I’m seriously considering this after where I work had a driver go, I asked to take their place and was told I’d be required to stay on the plant “because lorry drivers are easier to recruit than plant operators”. Shows how low we’re regarded when I’m deemed more of an asset because I can lift a bucket of sand and drop it in a tipper body.
Anyhow, how do others cope/adapt after leaving employers after many years service (nearly 14 in my case)?
I didn’t have a problem when I left Tilcon after 22 years service, I just worked my fortnight’s notice and went! However I was back in the same quarry a week later but driving for a different firm so it wasn’t like I actually left. I still think that you would be better off staying put, especially with a family, but if you do leave then do it on good terms so that you could always go back again if they would have you! 
Oh and for what its worth I think that machine driver’s ARE harder to come by than plant operator’s so they wont want to lose you.
Pete.
ive just done it last june after nine years,and really didnt want to go but i’m not working on the m25 again!!
i left on good terms and still get on great with my old boss-i tip in his yard most days,and it was his idea for me to go as things were a bit quiet- and he knew i would be parking very local to my house in the new job(1 mile commute instead of twenty odd each way!!)
i knew most of the lads where i work now anyway,which makes a big difference,but your firm dont seem to care much about you,so go-but on good terms.then they’ll always have you back
Unless you go to a similar firm to the one you are now working for,you will find a very different mode of operating tippers.A haulage firm will want you driving on the limiter,whereas a firm such as your current employers doing their own work don’t have to operate that way,
Working for a hire and reward operator is very different to working for an own account operator.
To be honest I’ve always thought the mob you’re with now must be either an incredibly tolerant employer or haven’t got the internet yet.
Own Account Driver:
To be honest I’ve always thought the mob you’re with now must be either an incredibly tolerant employer or haven’t got the internet yet.
^^^^ This ^^^^
Nathan
Have you ever heard the saying ‘Be careful what you wish for’ ?
If you spend as much time whinging at work, about work, as you do when you’re on here I’m surprised you’re not pushing a wheelbarrow let alone a loading shovel!
You’ve had loads of advice recently but you’re obviously unsure whether to listen to it or not… 
If you’re genuinely not happy, leave. If you’re just a bit ■■■■■■ off because you’re not getting your own way, stop acting like a petulant child and get on with the job - keep your head down and stop bleating and your time will come - Patience is the key.
You have a good job for a good firm, who you have mentioned are increasing the fleet? Everywhere else is downsizing - your boss is increasing and you want to chuck your teddies out of the pram and leave? You’re nuts! 
Smiths do value you because you can drive plant and lorries - why wouldn’t your employer place you where they will gain the most from you? They’re paying your wages after all… 
If you do leave, I sincerely wish you luck. Times are bloody tough out there, especially in the construction game. Read again what Dave has said ^^^, then act on it but do something, anything rather than moan about it.
You don’t actually realise how lucky you are…
Dave the Renegade:
Unless you go to a similar firm to the one you are now working for,you will find a very different mode of operating tippers.A haulage firm will want you driving on the limiter,whereas a firm such as your current employers doing their own work don’t have to operate that way,
Working for a hire and reward operator is very different to working for an own account operator.
Had thought of going back where I started as a trainee; They’ve just got into recycled sand and gravel with their own wash plant.
You’re right about working for hauliers, especially as Hanson are scaling down in this area.
Piston Broke, I take on what you say, but I’m peed off that I stayed where I was when I could’ve got a job elsewhere last month; I’d heard the vacancymight be coming up so took advice and stayed put. Now I’m still stuck in the quarry despite there being a spare truck. There’s another driver who wanted to swap jobs-he’s had second thoughts because of the hassle I’ve had.
