I was ask a few days ago by a young cutter of 4 years why I staid in the meat business so many years. My answer was I was passionate about the business, I learn quick that it was a trade that would benefit me if I learned it well. I was fortuned that I had a great teacher, the man taught me that if some one made a dollar off a piece of meat I needed to come behind them and make another quarter, NEVER settle for less, NEVER treat one member of your crew differ from the others. Lead by example, do the **** jobs in a market and your help can't bitch about doing them. Be the Boss, Be fair with your help BUT if you tell them to do something twice and it wasn't done, show them the door.
Being passionate about our trade energized me to do my best, energy is everything when it comes to learning our trade, your thoughts, attention, and focus affect your energy and, therefore, everything around you when you in a market. Being passionate took me up the ladder. I have had some great jobs with some great companies, made top pay with them all, I have no regets about my life as a meat cutter, an would do it again if I could.
I would bet that any member here that has been in the business 10 years or over has passion for our trade, understanding in this day and time it can be dulled by somethings , like bad company policy, unions that could care less about meat cutters, dumb ass stores managers & some " Meat Gods " that should be clean boys lol
I HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU, DO YOU HAVE A PASSION FOR OUR TRADE THAT KEEPS YOU IN IT OR YOU IN IT FOR SOME OTHER REASON?
I've been fortunate to work over a decade with chain stores and almost 20 years with independents I've got a perspective, I couldnt get from working at a chain alone, or an independent alone I do believe we all have a progression, and it's a mix, some of maturity and some is with developing people/social/professional skill sets, for example, often we are most impressionable when we are younger, or just starting a new position, this is why it is soooo important to have good trainers /bosses- positive energy, not negative Meat departments can be the school of hard knocks- However, if you are fortunate to have good supervisors that lead by example, this creates a passion and commitment to the trade and loyalty to where you work-and to a cohesive team.
I do have passion for my job- this can be a very rewarding profession, -never lose sight, you are turning cold, dead muscle, into delicious food-you give advice how to prepare meats- you build trust with each and every customer. For every package that goes in the case-not only reflects you, but the whole store. The most rewarding part of my job, is having a positive impact on a meat dept/meat manager
I never thought I would get to this point in my career but I believe I have peaked, I still have a deep love for the job, but I'm afraid the 36 plus years of cutting meat in the environment we do has caught up to me physically and dealing with the pain has really affected my passion for the job.
"It's hard to fly like an Eagle when you work with Turkeys!"
Seriously, I like to think any man of integrity will take pride and passion in his livelihood no matter if he's digging ditches or whatever.. This was not what I meant to do with my life but...
There's been some real highs and lows and this forum has bucked me up through the lows. There are a lot of fine, tough, hard-working highly-skilled people in this business, many of whom are treated like ****, but I'm seeing signs that the tide is turning, so let's keep up the good work!
Passion, being brand new to the industry of course I have passion. After working a year in this industry I find that its the MEAT GODS that have the bad attitude and have lost their passion. They remember the good old days when sanitation was just a word and todays sanitation procedures are looked at as a waste of time. Came in this am and had to clean the department before we could start to do anything. The new ( 25 years experience )guy I hired will have an ear full next shift he works along with a written coaching session. Written coaching session yup cant just show him the door I have to "coach" the guy with 24 years more experience than I have. By the way I am on the look out for a cutter that understands what clean means.
I always liked working with woman, some of the older guys I know, seem to have an issue with a female boss, hopefully you aren't seeing this. Thats THIER problem, not yours) I've had to talk to many guys about this subject thru the years- particularly if the female boss is/was attractive- I told them I'd have 0 tolerance for undermining a good female boss, or making her feel uncomfortable. And thier were times, the cutters went wayy over the line, and that was dealt with swiftly. I like joking around, but Ive always been respectful to woman.
