[Raymond]

So I was hired onto Firestone as a lead a tech, I was told I would get a guarent of 32 hrs a week in a mandatory 40 work week. But apparently after a month and with a new store manager coming in I’m required to work 55hrs a week at 30hrs of guarentee. I’m lucky to flag 25 hrs a week, It’s that slow. I at 55hrs a week I don’t feel that I’m bein compensated at 30hrs. How would y’all handle this? I don’t wanna leave because of the time I’ve innbest teach the maintance and c level techs, let alone fixing their machinery, but I also have a wife and child I love and want to spend time with, and I’m only willing to give up time with them if I can guarentee their financially provided for.

[Forst]

If you’re good enough to be a lead tech, take your skills and go to a shop that values your time.

[Chad]

If you’re asking the question, then you already know the answer.

[Allen]

So why does a new manager change your terms of employment? 55 hours a week is the very old way of doing things that wrecked the industry and drove away all the techs. In most states, what you are describing doesn’t even meet labor laws, and this new manager is potentially racking up a gigantic liability for the company. You are under no obligation to stay. Find out where the well paid happier techs are and apply.

[David]

If you’re good enough for lead tech it’s time to leave find somewhere that vaules your skills and time I’m sorry I’m not work 55hr and getting paid for 30 just ain’t no way.

[Ryan]

There’s a reason I left Firestone at the end of my shift and didn’t tell my manager a thing, it’s all a numbers game for the higher ups and to pay you the least, we had a 10 bay shop 6/8 techs daily, and it was always full but since I was only a C tech instead of a lube tech I was tired of being flat rate getting .5 to do a complete inspection and oil change then if I was lucky get another .8 to do 4 tires.

[Terry]

I was also at Firestone. I saw a shop that was heavily profitable with our B tech making 80 hours with plenty left over for our Lead and A tech to equally make about 70 hours go to a shop where they can’t even turn over 50 some weeks with just a manager change.

Don’t do what I did and mouth off and get fired, but definitely do consider other, more efficient locations.

[Justin]

Yeah, man, if you are good and can move and make hours, jump ship. The field is a game right now, I’ve changed shops a few times in the last 12 years and always made more money. If where you’re at can’t afford your skill level, find somewhere that can. I know some independents even that are paying 35 hourly for good guys.

[Richard]

Dude this market is begging for tech talent, get you a good recruiter. Tell them folks to kick rocks. If I work 50hrs you gonna pay me for 40 plus 10hr overtime. Don’t settle for peanuts, get all you can get while you’re young. I’m mean, begging for techs. Then, tool boxes can roll on a truck just as easy as rolling off. There’s companies out there will relocate give you sign on bonus tool allowance. Don’t let unappreciated companies run over you. Talk down to you. Nor disrespect you. Get you a good recruiter an keep them go to the money.

[Jordan]

If you’re barely flagging 25 it’s so slow, and they expect you to be there for 55 while only having to top you up 5 more hours, I’d tell em to kick rocks. I don’t know about you, but 30 a week isn’t enough to get by. And not being compensated for 25 of that and no OT with that expectation is insane. Find a good dealer and go there.

[Ian]

My only question is (sincerely, not trying to be a jerk) why haven’t you quit yet? I know you want to provide for your family and that’s great, but other shops will still let you do that without stealing your family time away from you. Lead tech or not, this Firestone you’re at sounds like an awful place to work. There are lots of places that will treat you better and give you more opportunities to grow your skills.

[Luis]

Tons of jobs out there, if you’re really good at what u do and can run around with our hiccups and can flag your hours on to the next shop, I’ve seen how some shops work they rotate workers like clock work especially when new manager brings their own people

[Tj Kelly]

I did time at Firestone in the late 80’s.

Every day I had to discuss with the manager how I was missing time from each of my jobs. It all added up and sometimes would be up to 2 hours.

Don’t allow them to steal from you!

Look for a municipality job, no flat rate, and they care about your family.

[Shaun]

The industry won’t improve if techs allow shops to walk all over them. Know your worth, stand your ground, but be professional about it. Be firm and leave if they can’t do THEIR job.

[Mary]

Minus the lead tech, I had the exact same issue. On top of that, they would sell shit without proper diag. They sold an intake leak in a late 90s 3.1 gm. Could hear the piston slap when it was drove in. The head coolant ports were completely eroded. Told the advisor it needed an engine. They said no way, they were not even going to try and sell it. The next week when it came back on a tow truck, I used the same tow truck to load my toolbox. When the company you work for depends more on selling credit cards than customer service, GTFO!

[Michael]

Check your paperwork. If it doesn’t say anything about working past 40 tell them to get bent or pay for it.

[Perry]

The only way to make more in this industry is force it. Go down the road, collect a couple offers. Go with the highest and give your 2 weeks. If they value you, they will counteroffer to keep you. If not, you now know how little they value you. Don’t be afraid to move around. The only ones you owe anything to is yourself and your family.

[Jason]

I have a 40hr guarantee and I work Mon-Fri off sat and sun. Firestone is a ripoff I’ve worked there also, I also had my own business but broke my neck, fractured left orbital, had 3 brain hemorrhages. Been out for 2 years.

[Benjy]

Bridgestone Area Management & the numbers game. I was at both Firestone & Wheel Works for a total of 9 years. I saw alot of techs come & go so much I lost count. I did ok & averaged over 70k a year working my ass off. Got tired of the BS & pressure, so I went to an hourly shop after my Wheel Works manager left. He was great & we always had each other’s back. I now make more an hourly but less hours & I’m ok with that.

[Paul]

Talk to your supervisor about transferring to another store I worked for Firestone for 10 years at 2 different stores and never had a problem flagging 40 to 70 hours a week, and you should probably be scheduled for 45 hours not 55!

[Daniel]

I’m not sure about labor laws in your state, but this is Texas. Texas Specifics: The Texas Workforce Commission (.gov) states that employers must ensure employees are paid at least the minimum wage, and if the flat-rate pay, when divided by the hours worked, falls below the minimum wage, the employer must make up the difference.

[Eric]

This is EXACTLY why they put wheels on tool boxes, if you’re not happy lube up them wheels and take your show on the road my friend. Don’t waste your time where you are not appreciated or properly compensated for your skills.

[Geff]

If there was work, and you were only flagging 25 I would understand the managers decision, you suck lol so keep you clocked as much as possible. But if y’all have no work, and he’s keeping you there for 55 to twiddle your thumbs, it makes no sense.

Sounds like you two need to have a sit down and then make your decision.

[Corey]

I am a store manager for Firestone. I would never ask my guys to do this. Currently, during slow season I am trying to have my guys leave early every chance they get to avoid wasting time while we are slow. If you’re short-staffed and management is actively trying to hire, I get it. If that were the case however, you should be over 100% productive due to being short staffed. If you’re short-staffed and work is there, but you are having a hard time being productive, I would then look in the mirror.

If that is not the case, and you are just being bent over, I would explain to my manager I’m not standing around for 55 to get paid 30 because he can’t figure out how to get business in the door. This is very situational, if you want to DM details for a more tailored response, hit me up.

[Author]

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