Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Job Burn-Out

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Posted by Timothy Ervin (Member # 733) on 07-18-2003, 09:35 PM:

Ok, I have to ask the question , after doing this work for 16 years, am I burned out, do I just need a break or should I look for work in another field. I am at the point where I now have an ulcer, am very stressed, have trouble sleeping and have no problem going off on an employee or customer.

The last two years have been rough. Two of the theatres I was managing closed, then after moving across country to work for another company I unfortunatly found out that it was not the answer to my problems I was hoping for. Plus, I have not had a vacation in 3 years. Seems like the theatre business has changed so much-just in the last five years alone.

It used to be fun and I enjoyed going to the theatre and would work LONG hours and days and even on my day(s) off I would go by the theatre to check on things. Now, I count the minutes until I get to leave. Some of my complaints:

*Customers are constantly complaining about everything (I guess thats nothing new, but it seems to have increased within the last few years).

*Good staff is hard to find.

*It's all about number crunching and paper work and emails and getting your ass chewed because of the least little thing.

*The theatres expect you to be on call 24/7 but they sure do not want to pay you for the extra hours.

*Your expected to have a cell phone that you mostly use for theatre related business but the company does not want to reimburse you for the calls.

*You are supplied with a pager that is always beeping, at the most earliest hours in the morning from the corporate office staff , who get to work a normal work week and even though you had to close your theatre the night before and did not get into bed until 3 AM, the corp. staff expects you to be up and ready for their calls at 9AM.

*Managers are getting chewed up for the building maintenance, but the company does not want to spend any money.

My list of complaints could go on and on. I'm sure that everyone has a few of their own to add to the list. Bottom line is that I really love the theatre business, it's in my blood and its hard to think of doing anything else but I need advice, a break or something. Maybe I should look into managing for a smaller company with less demands. If anyone else has experienced burn out or a situation like this what have you done to get thorugh it?

I have seen alot of good, long term managers who have left the business within the last four years because of all the stress. What is happening to this industry? [Confused]

Posted by Sam Hunter (Member # 1119) on 07-18-2003, 10:53 PM:

If its no fun anymore then move on. That being said with todays job market and all that bullshit jumping ship may not be the thing to do.

Taking a vacation would be a good thing to do and changing the way you handle things may help as well. In other words don't take shit personal or it will eat you alive, I know , been there done that, had counseling to help out and learning to thing things in a different light helped me out. I am still paranoid but gotta have something wrong I guess. I know a lot about burnout as I reached it some years ago with my previous job. Just got to the point I didn't give a shit. I finally got promoted and was given a better position that allowed me more flexibility and I got rejuvenated.

Anyway, hang in there, buy some nice Hawaiian shirts, find a beach somewhere and watch chics [thumbsup]

Things will look better [Wink]

Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 07-18-2003, 11:07 PM:

Timothy, that's Corporate America. It is all going to hell in a handbasket.

Today I read that Boeing is going to lay off another 4,000 to 5,000 salaried workers by year's end.

As for the burnout, remember this: "He who does much, much more is expected." In conjunction with what you posted, what I said will add to it.

Posted by Gerard S. Cohen (Member # 994) on 07-18-2003, 11:32 PM:

The situations you encounter may be reality and caused by the nature of the industry at present, which you did not cause and over which you have no control. However, they cause you much dissatisfaction and make you increasingly irritable.

A vacation with travel to another location, and reestablishing a good social life outside your workplace would be good for your mental and emotional health.

When I was in college preparing for a teaching career, one of my textbooks, written by a PhD named Levin, had a chapter on "The Mental Health of the Teacher" that was invaluable for me.
People who serve the public and must interact with others at work, are like teachers surrounded by immature minds. Sandwiched between superiors and subordinates all the time can grind one down. Periodic escape is necessary.

Also, it may be a good time for a complete physical exam,
since good physical health provides a foundation for emotional
health and contentment.

