Should I feel like my job is threatened? 2

[bradpa77]

I am currently working for the R&D division of my company and I do FE analysis on turbine blades. That's been my primary focus for the last 3 years. As you all may remember, I've been a bit unsatisfied with my career for the last year or more because I want more variety in my work. My job performance has been sub-par for the last year or so due to my lack of interest in the job. In the last 3 months or so I've been asked to work with a consulting firm from India. Basically they want me to train them how to do the FE analysis I do. Reason given by my boss? He wants us to concentrate on more interesting work and give the grunt work to India. Part of me wonders if, instead, he wants to give the grunt work to India and send me packing. I've been agreeable to the whole India consultant thing because in all honesty, I do want more interesting work and I'm being trusting of my boss. I sometimes wonder if I'm being gullible though and digging my own grave. I am keeping my options open and going to interviews. I am interested in my career options anyway but this India thing is just another reason on my list to head for the hills. Add the bad economy to the equation and I'm even more nervous. How would you feel in this situation? Am I overreacting or should I get out as soon as I can to avoid a layoff?

 

[EddyC]

Many of these 3rd party FEA providers are also acting illegally, as they are not state licensed (assuming the work is being provided to a customer in the USA). I've seen that some of them get around this "problem" by claiming to be a subsidiary of their customer's firm or by having a US PE (an outsider) stamp their work. Others just ignore the law.

 

[msquared48]

Personally, it's my opinion with the downturn in the economy and all the layoffs, that unless any outsourcing any particular company is engaged in is ceased, then no layoffs or other downsizing should legally be allowed.

Layoff OUTSIDE the country first, then contract, part time or full time workers as required to keep the copmpany afloat. And consider reducing hours in lieu of layoffs if would suit the employees and company better.

Some attempt at starting to cut off the money drain on the dollar must be undertaken. I know that it's all pie in the sky.

Just my two cents. Now I'll shut up.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

 

[IRstuff]

Based on what business rationale? If you can't be competitive, then what's the basis for keeping the status quo?

It's interesting that there's lots of anti-union sentiment in the Eng-Tips population, but that it stops when it comes to outsourcing ENGINEERING jobs. What's good for the goose should be good for the gander. Perhaps, engineers need to be looking at forming unions?

TTFN

FAQ731-376

 

[KENAT]

IRstuff, you really expect us to be consistent?

KENAT,

Have you reminded yourself of faq731-376 recently, or taken a look at posting policies:

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?

 

[vc66]

I think Mint, KENAT, TheTick, et al have it correct. Use it to your advantage. Also try to make sure (discreetly) that you show them how difficult it would be to outsource this work without you.

99% of the time, if you add some sort of value that others don't, you're safe.

Good Luck.

V

 

[GregLocock]

Confucius, he say " man who can eliminate own job will always have job".

I think the prospect of becoming a liason /senior FEA consultant would be a very logical outcome of this, which you could use to your advantage. You will effectively be responsible for quality control on their analysis, and you should be laying the law down about standards for modelling, and correlation. That may well include rerunning their models to find out what the problem is.



Cheers

Greg Locock

SIGlease see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

 

[tickle]

What about mentioning to the boss that you enjoy the liaison with the Indian office and would like to do more.

A few air miles may or may not be your cup of tea, but a few face to face meetings always helps and would look great on your cv.

Outsourcing is the way that things are going with engineering centres set up in India, Jarkarta, China, Malaysia etc etc. There are still a few hurdles to overcome to making the work flow smooth, but it is only a matter of time, so be there from the begining so you do not have to fight your way in at a later date.

 

[flamby]

I have seen many expats here in India working as head of engineering with Indian staff. Looking at them, they seem to be quite in control and content.

The issue you may discuss with the management is how much control they give you in the back office in India. You may have a very good situation in hand so look closely before making up your mind.


Ciao.