Hi. I got a ft job recently after graduating poly last year. this is not my first job, but I mostly did short term pt jobs only.
My new job is to deal with manufacturing quality issue(check if product meets standard). So I work together with the manufacturing coworkers( they deal with quantity - aim is to complete as many products as possible).
As it is the manufacturing department running/manning the machines, whenever I want to use a machine, I need to ask them if they can give the machine to me. We have a few measuring machines(used to measure product thickness), and its always in use because there are many products to measure.
The issue arises when I needs to use the measuring machine to inspect products because both departments rely on the same machine to do their job. As manufacturing personnel are the ones running & manning the machines, I need to ask them if they can give me the machine to use.
I often find myself feeling as if I am imposing on them, thus I would approach them hesitantly to ask if I can measure a certain number of products. Even though measuring products is part of my job, I feel as though I am asking for a personal favor rather than requesting access to necessary equipment for my job.
The situation also leaves me feeling that I am always at a disadvantage. If manufacturing refuses to let me use the machine, I have little choice but to find an alternative measuring machine, approach them again later, or delay my work. This may lead to the next shift questioning my productivity despite circumstances beyond my control.
Although they sometimes allow me to use the machine, I feel like I am intruding on them, which makes me feel pressured to rush through my tasks.
On one occasion, I asked to measure 25 products, which I estimated would take an hour or less. However, the person in charge of the measuring machine refused to let me use it, even during their lunch break. This left me feeling angry and anxious because I felt that my job was being treated as less of a priority. When they left for lunch, my senior and I took the opportunity to use the machine, but we were unable to finish before they returned. Upon their return, their tone made me feel as though I was being pressured to remove my products immediately to make way for them, leaving me feeling that my work had to take a back seat to theirs.
More recently, another questioned whether I had obtained permission to use the machine. This made me feel as though I had done something wrong, even though I had already obtained permission from the person using the machine before me and I was simply trying to fulfil my job responsibilities(in hindsight, maybe my senior asked the wrong person. But the person in charge of the measurement machine for that shift was known for restricting our access to it through various excuses).
Over time, this has made me increasingly anxious whenever I need to use the measuring machine. I find myself worrying about how to approach them, whether they will allow me to use it, and whether my work will be treated as less important than theirs. I also feel pressured to work without making any mistakes, as every additional minute spent using the machine makes me feel that I am imposing on them.
The problem is not that the machine is shared between two departments, but the arrangement of it makes me feel as though I have to justify and seek approval for carrying out my own responsibilities.
My senior also constantly emphasizes the importance of maintaining good relation with manufacturing. However, I interpret this as needing to befriend them, engage in small talk, and stay in their good graces to gain access to the equipment. This stresses me out because it makes me feel that if I am not on good terms with them, I have to be submissive to their demands, even when I am simply trying to fulfil my job responsibilities.
On the other hand, I may be generalizing from a few negative experiences, reinforced by my senior’s constant reminders about maintaining good relationships with manufacturing. This anxiety seems to stem from my desire to avoid feeling that my work is being belittled, treated as a lower priority, or that I have to put myself in a subordinate position to fulfil my responsibilities.
During my probation review, I mentioned to my supervisor that it was sometimes difficult to access the measuring machine due to the attitude of the people in charge. However, his response was that this was simply how things are. This left me feeling that my concerns were being downplayed and that little could be done to address the situation. I also felt that my supervisor might have limited influence over the matter, as he was also an employee working within the same system despite the higher job title.
I’m not sure how to manage my emotions so that, when it happen again, I can remain calm and composed rather than feeling intimidated, anxious, or emotionally affected by the interaction.
I had read about power dynamics before, but this is the first time I have truly experienced what it feels like to be powerless especially when I believe that both department are on equal footing.
I was genuinely looking forward to spending the next few years growing in this role, but lately, I find myself feeling anxious every time I go to work. It is disheartening because I want to focus on developing my skills, yet I feel that I am constantly navigating these power dynamics just to carry out my responsibilities.
TLDR:
Lack of autonomy: I cannot independently carry out my work because access to the machine depends on another’s decision.
Power dynamics & Pressure to maintain good relations: Although quality and manufacturing have different responsibilities, I feel pressured to stay in manufacturing’s good graces to access the machine, and the current arrangement making me feel as though I have to be submissive to get my work done.
Anxiety from uncertainty: Every time I need to measure products, I have to anticipate a possible refusal or an uncomfortable interaction.