All the best,
---Gerard

Posted by Jason Black (Member # 684) on 07-18-2003, 11:40 PM:

Timothy,

I'm right there with ya buddy. I've been with the same company for almost 16 years and I'm close to wits end as well. Noon shows, late shows, 13+ hour days, unmerciful customers, out of touch supervisors who don't care WHAT you think, LOW WAGES, unmotivated labor pool, the list continues. They all are wearing me thin.

While I do LOVE what I do, I think it's more who I'm working for. I have those customers whom I really love to see and talk to, but it's to the point that I simply do not care any longer. Well, let me correct myself... It's not that I don't care, I do, rather, it's the complete lack fo acknowledgement form our corporate office that blows me away...

Keep all your numbers in line (on a yearly basis), see that income is up and expenses are down, increase per caps, not lose a SINGLE SHOW and you don't hear a damn word.

Let one lady bitch because there was a piece of toilet paper on the floor during a 7:00 rush (with 7 out of 16 shows starting at 7pm -THANKS TO YOUR HOME OFFICE) and you are the most inept individual ever to walk the face of the earth. See demeaning, or less than motivating, emails come through about everything WRONG with an operation and never a Thank you, Good job/etc... and you eventually drive off your competent, loyal employees. I've seen this happen on numerous occasions. Rule by intimidation not by example. What a complete and utter crock of [bs]

A "Thank you so-and-so, you've done a really good job recently" or better yet, when you receive a positive feedback on your feedback forum/card/etc, LET THE EMPLOYEE KNOW!!!!!! Dont' simply send them all the negativity. You demoralize them when this is done...This works from the bottom of the line to the top.. from Janitor to CEO.

Paul is correct, Corporate American has gone to shit. This industry, or some of the companies in it seem to be some of the worst there are.

Anyone taking applications? Better yet, Anyone listening ? [Big Grin]

Posted by Aaron Mehocic (Member # 15) on 07-19-2003, 10:43 AM:

Yeah, I'm listening and I hear you. I'm going on 13 years in this industry and it HAS CHANGED. Like all of you, I love what I do and thats why I can't leave. On the other hand, Jason is exactly right - corporate can give a shit less about us. At the end of this month I will receive an hours cut that will probably finish me off and force me into the DEAD JOB MARKET. I have never asked for a raise, benefits package, or extended time of for whatever reason in all the years employed here. I am loyal to this company and feel that at times (not always - but mostly) go above and beyond my job desription in terms of maintenance work, using personal tools and equipment for projects not requiring my help, and a general overall concern for the operations of this company - both mechanically and fiscally. Sad to say, but after almost 13 years this is how I'll be hanging it up.

Edit: Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you how this job ruined a seven year relationship with a perfect woman who just couldn't understand why I just couldn't move on [Roll Eyes]

Posted by Timothy Ervin (Member # 733) on 07-19-2003, 04:20 PM:

You guys know wxactly what I am talking about. See, here are some long term seasoned managers burned out and looking to leave the business they love because of a lack of compassion and understanding from the corporate office staff.

And, as far as relationships go, being single and trying to find someone who is willing to put up with the crazy hours we work is almost impossible. I too have lost out on some good relationships because of the weekends and holidays that I have had to put in this business.

You would think that since corproate employees get to see their families and loved ones during these important times that they would understand that their managers would like that opportunity as well. I am not saying that we should have every weekend and holiday off, but it would be nice to have lets say one weekend a month free and at least one major holiday free as well. I am a firm believer that if your personal life is not successful, then your professional life will not be as well.

Jason, the only people who are listening are the managers. I dont think the corporate people give a shit. [Frown]

Posted by Ken McFall (Member # 845) on 07-19-2003, 05:58 PM:

Seems the water between us makes no difference to life here.

A company I know has one director who shouts and swaers at people and has lost personal secretarys because of his tantrums. But in the same breath he will be happy to tell his managers and staff off for similar behaviour. YOU are expected to motivate your staff while YOU are treated like [bs]

Bonus systems are changed without even a mention to managers that it's been done. And major poicy decisions are imposed without any consultation what so ever.

I sympathise fully with what you are going thru. So what's the answere....

