Burnout Happens To Hourly Techs Too!!

[@Themiddleclassmechanic]

Hourly tech here, made the recent decision to just stop overdoing it. Total valid points. You can’t stay at jobs that suck. Getting comfortable being uncomfortable can be a good thing and a bad thing. Gotta move on sometimes. 👍

[@miscprojects9662]

Your content is burning out. Seems far more likely that you represent the one guy in every shop with sour grapes turning the work environment toxic for others. Far more people burning out on flat rate trying to make their bonuses every pay period than those on salary and hourly knowing they can pay their bills every month.

[@epicragegaming2016]

every shop needs employees more than employees need any shop.

[@dieseltechjoe]

I kinda feel that not many shops treat their techs according to how they get paid. As a flat rate tech, every shop I've worked at wastes alot of my time. I would have to say a good 30-40%. Handling things that I'm not paid to do. However I feel if I were hourly they wouldn't want to waste my time, but probably work the dog shit out of you. Honesly I think think this Industry needs to fully sink before it'll get better.

[@parker7953]

Young former tech here, was just telling someone I'm ready to jump back in once the collapse/reform happens. I don't care about money/fame, it felt honorable knowing I was keeping America moving and people feeling safe/falling in love again with their vehicles. But I demand respect, and you will find little to none of that in this industry. A collapse/reform with a bunch of crazy people wondering how to fix their cars may make America respect us again. Also, we can use that time to weed out the HACKS that give us a bad name, we all know there's too many of them.

[@killerwowmaster]

I've got a personal story that is about the topic of this video. Beginning of the pandemic, I was laid off as a GST from a local mom and pop. Another indie shop that was absolutely booming during covid took me in, with the help of an older A tech that went there after he was laid off from my same shop. I was taken in as a GST on an hourly pay of 14/hr, with 1/hr flat rate bump for production. I was probably a really strong C tech at that time. In the Year and a half I worked there I cut my teeth hard and learned a TON of hard lessons, and become an incredibly solid A tech, Doing internal engine work, complicated diagnostics, as well as being the guy in the shop that could fix any broken bolt, stud, or repair any threads. (This is all in the deep rust belt by the way, havent gotten to work on a rust free car ever. ) All this to say, I was still getting paid 15/hr doing cylinder heads, camshafts on v8's, timing chains on BMW's, diagnosing very complicated driveability issues. The reason I stopped? I started getting nightmares, my fiance, then girlfriend, started telling me over dinner that I was talking about setting cars on the lift, and not forgetting how cars go back together, all while asleep. And awake I always had to do mental checklists of how cars were taken apart and spread out when I wasnt actively at work. Because the shop owner, he's a very solid man and human being, but he was blinded to the fact that there were others who didnt want to put in a 70 hour week for like $800 take home. Anyway, just my $0.02. Thanks FRM, great video as always.

[@edbuckley1670]

you went from a C tech to an A tech in a year and a half kinda hard to believe but an a tech should make 30 an hour. at least

[@killerwowmaster]

@@edbuckley1670 I've always been a very quick study, its something i'm very grateful for. Plus I've been fixing things my entire life, and never had trouble learning lessons the first time. Don't get me wrong, when I started out I was a retard just like everyone was, I just had great people who taught me a ton and believed in me.

[@eddieds312]

All that for $15 an hour

[@P.A.C.E.automotive]

Dude I hope you're getting compensated properly nowadays!

[@killerwowmaster]

@@P.A.C.E.automotive I’m getting compensated properly by not working in automotive anymore. I’m a general contractor now.

[@andygilbert1877]

If you want to be around (and able) to play football with your Grandkids…look after yourself! 😊

[@mols89]

Leaving an understaffed, overworked fleet shop for exactly this. Well, for my kids =)

[@carlbyington5185]

HEY... WAIT A MINUTE, I need another boat !! My guys all drive Pinto's, and Yugo's,, gotta go, I need to do an LOF on my Lambo, LOL

[@P.A.C.E.automotive]

I've found the average flat-rater is quite assertive (won't allow any hours fall through the cracks) and the average hourly is more timid and able to be taken advantage of. Burnout is real, look out for yourself in the long run!