If I look on the bright side 
I only do Mon-Fri, I cycle to work and I’m home by 5pm.
theres always earthline
I was a docker for 17 yrs and left of my own accord and its difficult because you form relationships with co-workers and earn their trust too and you also earn the trust of the managers/bosses aswell. But in time you’ll get there again.
d4c24a:
theres always earthline
I’ve got Hell Drivers on DVD, but thanks for the suggestion.
the problem with staying with the same employer for a few years is that you loose touch with the real world… you focus on the bad things that is happening at your workplace, and at times these things are very minor, but its surprising how these minor things pee you off…
put from another perspective, they trust you to drive/operate a piece of machinery without causing damage/injury, and looking after said plant, to load their own as well as 3rd party trucks safely, efficiently and not overload or dangerously load vehicles. to know which product is which, and as a standby to drive tippers…
ive seen several folk leave jobs because they are ■■■■■■ off or grass greener ect, i have even done it myself, but it does,nt always work out as it looks… I left my current employer, on good terms though, for a better paid job but got treated like lowest of the low, so i went back. and even though the money is not as good and even now at times i get ■■■■■■ off or things dont go well. i,m glad he took me back and would seriously think harder next time an opportunity comes along.
Dave the Renegade:
Unless you go to a similar firm to the one you are now working for,you will find a very different mode of operating tippers.A haulage firm will want you driving on the limiter,whereas a firm such as your current employers doing their own work don’t have to operate that way,
Working for a hire and reward operator is very different to working for an own account operator.
There is nothing else to add to this. The second best advice you’ll get, except my advice which is to listen to this advice. ^^^^
Muckaway i only pick up bits and bobs of little hints in each different thread. But you seem to being going through some sort of grievance procedure and this is clouding your judgement of what seems from an outside looker seems a pretty good firm. Just chuck this grievance get your head down earn a crust and enjoy life outside work. The only time you should leave a job - is for a job earning more money so you can better yourself, not because you have went in a huff.
merc0447:
Muckaway i only pick up bits and bobs of little hints in each different thread. But you seem to being going through some sort of grievance procedure and this is clouding your judgement of what seems from an outside looker seems a pretty good firm. Just chuck this grievance get your head down earn a crust and enjoy life outside work. The only time you should leave a job - is for a job earning more money so you can better yourself, not because you have went in a huff.
What if the job you’re doing though isn’t the job you like doing?
Muckaway:
merc0447:
Muckaway i only pick up bits and bobs of little hints in each different thread. But you seem to being going through some sort of grievance procedure and this is clouding your judgement of what seems from an outside looker seems a pretty good firm. Just chuck this grievance get your head down earn a crust and enjoy life outside work. The only time you should leave a job - is for a job earning more money so you can better yourself, not because you have went in a huff.What if the job you’re doing though isn’t the job you like doing?
then you should leave if not happy…
Muckaway:
merc0447:
What if the job you’re doing though isn’t the job you like doing?
ask for a pay rise? Ask for four on four off! Four in the quarry, four in the truck! If you ain’t happy, LEAVE on good terms because you never know if you’ll need them in the near future! HTH 
andrew.s:
Muckaway:
merc0447:
Muckaway i only pick up bits and bobs of little hints in each different thread. But you seem to being going through some sort of grievance procedure and this is clouding your judgement of what seems from an outside looker seems a pretty good firm. Just chuck this grievance get your head down earn a crust and enjoy life outside work. The only time you should leave a job - is for a job earning more money so you can better yourself, not because you have went in a huff.What if the job you’re doing though isn’t the job you like doing?
then you should leave if not happy…
Convenience is keeping me there at the moment, Andrew. It’s taught me one valuable lesson though; Never agree to help an employer out. The main reason I’m wanted on the shovel is because there used to be loads of complaints about bad loading and crap haul roads. I stopped this and I bloody wish I hadn’t!
Fatboy slimslow:
Muckaway:
merc0447:
What if the job you’re doing though isn’t the job you like doing?ask for a pay rise? Ask for four on four off! Four in the quarry, four in the truck! If you ain’t happy, LEAVE on good terms because you never know if you’ll need them in the near future! HTH
We’re on fixed wage structures unlike many plant hire firms where your wage could differ from another driver. I had no problem with waiting for a spare truck to materialize and to wait for them to find a replacement machine op, but they have both now but I’m still stuck. I could see a solicitor to have written agreement checked over but it’s a gamble just like appealing a speeding fine and with a family, I can’t afford to risk it.
Can’t you do holiday relief/sick cover to get you out of the yard occasionally?
Just to sort of scratch the itch?