1 Dump your self respect its clearly getting in the way.

2 Pride gets in the way so Dump that as well.

3 Family and friends are your concern. If they cause you grief then Dump them. After all they don't pay your wages.

4 Sick, or feeling unwell. Then you are not fit to work for us... so we'll Dump You!

5 Compliments and praise are lighter than air and shit so they can drift up the hierachy ladder. You being further down the ladder are therefore left with all the heavier that air stuff.... ie shit.

It's so true that the more you can do, the more that is expected of you. Guys that just coast along can do so because no one expects more of them. They can't be sacked for it because they are doing the minimum expected. Guys like you pick up the slack and get all the grief because you are noticed.

Don't walk away from it, find a way to deal with it that allows you to hold onto your self respect. If it's not in your contract to have a mobile phone with you at all times... start 'forgetting' to take it with you. Let people know you're going to be away for a couple of days and won't be available. Then make sure you're NOT! And finally your home telephone number is your's and paid for with your money. Change the number or get rid of the phone. Your partner can always get one in their name and don't give it out to anyone except your friends.

I've done this in the past and it's very effective, overnight! [Big Grin]

Or if you have caller display then screen all your calls.

There is a minimum time off between shifts in this country, 11 hours, I'm sure there must be something similar there. Enforce it. If the phone rings then ignore it, you were after all fast asleep.

It's easy to rhyme off a list of things to do.... but at the end of the day you have to feel strong enough to do it. But it's for them to show you are being unreasonable not you.

Give and take is a very important concept in any employment relationship. What everyone here has displayed is a great willingness to 'give'. I'm not suggesting you should 'take' just be less willing to 'give' so much.

It's very difficult to change the habit of a lifetime but for your own sake you need to learn ways to get some of your needs, if not recognised then at least, tolerated.

Hope you all find some way to achive some of what you want.

Regards Ken.

Posted by Darren Crimmins (Member # 1116) on 07-19-2003, 06:00 PM:

Timothy said,

"Your expected to have a cell phone that you mostly use for theatre related business but the company does not want to reimburse you for the calls."

I know precisely what you mean. At my last booth manager position, my general manager wanted me to get a cell phone because he apparently was not able to get ahold of me 24/7.( First of all, unless it is an emergency, I should not be getting a call from him at all, and if they can't get me, that is what our technician gets paid for.)

Anyway, I said sure, just let me know when the company gets it to the theater and I will keep it were I can get to it when I am not at work. But he said that I had to get it myself! I told him I could not afford it (even though I could, but that is not the point or any of his business). And also said that I am not on call when I am not at work, unless I will be getting paid extra for being "on call". If I was around the phone or at home when he or the theater called, I would answer, otherwise, leave a message and I will get to him when I can. Needless to say, he didn't like that. I eventually left soon after that with regards to other bullshit added on top of that.

I guess alot of theaters think that you should be on call when not at work or that you have no life. My rule of thumb is that if I am not at work, work can wait for me to get back to them unless it is a total emergency. I am not on thier time, they have no right to assume they can get ahold of me. They can just leave a message and I can decide if it can wait until I go back to work or can call them when I get a chance. For me when I am at work, I am there to do my job. When I am at home, I do not take work home with me.

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 07-19-2003, 08:46 PM:

It amounts to abuse, pure and simple. Just like Ken McFall's ordeal, these companies are taking huge liberties these days, and getting away scot free with many unlawful practices. Since the unions have been busted, it's gotten really bad.

What's going to have to happen, is working conditions will deteriorate to the way it was in the early 20th century, and necessitate the formation of unions all over again. It appears to be headed in that direction. No one learns from history, so it repeats.

Posted by Ron Lacheur (Member # 1126) on 07-20-2003, 05:14 AM:

Something's gotta happen, no one is going to put up with employer abuse and shit wages for much longer.

Posted by Travis Hubrig (Member # 1745) on 07-20-2003, 02:31 PM:

I've been there.

Remind yourself what you like/love about the job and the industry. Try to forget about the things you don't like.
You need to weigh the advantages and disadvantages.

TAKE A VACATION!
Nobody can work forever without a break.
Remember that life is short you need time for yourself.