[@dongf5628]

Sounds like the dude was overworking his employees, just because he pays hourly doesn’t mean the shop is run well. This guy doesn’t know what he’s talking about

[@darklordbarney]

I'm currently dealing with the other mechanic I work with in the fleet we maintain who has burnt himself out. We have a REALLY good boss who looks out for us. The pay/overall compensation is very good at my company. We do on call, but for the most part its something simple (flat tire, dead battery, key locked in vehicle, etc} or we are calling a tow truck and addressing it the next work day. Mentally he has let it all overwhelm him to where its a challenge each day for him at work and myself also dealing with it. No matter the pay scale, keep your mind on you. Do what you can in your working hours. Better to do a proper job than a fast one. Take your full lunch break and small breaks. Leave work there at quitting time. Don't run yourself into the ground. Your family and friends will miss you when you're gone. Work will Just replace you. You get ZERO pay bringing work home with you!

[@josephespinoza9354]

Techs should be making the most money with out them there would be no money.

[@MsFireboy2]

I’m sure you have heard this saying? Flat a quick way to an early grave. I have lost 4 former co-workers they have pass on. Some of them had businesses. So folks you need to take of yourself’s physically and mentally.

[@parker7953]

Unfortunately the reality in most shops when Techs realize they need to take it easy, they are then accused of laziness and guilt tripped or threatened with less pay/termination until they are back to the unhealthy way of working. Saw it in every shop I worked in.

[@MsFireboy2]

@@parker7953 me too. Micromanagement was the thing until I quit. Stuck with it for 37 years.

[@parker7953]

To add since I’m mad how techs get treated. Saw one tech get fired who worked there for many years for using the dealership drive thru car wash one time, something porters/managers did regularly. Shortly afterwards, GM ordered all techs to have NO CHAIRS FOR SITTING. Accusing us of laziness or something at the time.

[@MsFireboy2]

@@parker7953 Time to pack up and leave.

[@parker7953]

@@MsFireboy2 Yeah, that was back in 2019. I stuck it out for a while longer but finally left the industry for good last year. I'm ready to jump back in once the collapse/reform happens. The industry needs young Technicians like me lmao.

[@iver92975]

I asked for a couple dollars more at one shop I was at that had endless work. The owner said that he'd have to think about it. I was doing some 12 hour days and getting things done. I waited a week and asked if he has figured anything out he said not yet. The sign on the door said the hours were 8-5 so when 5:00 came after that i went home regardless if i had things to finish up. Came to work one day and he asked what's the deal you leave at 5 and people need their vehicles. I said you couldn't make a decision so I did the sign says 8-5 and when 5:00 comes I'm done for the day. He responds with an oh. I stayed a couple more months and quit. And now the shop is closed and he built a new shop 15 miles away. Oh

[@parker7953]

I love how our hours are 8-5 but we're expected to go 6-9 on average. I worked at a shop where I felt forced to be there till 8,9,10pm! Every week as I'm walking out the door to my car my boss would go, "So I'll see you (insert day off here) yeah?" like he was catching me in the right moment where I felt forced to say "yes". Couldn't even leave an hour early for my damn birthday, let alone get that day off. No life expected from your fucking boomer boss who's trying to take advantage of me. Almost every independent did this to me, It was only slightly easier to actually leave at 5 on the dot while working at dealerships, but the asshole service advisors are a whole other kind of fucked up prevent you from leaving that damn bay and that damn car to go live your life. Rant done.

