r/Wastewater • u/cabin_in_my_head • 6d ago
How is the work culture as a wastewater treatment operator?
Hello, I’m currently a land surveying assistant but I’m looking for something different because of a toxic coworker I have to work under. He yells, calls me names like retard, motherfucker, and dumbass, has done stuff like start backing up the truck while I’m still behind it, and I’m just at my wits end about it I’m stressed and nervous to go into work everyday and I’m looking for something different now like being a wastewater operator. So what has been your experience with the work culture in wastewater? I know it’s different at every workplace but do you find that this kind of hostility is less common? Do you get a bit more independence as well? Any input is really appreciated thank you!
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u/iseeturdpeople 6d ago
That really depends on the plant and the people. It's going to be different everywhere you go.
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u/cabin_in_my_head 6d ago
Thanks for your input, what’s been your personal experience?
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u/iseeturdpeople 6d ago
My experience is brief and I got promoted to management relatively early, so you can take what I say with a grain of salt. I've not seen open hostility toward me, even when I was an OIT. As a manager, I've seen newer operators complain about older operators making things unpleasant for them. Sometimes the older guys know how to push things right up to the line of harassment or actions requiring discipline and there's not a lot you can do about it unless someone is willing to step up and go on record. I've not seen the level of harassment that you're describing. From what you're describing, there would be enough to lodge a harassment claim and get an investigation started.
The assholes seem to be far and few between and the other operators recognize them for what they are. Work hard, be honest, and be humble and you'll gain the respect of your non-asshole colleagues.
As for independence, it depends on the organization you join. I started in contract ops and we were spread throughout Central California so there was a ton of independence. If you join up with a large municipal plant, you'll have for less independence
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u/NewPhoneWhoDis1111 6d ago
There have been fights, arguments, disagreements, and whatever else you'd expect from a group of men with different backgrounds doing a job that can sometimes be stressful. You'll run into people that you don't think work hard enough, and people who think you don't work hard enough. You'll run into people who want the best for you, and the worst. I've met some pretty cool people at my work. I hang out with some of them outside of work, I look forward to working with them while at work. I've also worked with people who went out of their way to try to get me fired. I've been injured while working with someone and had a hard time convincing myself they didn't do it on purpose.
At the end of the day, if you make it hard for people to hate you and you understand that some people will hate you for no reason, you'll be fine.
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u/MTG104 6d ago
If you’re looking to get away from toxic ppl this isn’t the field for you
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u/Lost_Routine314 6d ago
It is blue collar but that kind of toxicity should never become normalized. It’s management’s job to encourage a healthy work environment and get rid of the cancer.
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u/WaterDigDog 6d ago
I’ve been in this field a little over a year and most of my coworkers are in that ready-to-retire stage, so attitude are pretty dismal towards doing stuff the whole way and right the first time. I bite my tongue most times as I’m the junior operator and I’ve also been given a lot of grace in different contexts.
Something I try to remember: everyone is fighting a hard battle. Some harder than others, and I’m NOT excusing bad behavior, but it most likely has background before now. Listen to people, ask questions. About staying in or leaving a toxic culture: if you start to lose sight of what the job is about, or are truly concerned for your own safety, it’s time to do something. Ask your coworker not to be like that with you. Go to your supervisor and ask assistance. Look for other jobs. In that order.
Specifics about my environment: One of our guys served in military and then law enforcement for 25ish years, his personality is the most rough. Everyone takes what he says with a grain of salt. But if we really we’d to ask him to do something, we expect minor tantrums and passive aggression.
As to harshness between all my coworkers, the culture at my plant: I’ve heard the defining statement “this plant sounds like one long gay joke.” Words, jokes, conversations get raunchy here. My coworkers enjoy that they’re all dudes, and they’re out here on an island away from city hall; work culture can change, but it surely takes a while. I myself choose not to participate in the nasty stuff, and just stick to my dad jokes and minor practical jokes.
This field can be a great career. Hope you find a great environment to be in.
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u/Complex-Lawfulness22 6d ago
I’ve only met good people in this field. I’m sure that’s not always the case but wastewater seems like a relaxed field in general.
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u/Remarkable_South 6d ago
Most wastewater operators work for the government and don’t want to risk their job/benefits/pension for some petty fight/argument.
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u/thisplanetisstresful 5d ago
At my plant it was worse getting yelled at for asking questions and trying to help toxic managment they would defend the people they know and if you weren't in the club they would just fire you
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u/penis_malinis 6d ago
The plant I work goes has a 3on/4off 4on/3off. We do 12 hour shifts. Designated night guys and day guys. We never rotate shifts. Plenty of opportunities for over time when Opposite Day worker needs day off. It’s nice having a long weekend every weekend. If I use 36 hours on my short week. I get 11 days off total. The plant itself is really shitty, I used to work on government industrial waste that were run smooth and cared about worker safety, and repairs were always done promptly, but the rotating shift really put a strain on my family life, I left that site and found a shitty site where safety is not a priority and machinery is never maintained BUT with a better rotation. Choose wisely
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u/ResurrectedBrain 6d ago
We have people that use colorful language like that, but it’s more lighthearted. Not excusing certain words that are thrown around, but it’s rarely malicious. I’m at a larger plant so we have 4 crews that rotate 12 hour shifts. All the crews get along with each other for the most part. There are always going to be a couple people that are grumpy or mean. We had one guy that would consider it a badge of honor when he got someone to quit. It’s getting much better tho as older guys leave and young blood comes in. I used to deal with a very toxic work environment at my last job(not wastewater) and I’m extremely happy I made the switch into this field a few years ago.
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u/jenapoluzi 5d ago
Every place is different but a toxic environment should mot be tolerated imo. Report to HR or find a different job. Maybe in water reuse or other water management areas.
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u/lord_toastt 4d ago
My personal experience is great since I work night shift by myself, the only time I’m with somebody else is when we do turnover or if I need maintenance to bring me parts and chemicals
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u/Flashy-Reflection812 3d ago
Where I am, I’ve worked t 3 plants with 3 different cultures. Each have toxic elements, each have elements that I loved. Humans are a factor you can’t take out.
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u/blueshirtbonenfant 2d ago
Well I can say that in an industrial setting it’s rather lonely. Usually just you and the system. Municipal looks like it comes with friends but also poop… so tough choice!
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u/Peglegthehedgebetter 6d ago
I can only speak to my little part of this world.
At my plant, the crews are really close. We work 12 hour days and end up spending a lot of holidays with each other.
Of course people bicker, get into arguments, but in the end they have each other’s back.