I feel burnt out constantly.
Good staff can help make your job easier but a bad staff can make your job impossible.
In the past year I have joined multiple activities including a softball team and a Mens Hockey team. I look forward to participating in these and to forget about work for a few hours each time I play. Sometimes it is hard to take time off for these things, but planning ahead a few extra days and sticking with the plans will help. If your staff knows that you are unavailable during these activities they will learn that they have to rely on themselves for that shift/day.

What keeps me going when I get stressed about my job, is the customers that come and DON'T COMPLAIN and how they enjoyed the service and the product we sell them. They don't usually thank us for it, but walking around in the theatre and exiting shows you will see it as they leave. When I get upset over operation or corporate issues, I walk into the theatre and talk to some of the customers to insure that they are satisfied with their visit.

Keep on Truckin'

Trav

Posted by Justin West (Member # 920) on 07-20-2003, 09:30 PM:

This talk reminds me of the thread on the kids who walked out on their employer-theater near Boston. "Corporate Greed" has taken over the operation of businesses in America. The little people be d@mned, are stepped on, taken advantage of while the biggest honchos rake in the cream off the top. CEOs are not hurting but the people who toil to make the company go, who run the theaters, who ensure a good performance/presentation, who deal directly with the customers...they are are used and abused and tossed aside like garbage...and if you don't like it, the corporation will find somebody else to take the lousy wages. That's why you end up with poor help, staff with bad attitude, people who are incompetent or don't care. This is why we need unions and labor law protections...and a change in society to recognize that if the little guy gets stomped to death, who will be next (it will just move up the ladder). Thus, as projectionists and technicians are dumped as too much of an expense by the corporation, who takes over the responsibilities? The theatre manager, that's who! And he'll be on call 24/7 for low wages. We're all in this together.

Posted by Kevin Baglow (Member # 721) on 07-21-2003, 10:03 AM:

It's just the pecking order. We peck on the kids in the front row and the studios peck on us. The only way to get over it is to have a good holiday-- Somewhere you dont speek the language is good.

Posted by Timothy Ervin (Member # 733) on 07-21-2003, 03:26 PM:

I really do not want to leave the business, but would love to start over with a good, un-micro managed company. One thats not too big, not too small. Anyone have any suggestions?

Posted by Ken McFall (Member # 845) on 07-21-2003, 03:49 PM:

God DON'T work for a small company....

The problem is that the top boss has hands on with their staff.... you fall out with them and you're f##ked.

At least with a larger company you are still a number and your immediate boss has a boss who has a boss. If you fall ouit with your immediate boss there is some appeal, if they allow it and don't hold it in your absence!!

Small companies are small minded and anything that happens is very personal and immediate. Small companies also tend to be hypocritical in the way they deal with things.

Whats fine one day may not be the next. As it's all done on a one to one basis there tends not to be a firm written policy to fall back on if things go wrong. What was said after all may not have been what was intended and its your job to know what was ment.... not what was said.

I worked for a small distributor and it was a farce.... one of the directors was always drunk and would come in and shout and swear...do this do that..... He would leave and one of the other directors would come in and say why are you doing this and why are you doing that. Try making sense of that!.

There were three directors, two were devorced and the third was the partner of one of them... They do say life is stranger than fiction...

At least with a larger company they have procedures that, you may not agree with but, do provide you with an element of security. Nothing is perfect but a larger company 'can' offer more.

[ 07-21-2003, 04:54 PM: Message edited by: Ken McFall ]

Posted by William Hooper (Member # 71) on 07-22-2003, 02:06 AM:

When they specify that they want your beeper or cellphone number (or want you to get one):

Being on 24 hour call costs extra. Tell them that.
Figure out how much more it would take to make it worth being on 24 hour call.

If they want to pay slightly above minimum wage, & say they want you on 24 hour call, look at them like they're crazy. They're either trying to see how much they can screw you for, or they really are crazy. They know that. Think of how much they're paid, & if they'd be on 24 hour call.

The bottom line for your price sheet is though:
Being on 24 hour call costs extra.

They expect you to be a professional. You are a professional. You must have a professional viewpoint about how much you work for, & how you price your service.

