Ben Bragg Loc: Dayton Ohio

My job is Senior Welding Engineer for North American operations for an OEM automotive manufacturer. Chinese owned company , although the only Chinese guys I’ve ever met were my counterparts in China.
This company in America turned into a cash dump.
Major loss. Like figures I can’t comprehend cash loss.
Our Headquarters is in Poland.
I specify , manage and oversee the acquisition of welding robots.
I’ve bought 40 robot arms in the last 3 years, along with all the tooling , programming , gauging , and commissioning of the system.
Then I move to the next one.
I work a lot. Cuts into family time . Lately fishing time is when I can squeeze it in without neglecting other stuff.

Well had a high level meeting today.
We are moving all fabrication operations to Our Mexico plant and a small portion to Europe.

Before anyone screams “ we are losing American jobs!!!”
30% of our work force is Haitian refugees they somehow sponsored because jobs that are available aren’t being pursued by true blue Americans.

Decision making time , I gotta travel like I did 2 years ago . That liked to have killed me. 9 months of the year in Mexico and the other 3 at suppliers.
Lucky for a weekend a month at home , then I had expense reports and other admin stuff .

I got EColi 3 different times. 2 of which I got after vowing , if I didn’t prepare it , I don’t eat it.
I get a hotel with a kitchen.

One option is to take em for everything they will throw at me on OT and pay off everything I owe except mortgage and truck payment in 6 months , then bank the rest. Then get laid off
And live on severance till I find other employment
Or find another job immediately.

Not just any job.

I’ve drawn 6 unemployment checks in my lifetime.

What would you do?

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Well, B.B. That is a quandry. Even with all the information given, I would have to know more. For instance, how old you are, and how far away from retirement are you. What is your 401k like and
are you anywhere near retirement? How much longer do you plan on working, if you could have it
as you would like to have it? Your job sounds like you are as busy as a one armed paper hanger, still
can you survive at doing nothing, or very little? If I were still working, it probably take two sessions to get all the necessary information from you to be able to make an educated recommendation. Just Sayin...RJS

CamT Loc: La Porte, Texas

Ben I feel for you, I'm retired and understand what you are talking about, I hope you can find an answer that works for you, the work force has changed so much I'm glad I don't have to deal with it anymore as it is f-uped up to the max

Ben Bragg Loc: Dayton Ohio

Exactly the response I wanted from a friend I’ve never met.
RJS I’d like to confer with you privately. Let’s PM

For the record I’ll be 60 when this fiasco is over.

Looks great on resume , the sad truth is this is reality , this is what is happening to the American workforce.

I’m torn. Contribute to the loss of American jobs that no one wants to do , or do what I’m paid to do.

To answer your question , I’ll be 60 when this is all done.
My retirement fund is weaker than I’d like.

RJS in my opinion , you are a somewhat successful professional. I’d like to get your input.

If I put my resume out there , in todays job market, I’d get hits.
Problem is , I’m a gray beard. I have earned the right the hard way.
Get me , ya gotta pay

mistred64 Loc: Grayslake, illinois

Ben I feel your pain. My situation is different but I need to get a new job and it's scary. I'm 57 with no computer skills. I worked for a great guy who is now 65 and he sold the company so he could stay in it part time. The new owner is a schiester who doesn't pay me on time. By law I should be paid twice per month because I'm hourly. For 2021 I received 11 paychecks. I just got paid today for the last 6 weeks of 2021. Yesterday I finally filed a complaint against him with the Illinois Dept. of Labor. Bottom line is I have to find something to get me to retirement.

Ben Bragg Loc: Dayton Ohio

That’s me. I work my nads off for the man
I owned my own business for a time. Gotta tell ya , that’s not what it’s cracked up to be !
Just want to find a place I can retire from.
I’m getting tired.
Worried no one wants a gray beard , especially when you can get a new grad at 60 %

I teach these guys the tricks I learned in 1995

mistred64 Loc: Grayslake, illinois

With so many jobs available now I'm not sure our age is the problem. For me it's lack of computer skills. Heck I can't even post a picture on this site. Do you have decent computer knowledge?

mistred64 Loc: Grayslake, illinois

You might see me behind the grocery store deli counter or bagging.

Ben Bragg Loc: Dayton Ohio

My computer skills are lacking. You want a fancy presentation , I’m not your guy.
You want a problem to not be a problem , that’s where I earn my supper.

saw1 Loc: nor cal Windsor

I hate to be a wet blanket, but our age is what is the deal breaker.
Most companies don't want someone with the experience we have.
For starters, they can't tell us " This is the WAY YOU SHOULD DO IT". Because we usually know the way it should be done and sometimes that isn't the way they WANT it done cause they don't know how to do it the right way themselves. And the boss wants it done HIS way and sometimes that's NOT the RIGHT way or BEST way.
They want someone they can get away with payin them less than half of what they would have to pay you.
Plus if they fire the younger guys they don't have to worry bout replacing them or payin a severance package.
The older you are the harder it is to get the good payin job like the one you just left.
There may be a FEW exceptions to the rule, but for the most part that is the reality we live in today.

Jeremy Loc: America

I’m bummed for you Ben. Maybe check out possibilities of other employers while playing along with them until one comes your way. I think there has got to be something. If you don’t take severance right away it’s probably gone.

bknecht Loc: Northeast pa

We’re pulling for you Ben and I believe you’ve consulted with the best (RJS). From reading all of his posts about his experiences in the world of business along with other advice he’s dispensed I’d definitely say he’s the one.

plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland

Ben you aren't alone and from what i read on here yesterday Y A H O O. You always have other options.

Advice from the folks on here is just that Advice. Only you know if you are as good as your resume would say. Right now this country is hurting for workers and a good worker will do very well financially.

Speaking of financially, only you know where you stand, so really it is a no brainer. If you don't enjoy what you are doing it is a job. Either go with the flow or do what you enjoy.

Slimshady Loc: Central Pennsylvania

We’ll be praying for you Ben. Don’t know what I would do if I was in your shoes.

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

You may wish to look inside your current company for other opportunities as they may know and appreciate your value and find something else for you to do where you can avoid all the travel. If not, then you may want to look elsewhere. I hope it works out for you. I turned 60 a few months back and am trying to get to retirement myself. Good luck!