[@iver92975]

Yep you’re correct in everything. After 27 years of doing it I took a job at a hospital doing maintenance and I love it. They pay my health insurance, retirement, sick time adds up every pay period along with paid time off. I should have done it years ago. Now I see the owner of where I put in all my work and it’s like I don’t exist to him. Like he said in this video if you don’t like it get out.

[@bigmac-k5t]

Your right FRM! But it's hard to ease back at work when you have suck ups and ass kissers that don't know any better and make it worse. That would make a good rant on your next segment.

[@embreesmith7613]

I make good mo no ey FT

[@AutobahnDan]

I decided I’m going to an hourly shop with 4 10s at $40 an hour, instead of staying at a shop where I’m gonna get offered $50 an hour flat rate! Not worth the stress! That boss can take his $50 an hour and shove it! He’s a narcissistic asshole that demoralizes all his employees and had the BAR called on him twice for selling unnecessary repairs! Toxic shop! Sucks to roll a toolbox out again after just being there for six months and figuring all this out!

[@detailedautodiagnostics]

There is no one else! There is no one else to hire!

[@coexist1018]

Thats right cardboard pizza🍕 🍕 🍕 🍕 every Friday

[@nathandnicholson]

Please excuse my totally unrelated to this video, tool question. I have a Top Don ArtidiagBT800 (similar to the Thinkcar Max2, & based on the Launch platform I think). I cracked the LCD screen. Still functional, & I'd like to replace the screen. However, Top Don doesn't sell replacement parts; neither does anyone else as far as I can tell. Do you know where I can find a replacement screen for this tool? Thanks in advance. Your content is much appreciated, along with your cpu & automotive expertise!

[@eddielee68]

I work 8-5 M-S. Take home pay is $865 a week. Not bad. Find a good shop people and I’m not an A tech yet.

[@1234563221]

I’ve been heavy equipment/truck since I turned 20. Was automotive before that. We actually get our fair share of automotive mostly 1/2 tons and one tons. Once I made the switch to heavy it’s all hourly here in Canada. You make your money on overtime when the work is there. Big hours in summer slow in the winter. I’m willing to work few extra hours to pay for the good life when I can. I also get at least a month off over the holidays and a few weeks in spring. Younger generation can’t seem to handle it.

[@alonzocoston6552]

Just started my second job, I now work 7 days a week. It does suck and I am very tired but being poor makes burnout not my option rn. I can’t wait for my girl to finish nursing school.

[@freedomkingfilms]

I wash cars in a body shop and half the time i get tired of being told this car aint clean enough, or friday everything has to go and i get slammed. bout to just quit and go work at wawa in order to have a lighter work load 15 an hr as a lot guy I know Im better than that but im afraid to quit

[@RIDEONDIRT14]

100% agree with this video

[@HairyOats]

amen brother

[@andrewtamayo3432]

Flat rate dealer tech here, dealing with burn out 🥵 Exactly what I needed to hear. Thanks Mike !

[@jeffl1944]

Start talking about dealers not do much with independent shops please

[@mikekotarba5828]

Thanks Mike for the advice. What is the management group you refer to?

[@mikekotarba5828]

Thanks Mike for your excellent advice !

[@eddieds312]

Thats how AMAZON employees are treated

[@embreesmith7613]

I have also paid my bills on 20 hours

[@twostroke12v71]

We exchange time for money that what work is. We never considered where we lie in this equation: we are the scale that the exchange is occuring.

[@twostroke12v71]

Spanish proverb doesn't translate well

[@jeffl1944]

I work for a dealer only 2 people left on vw dealer been like this for years

[@parker7953]

What dealer? I've worked in majority of Southern California VW dealers, every one had noticeable turnover more than 2 techs at a time.

[@Adam-kk7nw]

I blame bam bam ....

[@honda_doc6826]

Thanks.

[@juanfgonzalez2039]

True

[@Daniel-vz4fq]

100% correct. I am flat rate. However, I work for what my family needs, and then I'm done. I don't worry about the magic number, I do this, so I'm not bored.