Posted by Leo Enticknap (Member # 534) on 07-22-2003, 11:16 AM:

quote:
There were three directors, two were devorced and the third was the partner of one of them... They do say life is stranger than fiction...

My experience has been that workplace relationships are very bad news whatever the size of the company or organisation. If you're in one (which I never have been and never want to be) then I guess you're both constantly the subject of gossip and are under pressure to separate the work relationship from the personal one (especially if there is a significant difference in rank between the two partners). If you're a third party dealing with a workplace couple then the issues range from simple, plain irritation to the risk of them ganging up on you. Whatever, something always manages to go poisonous.

And of course, if the personal relationship goes pear-shaped but they have to try and continue the professional one... [evil]

Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 07-22-2003, 01:36 PM:

One thing that really contributes to job burn-out is a tight boss that is so cheap that he does not want to spend money to get the job done right in the first place. That really angers me especially when I do the research needed to make a system better and more reliable. [Mad]

I have never liked the idea of using duct tape and super glue to hold the bubblegum and scotch tape in place. Yet, some bosses just don't understand that, or just don't care. Then they bitch and moan when something goes wrong and I am expected to fix junk with better junk.

I am presently approaching a burn-out stage on one of my jobs because of that very reason. I never really needed that job, but when it starts giving me a bad attitude that would have a negative impact on other things I do, then it is time to dump that specific job. I am almost at that point. I don't need the hassle of putting up with that crap. I am 63, and life is too short for that nonsense.

Posted by Justin West (Member # 920) on 07-23-2003, 03:42 AM:

Paul: I suggest you stop dipping your pen in the company ink!

Oops, sorry, wrong post.

Posted by R. Andrew Diercks (Member # 1725) on 07-23-2003, 11:07 AM:

quote:
God DON'T work for a small company....

I respectfully disagree with this. I think your problem was studios/directors. They tend to be pompus pricks anyway.

I happen to work for a small company and they treat us very well, if you deserve it. We are small enough that the DM knows exactly how hard we work and when we want a weekend off, it seldom is taken as vacation. He knows how good our staff is and can trust us to be gone. Bad managers don't have the same luxuries. Also we have an understanding that I will work Christmas but no Christmas eve as my family is important to celebrate with. Also Super Bowl sunday is my other holiday [beer]

I suppose this depends on the company.

Also if I have a disagreement with my DM I can call the VP and know him on a first name basis and he knows how hard I work. My family has lots of health issues as well and I have never been denied time off to go see and ill parent or grandparent, none of this affects my yearly time off. I would suspect with corporate, all time off is documented and taken from your total.

In addition I have been told a several times by my DM that I need to take a couple days off and not take my phone after long hours for one reason or another. He will field all my calls and run my theatre if need be. Just my 2 cents on small companies.

Posted by Ken McFall (Member # 845) on 07-23-2003, 03:33 PM:

That's great and long may it continue for you.

But from an earlier post the people that work hardest are pressured the most...

"He who does much, much more is expected."

Yes, small companies can respond and be very generous and that pays dividend's for both side's.... until the day you are asked to work Christmas Eve or some other time you cannot manage. Then it suddenly become a balance book when 'We' gave you this and that and all you ever do is take...

The one time they say no will be the one time your really need to be away or whatever it happens to be. Personal favours at work tend to be the ones that carry the most baggage.

The whole issue of private understandings and agreements is great while it works... but when it breaks down it's a one way street.

Does that sound bitter.... The only agreement that should exist is that you are expected to fulfil x number of hours and to carry out your duties to the best of your abilities. In return they will pay you what you are entitled to and give you the facilities to do your job to the best of your abilities. Quite a simple contrct but in reality it seldom exists.

The more you give the more you are expected to give. There are no longer any career jobs in the work place today. You are there to provide a profit. When that is no longer the case you are disposed of. It's a harsh reality but so true.

[ 07-24-2003, 05:20 PM: Message edited by: Ken McFall ]

Posted by James R. Hammonds, Jr (Member # 673) on 07-25-2003, 04:19 AM:

I too am feeling burned out on the job, which would explain why I rarely read or post here anymore.
I don't know if it's the job I'm sick of or the place.
I know if I left I would miss it at least a little.