I agree 100% with everything you wrote, but at the same time
Every individual has something unique about them. No matter who you are (boss on not boss), you're gonna get disrespected by coworkers at some point in your life. Someone will find or invent something about you. Something innocent beyond your control and criticize you about it. It's called life. They might be short "oh, he's got LMS", black, overweight, Latino, bald, white, Christian, different (from you) sex life, or no sex life "he needs to get laid". Women need to realize that it happens to everyone and they'd get the same thing but in a different way if they were anyone else. We have a lady in my shop. 1 women and about 15 men. She fits in fine. Everyone likes and respects her. The only problem is a few stupid customers.
-- Edited by Burgermeister on Wednesday 18th of April 2012 01:55:40 PM
Sometimes it's much easier training new habits, than trying to change old/bad habits- to have a daily sanitation checklist helps (and sign) the usda inspectors really like these-it gives you a tangeable history of sanitation records, that, god forbid, if anything happens, (someone getting sick, trying to sue you) Sanitation procedures may come into play-and you are pro-active. Also a checklist is a clear expectation for all.
I always liked working with woman, some of the older guys I know, seem to have an issue with a female boss, hopefully you aren't seeing this. Thats THIER problem, not yours) I've had to talk to many guys about this subject thru the years- particularly if the female boss is/was attractive- I told them I'd have 0 tolerance for undermining a good female boss, or making her feel uncomfortable. And thier were times, the cutters went wayy over the line, and that was dealt with swiftly. I like joking around, but Ive always been respectful to woman.
Sometimes it's much easier training new habits, than trying to change old/bad habits- to have a daily sanitation checklist helps (and sign) the usda inspectors really like these-it gives you a tangeable history of sanitation records, that, god forbid, if anything happens, (someone getting sick, trying to sue you) Sanitation procedures may come into play-and you are pro-active. Also a checklist is a clear expectation for all.
The sanitation record book is to protect the company and make YOU the person who the finger will be pointed at when there's a death/sickness.
The company doesn't allow you enough help to actually do everything you sign for.
It would require a full time 8 hour per day (7 days, not 5) employee to get everything right. I mean someone who has 8 hours to do nothing else but the cleaning, temperature taking and record keeping. No customers, no cutting, no counter filing. Just the record keeping, testing, and cleaning.
Don't get me started. I know A LOT about this. I had to leave a 20 year job over this.
Just a tiny fraction of the problem:
We had a wall deli that was too hot. The company wouldn't fix it. They sent repair people in, but they couldn't fix it. The company didn't do whatever it took to get it working right. Meaning getting better repair people, or getting a new case.
But they wanted us/me to document that it was just fine. I got in a lot of trouble over this and was considered a trouble maker. They wanted me to lie. To falsify documents. Which would be fine, except that I don't lie, and someone could die. The company could claim they were unaware of any problems. In fact I got on the $hit list for writing "reported to the manager that the wall deli is too hot" on the temperature log. They don't want anything like that documented. They only want YOU to sign YOUR name saying everything is OK. They don't care if it's true or a lie. Only that you write what they want.
It's BS and a joke. It would be fantastic if it was true. The records, the temperatures, the washing and sanitation. Get us some help.
I always liked working with woman, some of the older guys I know, seem to have an issue with a female boss, hopefully you aren't seeing this. Thats THIER problem, not yours) I've had to talk to many guys about this subject thru the years- particularly if the female boss is/was attractive- I told them I'd have 0 tolerance for undermining a good female boss, or making her feel uncomfortable. And thier were times, the cutters went wayy over the line, and that was dealt with swiftly. I like joking around, but Ive always been respectful to woman.
I had a lady boss back in 1982. She was an ex meat wrapper, not a cutter. I liked her a lot. A couple people in other stores made fun of the fact that she wasn't a cutter. Or speculated that she's a lesbian. However, everyone in her shop liked her. I think anyone in other stores (who made fun of her) was just jealous of her job or her better gross.
It's interesting that a few women have told me that they prefer working for men. Women don't like female bosses.
I HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU, DO YOU HAVE A PASSION FOR OUR TRADE THAT KEEPS YOU IN IT OR YOU IN IT FOR SOME OTHER REASON?
I stay in it because I'm in too far already. I'm too close to retirement. I wouldn't swim 96% of the way across Lake Michigan and decide it's too far to the other side and swim back.
I used to be very passionate about the business. For the first few years 1978-1982. I thought it was a pretty cool job.
