Wanted to give this good post a bump from the older ARS Tecnica thread.
FYI,
A lot of TFS techs in our area (SE) were just written up and given B forms or put on a Performance improvement plan (PIP), one was sent home for half of a day. This is directly due to the added task of WiFi mapping, True testing and no extra work credit for all the added time which is resulting in higher HPC. Despite good intentions, every time a new program or compliance is added it’s used for discipline. The L1, L2 and L3 numbers & bonuses are affected and Sh$t rolls downhill. Some wire techs have been fired for numbers. No matter any spin this is directly the reason.
All tech/support staff and managers are now on our SH$T LIST. You think techs that have experience ranges of 19-45 yrs svc all of sudden became poor techs & employees? Most of us get excellent service scores, awards and not many repeats. It’s these Dam$ processes and compliance objectives that are millstones around our necks. When the company went to at risk individual bonuses and ratings it became a game changer for the worse.
I know in trials it’s mostly done in best case scenario's to help sell the program. In the field it is taking way longer to do these task in real world conditions. Bottom line, it’s still mostly just tip & ring, working on same cables using nearly same tools and test sets, fiber is easier than cooper. Only thing changed is equipment on each end.
We appreciate improvements in the field that are meaningful but we have too much bloat wear and compliance objectives. I’ve been outside tech for decades and it has drastically changed in the last 5 years. If you haven’t been in the field In the last 2 years, you don’t understand all the challenges and frustrations we are now facing despite your previous experience.
It’s a totally different job now and accelerating to the negative, it once was a enjoyable craft and career. It’s now become a toxic experience due to all the micromanaging.