I think my situation is mostly cause by the fact that many of the people I work with and around seem either uninterested in doing the job properly or just do not grasp cwertain concepts no matter how many times you try to explain it to them.
And the ones who do seem to care and want to do it right you really don't have time to teach because you have too much you are trying to keep up with.
Add to that the fact that you have management that is getting tighter and tighter on spending (not just on the booth, mind you) but want to have everything we need to keep the booth going.
Not to mention having to skim down on hours in the booth, but still expecting that everything gets done and the booth remain spotless.

Also, my attention has been shifting lately to my main area of interest that I had before working in a theatre which is music and radio.
For the past 5 months I have been doing promotions on the weekends (Imagine that, no weekend work at the theatre. How many people get to do that?) for a couple of radio stations here in Houston and am hoping to make it full time at some point, which is tough with the way radio stations run these days.

Another thing that can burn you out is having to deal with 24 screens.
Tough to keep up with.
I don't know if a smaller theatre would be what I need or a complete change all together.
Hard to tell.

Posted by William Hooper (Member # 71) on 07-25-2003, 07:04 AM:

quote:
Also, my attention has been shifting lately to my main area of interest that I had before working in a theatre which is music and radio.

You might enjoy going to the local college or university & getting the background to do technical theater (stage) work.

It's a fun ride for someone who's younger & physical; like a combination of art & stevedoring.

Gotta hold the [puke]

down though when taking those base-level theater classes from bitter, burned out & oblivious old theater profs.

Posted by Don Sneed (Member # 955) on 08-03-2003, 02:49 PM:

I been in the theatre business for 33yrs, 23yrs as service tech...driving 1,500 miles a week, driving 8 hrs for a 20 min. job, running service for 4-states took a toll on me after doing that for 15 yrs. & the fact inexperience projectionist, asshole managers & district mgrs. (we all get them) got to a point I didn't care if I serviced, or showed up on time, "JOB BURNOUT"..I had a great business on my own, just let it go, burnt a few bridges I wish I didn't now...but when a burnout comes it is not nice, I lost & gave up it all for 5-yrs, lived off my savings, & only did enough work to barely pay bills, but I didn't care, didn't want to work, damn straight did not want to see another 20-30 yr. old projection equipment...sad to give it all up, but a job burnout I feel is one that is hard to get over....after 5-yrs, all saved money now long gone...I took a hard look at myself, picked up the pieces & started over with a new theatre service company...& I never look back, although it has been 5-yrs ago since I got back into the working world again, I still feel the burnout wanting to come back....then I just think of those hungry yrs...& keep going....If you feel a burn out is upon you, walk away for awhile & come back to it later when the feeling is over...1-2-3 yrs. is not long as you think, but go though a total job burnout...I don't wish that on anybody....but if I had a choice to wish something bad on someone.."JOB BURNOUT" would be the one I wish for...it will destory your life if you let it....my answer to burnout, get away, come back at a later date, but keep your theatre roots, don't burn any bridges....good luck...

Posted by Mike Fitzgerald (Member # 1304) on 08-03-2003, 06:36 PM:

I also know the feeling from job burnout. I worked full time in the industry from 1973 until 1995. I went from a part time projectionists, to a manager projectionist to a theatre owner in the mid 80's. I ran 3 theatres a drive in and 2 indoors and all of them were very old and very expensive in upkeep. I sold them to a small theatre chain who will reaming nameless and he closed the drive in and one of the indoor and used me to triple the other indoor( nice when you have the money to do things, it takes money to make money) After I used all of the equipment that I had collected over the years and made him a 3 plex without closing only 2 days I the process. He decided he did not need me any more. I went to work for a big chain managing a 6 plex and the DM and I never hit it off So after putting up with his Bull for as long as I could and winding up in the hospital from stress and 6 day 80 hour weeks, I chucked it all and moved to North Carolina with nothing but a car a few belonging and left my family until I could get them later. Only now after 6 years do I get the feel of needing to put the picture on the screen. Job burn out is a very real factor.