Now I feel like I made a huge mistake by choosing this business. I feel like I didn't come anywhere near my potential. I believe in destiny and this was not my destiny. Like a bad Twilight Zone episode, I took the wrong path. I had a kids summer job that I never quit. Like starting at Burger King, never quitting and someday having the most seniority and being made manager of Burger King.
Most of my friends outside the business make more money than me. My married coworkers wives & husbands makes more money than them. I don't think we get respect from others. Not disrespect, but it doesn't impress the ladies if you say you're a meat cutter. Meat cutter translates to "I work at a grocery store". I'm sure it was different in the 1950s and before. My parents put my brother and sister through college and offered it to me too. But since I was already working in this trade, I saw no need for college. A bad error in judgement.
I'm not ashamed of my job. I feel that if you're working and paying taxes then you're an important member of society. We need plumbers, garbage men & women, janitors, grocery store workers, etc. However, I feel like I'm near the bottom of the totem pole. Don't even suggest becoming a manager. It would still be the same, but maybe more pathetic. I mean if you're that ambitious that you want to manage people, join the Army and try to become a 5 star General. You know who we? People use us as an example to young kids how not to be. They say 'look at them. Do you want to end up like that? You better get good grades and go to college, or else that's your future. Get good grades or you'll be saying "would you like fries with that?" or "paper, or plastic?" OR "what brings you to the meat department today? Would you like to try some cooked shrimp"?'. Times are tough. At least we're working. Sometimes I am passionate about the job. It's neat that I still get to break beef, lamb and veal. I have ups and downs. Since I'm lucky to be at a great store, it's more ups than downs. If I was almost anywhere else (in my area), it would be all bad.
I worked for a large amoured car company for 3 years. I carried a gun and was the manager in their cash logistics vault. Sat on my butt for most of the day and it almost drove me crazy. Dealing with millions of dollars cash every day , corporate customers ( banks ) and dealing with the daily bs that all of that brings. Pay was over 50K a year . Lots of respect. You know what??? Working with your hands, helping people understand what they are buying and how to cook a great meal brings me more satisfaction than I ever had with the old job. When I leave at the end of the day the stress does not follow me home. When I would go home at the other job the stress was on my mind all the time..... WHAT you cant find 50 thousand dollars...... ya, sometimes it is just not worth it. We always think that the grass is greener on the other side of the hill. Ya wish I still had the money but I gladly gave up the pay to start over again and experience something new. Perhaps I am lucky that I am a woman and married so we had another income to support us as I went to school and started over again, but dont sell yourself short. The grass is not always greener on the other side. Try to love what you do, if you dont you have the power to change it.... anything is possible... just ask me a 50 year old woman five foot one 115 pounds starting a new job as a manager of a meat department managing old school men with egos bigger than the empire state building. I dont take crap from any of them. I treat them with respect and expect it in return. I hold them accountable for all their actions and if anyone has an issue with me leading the way they can walk themselves out the door. PEACE
by the way I dont like to work for female bosses, and I like to work with men instead of women because women cry and get their feelings hurt so you have to be sensitive and conciderate when you talk to them. Men are much easier to work with, they tell it like it is even if its something you dont want to hear. Woman in general like to keep the peace so they say one thing but really think another ( I know I am a girl ) I would rather hear exactly whats on someones mind than hear a bunch of bs
I also understand that their is not enough time to complete all of those sanitation jobs that we have to sign off on every day. I told the store manager this but was told the boxes needed to be signed. The district trainer came in and I told him this. He told me do not sign anything that has not been done. After a long talk with the store manager he finally said ok the priority is sanitation before filling any counter..... those are the rules I now preach. If your sanitation jobs are not completed the stocking of the wall and freezers are put on hold till the jobs are done. What I am looking for is more hours and I will prove it to him with documentation that in order to comply with all the rules more manpower is needed. His meat wall and sales will suffer as corporate has put a huge importance on sanitation and their is not much he can do about it
Burgermeister, you're right about the sign offs. I'm asked to sign something everyday that I know is false. The latest "documentation" is burger tests. It's a joke. We're supposed to test a sample of every batch of grind we make--and on a busy day that grinder is going continuously. Whats more, they want us to grind choice bottom rounds straight (no trimming) and sign off that's its over 90% percent lean. If you actually do the test--its never there... Supervisors absolutely do not want to hear it, however, they just want to cover their ass. This goes back to even when we we grinding coarse grind chubs==the percentage was never right on those either.
