Boss tries to push construction engineer to apply for demotion to lower-level lower-pay position when their contract ends, claiming he’s not invested enough: ‘I don't live for my projects. And I don't see how that's a bad thing’

This manager basically pulled out the old you are not obsessed enough with your job speech and expected it to land like helpful feedback instead of a walking red flag. The contract engineer shows up, does the work, hits what needs to be hit, and gets told the issue is not competence, it is that everything feels like just doing tasks. What the manager actually wants is someone who breathes rebar, dreams in deadlines, and treats every project like a personality trait.

From the worker's side, it is a lot simpler. The job is fine. The rent needs paying. The brain, however, is mostly busy with Kendo competitions and a cosplay deadline in six months. Work gets a reasonable amount of energy. Sword fighting and crafting angel armor get the rest. That balance makes sense in any universe where people are allowed to be three-dimensional and not simply a company-branded hoodie with a pulse.

Author image for Etai Eshet Etai Eshet
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  • "You’re only doing your tasks to do your tasks" and that's a bad thing?

    A construction worker in a hard hat and safety vest looks down at a tablet at an outdoor job site.
    via Sayan Puangkham

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

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  • I'm working contract per contract, meaning that I sign up for a year, and after a year, I have to renew my contract.
    via Rhaenelys
  • Today, my manager asked me to apply for the position under the one I'm currently working at.
    via Rhaenelys

  • This little lecture comes packaged with a suggestion to apply for a lower position that would not even cover rent. All while the current role sat empty for a year until the salary climbed high enough. So the company that could not fill the job now wants more loyalty than the paycheck can reasonably buy and warns that anyone more “experienced” might replace the person currently holding the place together.

  • His main argument is that I'm lacking experience for the position of manager. Fair enough, I'm only 28, I applied for that job after my previous contract ended and couldn't be renewed (I'm a construction engineer, once the construction is done, I'm out.
    via Rhaenelys
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  • It bothers me a lot, but I haven't find a position where I can stay long term and pays a reasonable salary).
    via Rhaenelys
  • was anxious, I didn't think I would qualify, and it's safe to assume I still have a lot to learn to be a proper manager.
    via Rhaenelys
  • A construction worker in a hard hat and safety vest looks down at a tablet at an outdoor job site.
    via Sayan Puangkham

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

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  • This doesn't bother me. But here is the thing: my manager the told me that he was under the impression that, athough I always do what he asks me to, he is under the impression that I only do my tasks to do my tasks, and that I'm not fully invested in my projects.
    via Rhaenelys
  • He wants someone who can live for them. I mean, I don't live for my projects.
    via Rhaenelys
  • And I don't see how that's a bad thing. Yeah, I lack on initiative, I know that (I'm working on it).
    via Rhaenelys
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  • But I think that, even 5 years from today, I still won't live for my projects.
    via Rhaenelys
  • I will still do my hours, sometimes more when there is a lot of work, and I will reasonably invest myself in my work, but that's it.
    via Rhaenelys
  • I care less about my work than my Kendo competion, or my cosplay Turnabout in 6 months.
    via Rhaenelys
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  • I reasonably like my job, but I live to craft my angel armor and battle those filthy pirates for the glory of my king
    via Rhaenelys
  • He warned me that, if someone with more experience apply for my place, he will hire them.
    via Rhaenelys
  • I'm not too worried, my position hasn't been filled in 1 year, they had to massively increase the salary before I applied.
    via Rhaenelys
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  • The position under comes with a major pay cut for me, I wouldn't be able to pay my rent with it.
    via Rhaenelys
  • Plus, due to stupid laws in my country, whe you work contract per contract, insurances don't cover you, so it was already a pain to find a proper appartement, I don't think I can find another one.
    via Rhaenelys
  • So, I'll only apply for my current position, and work on myself to compensate my lack of experience.
    via Rhaenelys
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  • There is nothing wrong with being good at your job and still caring more about having a life than worshiping a project plan. If a manager wants someone to live for the work, that is a them problem, not a character flaw.

  • But I'll also apply for other jobs that will still pay a reasonable wage.
    via Rhaenelys
  • inputwtf What do they want, a song and dance as you do your tasks like a Broadway show?
    via Rhaenelys
  • OP Rhaenelys He wants more personal and moral investments. But I guess a Broadway show anytime I complete an excel sheet would be nice...
    via Rhaenelys
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management terrible coworkers workplace discussion employment issues boss workplace-stories hr manager bosses work coworkers colleague PTO managers supervisor workplace Horrible Bosses work-life balance
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