<strong>BrandNewRCA said </strong>
"New hire here just attempting to sift through the peculiar experience that has been my training and orientation. There seems to be a very pervasive assumption that I am going to quit the position. I've been told by every employee/manager/instructor that the job is hard and extremely overwhelming. It's unlike any other hiring/training experience I've encountered. They've apparently implemented a new program to try and remedy CCA & RCA complaints about lack of prep, however it still has included hardly any actual prep for on the job work. A lot of it seems to be preparation for fighting with managers and supervisors. Things like, "They're going to ask you to do A, B and C, but those aren't your job so don't let them do that." Well, uh, shouldn't you be talking to them about that?"
---- Ok. First off, the job is very overwhelming. I've seen people break down and cry. Not kidding. The new program comes in with the on the job training. The orientation you went to was essentially to get you in the system so that you can be paid, so your background check can be completed, to show you very outdated videos concerning how to not steal, and to start drilling into you the importance of safety. These lessons take time to complete. Yes management will try to make you do things that you don't have to do. I wish someone would have given me that heads up. Took me a few months to figure out exactly what was and what was not my job.
"I still haven't received a definite set of instructions for how to perform the job itself. I figured there'd be a binder with clear instruction on check in procedure, the order of events, a map of the route with a list of addresses that could be easily followed. The job shadowing day was the most enlightening, and was the first practical chunk of information I've received despite a painful 40+ hours of training I've already been through. What in the heck are these folks doing? I've driven my own vehicle 3 hours to training sessions at 7am with no offer of compensation for my gas or time spent commuting. I have also not been consulted at all in the scheduling of my training, often being informed 1 or 2 days prior that I am expected 140 miles away. All for training sessions that are mostly powerpoint and DVD based and easily could be conducted online or on site at the job. I've been doing the run around for three weeks and haven't been paid."
-- Your on the job training (in office) is supposed to be where you learn the real nuts and bolts of the job. I mean different offices are set up and run differently, so an academy trainer can't really show you the little things (like where the DPS is, because some offices distribute it to your case, while others put it in a central location, and others don't have DPS to begin with). Check in procedure: walk in, go to your case, grab the time sheet, and write what time you arrived on it. Simple as that.
-- As for the route map, yeah that'd be nice. If you're lucky, your route has a complete and accurate Form 4003 (Route information with a list of turn by turn directions). The last 2 days I've been learning routes without a decent 4003. Thankfully Google knows where things are.
-- Compensation: Sometimes you have to "remind" management about compensation. In this case, you should be paid approximately $.53 per mile through eTravel. It's entirely wrong that you sometimes have to fight to get paid, but it's the nature of the beast.
-- Training online or on site: If they did that, they couldn't confirm that you were actually watching the videos. In the office someone would have to continually be checking in on you and dealing with that system when they have so many other things to do. If you think things were missed at orientation and academy, just imagine what an overworked manager would miss.
-- Short notice: Yup. That's how this place operates. The schedule is fluid, especially for subs. One day we look at the schedule for next week and see nothing for ourselves to do. And then out of the blue we're working well into OT. That's what being a sub is like.
"If this is their corrected and improved program, I can only imagine what previous hires had to go through. I'm not the type to quit something because it's hard, and I have no intention of leaving. I understand it's a huge company and trying to coordinate such massive hiring is difficult. But the glaring inefficiencies are not setting a great tone. Not once has someone treated me like I am an important new member of a team that they are very keen on keeping around. It's not something I've ever experienced on previous jobs. I'm pretty darn qualified, I work hard and I don't complain on the job. Typically when I join a team, people are pleased I have done so. Not trying to sound arrogant, just don't want to come across as some whiny, entitled, lazy worker who balks at the idea of a stressful work environment. That's why this has been such uniquely frustrating experience."
-- You are not an important member of the team, in reality. None of us are. Not subs. Not regulars. We can be replaced by someone tomorrow. If you want to be regarded as an important part of the team, you have to move well into upper management. Until then, you're replaceable and there's definitely someone waiting for your job. I don't mean to sound so harsh, but again, it's the nature of the beast.
-- Glaring inefficiencies: Yup, you work for the government now. This morning I had to attend a meeting with 2 other RCA's and 2 people from district management. Those district managers make well over 100k and have the job of going around and going over safety practices, begging us to call them and not OSHA if we spot serious safety issues, and telling us how to move up in the organization. That 40 minute meeting easily cost the PO $800 by the time they paid the RCAs and the managers, their mileage, and 3 boxes of donuts. That's how government works.
"To sum up a wordy message, I am glad to have found a site where I can vent my frustrations without fear of repercussion or of losing respect among my coworkers. If anyone has any insight or tips for a new RCA, it'd be much appreciated."
-- Tips: Use this site. There's a tips and tricks article somewhere. I think it's in the knowledgebase.
EDIT: <a href="https://knowledgebase.ruralinfo.net/kb/tips-techniques-for-new-rcas/">Here's the link to the tips and tricks page</a>