Anyway, Larry, thanks for being honest. There are a lot of passionate, pro-industry people on this board but most older meat-cutters I personally work with all believe, to some extent, that they made a mistake choosing this business.
Just a plain out love for the business....I got out of it for little over a year, and missed it so bad....glad to be back into it...going on 5 years back now....had over 7 before I left....only left because company went out of business....
Burgermeister, you're right about the sign offs. I'm asked to sign something everyday that I know is false. The latest "documentation" is burger tests. It's a joke. We're supposed to test a sample of every batch of grind we make--and on a busy day that grinder is going continuously. Whats more, they want us to grind choice bottom rounds straight (no trimming) and sign off that's its over 90% percent lean. If you actually do the test--its never there... Supervisors absolutely do not want to hear it, however, they just want to cover their ass. This goes back to even when we we grinding coarse grind chubs==the percentage was never right on those either.
Anyway, Larry, thanks for being honest. There are a lot of passionate, pro-industry people on this board but most older meat-cutters I personally work with all believe, to some extent, that they made a mistake choosing this business.
Thank you Meat Monkey. I was feeling a little guilty for writing that. I appreciate what your support.
MMEIRING, I see your point too. I'll probably miss it after I retire.
If you care about your display and you get annoyed when your co workers put in substandard looking cuts. You get annoyed over sloppiness. If that sounds like you then I would say you are still passionate about your job. Sure everything you said up there is very true and very discouraging but if you care you are passionate in my opinion. Now if you look at that sloppiness of the other guy and you just shrug and think "So what, I am just here to get a pay check" Then you are defintly not passionate about your job anymore.
I still have a passion for this buisness, I love making my case look great and take great pride in it! I have found what can take your passion away quick is working for a jerk, so if you are in a bad situation with a manager thats an idiot find another job, its worth it to have your passion back. On the note about women, I was assistant to the manager in a dept of all men, I worked just as hard or harder than them, they all worked hard for me and they respected me for it and never had one problem with them! There can be an occasional male that is an idiot but for the most part working with guys is better women are drama prone and can be back stabbers. Guys just yell about it, and get over it and its business as usual. Thats how I am too. :)
Yeah, I guess I still care. I fight for quality every day (and fight for the first beer afterwards).
I like working with women, they tend to care about their work with a lot less ego. The woman on our crew now is a lot tougher and less sensitive than most the guys LOL.
DO YOU HAVE A PASSION FOR OUR TRADE THAT KEEPS YOU IN IT OR YOU IN IT FOR SOME OTHER REASON?
Passion is really important for sure, don't you see dispassionate people in all different fields of work alot? I have a family and this career gives me everything i need (not everything i want) i work no night shifts, my schedule rotates so there is never a dull moment, I get to work with people and take pride in meatcutting, sometimes i even get two days off a week, benefits and pension are decent, and the pay is alright (enough to get by)
To Burgermeister: I have been in the meat business off and on for 6+ yrs and every career has good and bad. I have had a few different career changes in the last few years, came back to meat. Even though i'm positive about my choice now, I can sympathize with what you posted here.
I wonder if I have made the right choice and only time will tell, and I hate the stigma attached to working in retail
you say you know people who make more money, but are they passionate and happy with their career and personal life too? some people work nearly every day, big houses, big debts! nice cars, boats whatever, they fill their lives with pointless things. I get to see my wife and kid every evening which means more to me than money. Many people spend years of time and money for nothing at college and change their mind too! I like Sunday's post and want to add that you can change your situation at any age, it is never too late.
so if you were to quit your job today and could do any other job, what would it be?
maybe do a full time job doing something else and cut meat part time?
there are solutions out there
love this site, it's great to be able to discuss these common issues
