I worked graveyards in a large furniture warehouse preparing furniture for the drivers next day deliveries. Each prepper was responsible for prepping two bays for delivery.
To prep the furniture we would unbox all furniture, put feet on couches, hardware on dressers, build dining room chairs and make repairs.
The culture was to prep your bay and when you finished you helped the next bay and snowballed until everyone was finished and then you would hop on a cherry picker to get last minute additions or replace damaged furniture.
This place decided to implement a production standard. You were given an allotted amount for each action down to the nut and bolt. If you added up your allotted time and you finished early you got a 10 cent an hour bonus equaling 80 cents a day. Also, this was to prevent you from helping other bays as you weren’t allotted time for other’s work.
Malicious Compliance... I was efficient and didn’t waste any movements. I would blast through my bay, add up all the allotted time and saw that I finished two hours earlier than I was allotted.
Rather than turn in my sheet and get 80 cents extra for the day, I sat on a comfy couch at the end of my bay and did nothing until my allotted time was up.
I remember when the manager drove by and said, “we need you to go help —— and get damages.” I just looked at my watch, then at my beautifully prepped bay and said “I’m still prepping my bay.” Put my headphones in and leaned back while he looked completely shocked. There was nothing they could do as I was still on the clock for my bay. I saw it more beneficial to get paid for two hours of doing nothing than 80 cents to work my ass off.
I don't check the price every second. I don't worry when it dips. I don't chimp out when it rises. I am just holding and waiting. It will happen when it's good and ready, no need to stress.
