was in a strict rhythm. You stand at the machine from morning to night. No gatherings, no scheduled smoke breaks. And if you are late somewhere, you are guaranteed a reprimand.
Working conditions are harsh
The shop is a separate topic. It's cold in winter, stuffy in summer. The floor is concrete, your feet are so noisy that you can barely get home. And there are cameras everywhere – you can't even sneeze without the attention of your superiors. Personal communication in the shops was reduced to a minimum – there was simply no way to talk because of the noise.
The schedule was classic shift work: two shifts of 12 hours. And while he was still cheerful for the first couple of months, after six months he looked like a man who had been hauling bags of cement his whole life.
The team… It's a mixed bag here. Some come to curry favor with their superiors, and it's better not to cross paths with them. Some simply pull the strings for the sake of their family. But there's no special “team spirit” here.
Why are salaries low?
Here you either work for the base salary or take on additional shifts. He tried to earn more, took on overtime, but still he couldn't make more than 20% of the base salary.
And this is against the background of the fact that health can be lost, he complained. The work equipment is often old, the noise is constant, safety precautions are observed, but at a minimum.
And the prospects, as he said, are almost nonexistent. Those who want stability come to the factory. But the situation here is such that you are like a robot: stand at the machine, follow the plan and don't think about growth.
Why aren't young people leaving?
Here, in my opinion, everything is obvious. Earning money inspires few people. Young people choose part-time jobs, freelancing, and training for new professions. Going to a big city or working for themselves seems easier than enduring factory routine.
He noticed that factories were becoming a place for those who had no other options. The bulk of the employees were either retirees or people close to retirement. There were almost no young people, a friend said.
Factories today are losing people no longer because of salaries. Workers are leaving because they want more: respect, comfort, prospects. Until that happens, any rate will only be a temporary motivation.
Many large enterprises claim to have a staff shortage, but who will go there if nothing changes?
He left the factory after two years. Yes, the work tempered his character, but he realized one thing: factory stability is a myth. Until working conditions change, most young professionals will continue to look for other paths.
Importantly
This article is based on the personal experience and subjective impressions of one person who worked at one particular enterprise. It reflects only one possible scenario of working in a factory.
Working conditions, salaries, team, management attitude and career prospects can vary dramatically depending on the specific plant, its location, industry, level of technology, corporate culture and country. The experiences described here are not universal for the entire industry.
As a journalist, I report stories and observations, but I am not an expert in employment, manufacturing, labor law, or occupational health and safety. This material does not constitute professional advice on career choices or working conditions.
Before making important decisions about your career or evaluating potential jobs, we recommend conducting your own thorough research, gathering information from various sources, contacting employment specialists, studying reviews about specific companies, and learning firsthand about the working conditions at a potential job.
