How would you rate this picture?

C,2,2. If employer allows for tech the scrap old parts , then it should be the responsibility of the tech to store that scrap away from the business and to maintain the cleanliness and order of the shop. Remember that this type of scrap pile always poses a risk to the work environment.

That is WAY past due for disposal. That tech is taking advantage of the situation. I don't care how far away the scrap yard is, it was the tech's request to take the stuff. No way in the world that pile belongs in the shop.

C, I hate clutter. 2. my name ain’t Lamont Sanford and 2. I don’t care how far away the owner has to drive to collect his scrap scratch. That being said if I was going to get the money, I’d have hauled it off to get it out the way long time ago.

Looks like a leadership problem to me, who is in charge, and is the person held accountable?

C but I don't loke dealing with the scrap and end up giving it away. I take it the nearest recycler is in Traverse? I'm on Front St. you can have mine if you want it. I don't have a lot right now but your welcome to it. … 436 W Front st

I would not allow it inside. All scrap stored outdoors. Locked up if need be.

That is past due to be emptied. If it is in an area that is customer facing, it is even worse. Sounds like the tech needs to get a pickup with a camper or cover and load it up in the bed as it accumulates. I don't like having junk in the shop, becomes a hazard and takes up needless space. Not to say I don't keep a thing or two around as a visual aid for customers, but usually it is cleaned up…

D.2.2. This is a major hazard for a few reasons: - Bin obstructing a door (exit door?). - Bin not rated for weight (if it splits, that mess is going to be all over the place) - Overflow is a trip hazard. - Unsightly and unprofessional appearance. Scrap should be in a metal bin rated for the weight somewhere outside the building. We have our scrap container by the trash and recycling…

It doesn't matter what the tech thinks and you already know the answers to you questions. I blow a gasket around here if a set of rotors is left past the job that it was done on if you want to know what I think. I even throw a rag on the ground here and there to see which employees step over it and which ones pick it up. His/her mom doesn't work there.

Using your own standard, one might ask why someone else should pick up YOUR rag? Tom

Same reason I PAY them to work on cars for MY business. If I had a crew that was here with the mentality of “not mine, not my problem”.. I would clean house real quick.

Can I come To The Meeting?

C, 2,2

If the boss is allowing the tech to take the scrap, the tech should not be making it the boss' problem by storing it on site unless that was agreed to. He can take it home every night and store it THERE until he is ready to take it wherever. Tom

Scrap disposal is for the business owner to accomplish. Does the tech actually follow the legal requirements for transport (maybe not applicable in your state)? The owner can keep the scrap income separate and use it to buy lunch periodically.

In this case, if I was the shop owner, seeing this, I'd assume it's scrap and discard it appropriately.

c22. when i was a young tech, i did this very thing, cleaned aluminum heads and cases that were headed to the junk yard and took them to a recycler. Eveything I took was cleared with the shop foreman and went directly to the back of my truck, nothing was ever stored at the shop ever!

This a shop issue not a tech issue, because it reflects on the shop. I have a simple rule, and maybe it doesnt apply in every case, but I think it covers the vast majority: the way a shop looks is the way the shop (and it's people) works. As with all of us, there are shops that I wouldn't recommend a person go to to fix their lawnmower. When I see this (the picture), I think: what do they…

There's a rule I recall for interviewing, to dress for the position you want. Personally, I overdress, because your dress prepares your mind for the job at hand. Even when I was freelancing, dressing in office attire helped me to focus. Same thing goes for the shop. Your surroundings prepare you for the job at hand. Working in a dump, then how can anyone have any pride in their work? If they…

D. Unacceptable, needs a permanent solution Most auto techs I've come across are pretty messy, and I think that scrap pile would happen with the majority of techs. Nevertheless, who ever is in charge is the one who decides if it is acceptable or not.

My answer is B,2,2. I think it's a "bonus" that the shop has allowed the tech to profit off of it's operations. Which is a great bonus don't get me wrong, I let my guys keep money from convertors, etc. But I feel like that bin should not be overflowing. For one, your customer's first impression of that sight is not a great one, secondly it is a hazard. A “deal” like that between shop and tech is…

D22. You need a bigger bin, On wheel. Make it convenient cause otherwise you kill shop space. It's easier to move a bin around from one end to the other (which would be outside) than collecting rust. I'm pretty sure you always have a guy that's willing to pick up pay to come at your location. I use to trade a beer for each battery core. Not the cheap beer….

D, 2, 2. IMO makes shop look like a dump. You promote what you permit.

Where are all the mobile techs at???? I walk into some of these shops with rusty parts stacked to the ceiling! And I don't see one spec of oil dry in that photo. No oil stains on the floor and i dont even see any grease anywhere. Come on! Is that really even an auto repair shop? I bet the toilet in that place probably has a functioning handle doesn't it?

Looks like someone lost at a game of Jinga. Like the other comments I'm guessing that other parts of the shop look the same. This is a management issue expectations need to be set and employees and management need to be accountable when they are not met.

Randall: You asked: “how would you rate the attached image, using these four choices:” My answer, D. Unacceptable, needs a permanent solution We have two 5 gal buckets by the door (not blocking the door). We have an older (late 80s) Chevrolet pickup (without engine) in the back lot that we fill the bed. When it is getting close to full we have a few options. There is a “retired” guy with time…

D. Anybody that interested in making pocket change for scrap isn't focused on their future as an auto tech.

D 2 2

True enough. I had a low-level guy who I was trying to work with whose main complaint about working alternate Saturdays was that it cut into driving for Instacart or something like that. Really? He didn't last long after that.

D.2.2 At work I can't stand scrap piles on the floor. At home my garage is a different story. We generate a lot of metal scrap and so there is a 40yd scrap gong on out back. Management takes all the proceeds for sharing with all by buying lunch for various occasions. In your case set up something outside and cover it untill a good haul can be made.

I want to thank everyone for there replies. Here is some follow-up info as a result of replies: This is definitely a leadership problem, and as such my comment to a “permanent solution” certainly was not an indication that the tech should be fired. Maybe the owner, but not the tech. The tech is a typical 30 year old, approaching 10 years in the industry, that might believe he is overworked. Yet…

Past due to be emptied unacceptable in the building , take charge!