July 3rd, 2024
429
Any way to speed up zigzagging Post it Notes? Some sort of DIY machine?
r/DIY removed and I need help asap
Long story short I’m an intern and my boss left me with a task of zigzagging a huge box of Post It Notes before she left for vacation so that they can be compatible with Post It Dispensers that the attorneys in my office use. I’m on day three of doing it manually by peeling, flipping, and restickering, and still have a hundred something stacks to go. I’m almost certainly not going to finish by the week especially since I have work off tomorrow. I was wondering if there’s some sort of mechanism I can make to do this more easily and efficiently. Thanks
July 3rd, 2024
429
Comments:
imogsters
1
dragonagitator
1
JEWCEY
1
fatrockstar
7
whateveratthispoint_
4
chocochic88
Surely it would be easier to buy them?
Are you getting paid? Because the only reason that I can think of for your boss to do this is because you are unpaid labour, and this is some kind of razing ritual.
I don't know your situation, but if you can, fuck that noise and find somewhere else to work.
215
LuciusDickusMaximus
I am getting college credit. It’s kind of brutal just doing this for the third day straight just listening to just brown noise (tried music yesterday but couldn’t get into it) when it’s just me and the janitors in the office basically when everyone else took off for vacation. I think they just didn’t have any work for me to do but need me to be in the office in case of an emergency. It sucks but I’m doing this for the return offer for after graduation which would put me in a role where I would be doing actual work and making a killing.
173
ShinyAeon
Podcasts? Books on tape Audiobooks? If it's just the janitors, you could even watch YouTube on your phone, I bet.
Edit: fixed my terminology. Showin' my age, there, lol.
89
Hal-E-8-Us
They will always be “books on tape” regardless of what medium they are actually stored on. Embrace it
10
ShinyAeon
Nooooo! I'm still hip and cool, I swear! I got a wrap done on my walker and everything....
8
coolbluereason99
If they aren't paying you and are instead claiming this is some sort of internship, you really shouldn't be doing work that is actual practical training. Obviously this may not be worth making a stink over to you but if they aren't paying you to do a non-training job an employee should be doing, it is wage theft
147
RTBMack
Get your hands on the manual for every single device you can see in the office, usually a pic of the back amd Google will do the trick. Fiddle through the menus and settings for everything, memorize the shit people forget. It's a way to get something at least vaguely useful out of your time, and when they return, being the intern that can fix all the shit that pisses off managers is a way to keep your name in people's minds come hiring time. That said, if they legit want you to do that menial of a task the odds are pretty strong you'll encounter plenty more bs working there. My mother worked at the head office of a national grocery chain and for years the photo copier would spit out a second blank page, that you couldn't feed back into the machine so there was a room full of reams and reams of unusable paper that she had to cut up to make her own memo notes.
56
Leela_bring_fire
Call up your professor and complain. Maybe they can transfer you. I had to do this with my internship because of a bad work environment.
74
MrsTruce
This was going to be my suggestion. If my internship prof had heard that I was tasked with this sort of complete BS, she would have snatched me out of there so fast.
6
[deleted]
This is not ok. You’re there to learn, not do menial labor. You need to speak with whoever at your university oversees these type of internships.
I would not want to work for a company that treats its interns this way, because that’s just a toxic culture. So losing out on a possible offer if you report them for this misuse of your time is not something I’d be concerned about.
68
TootsNYC
What good are you going to be during an emergency? You’re an intern, ffs.
And I know I could find so much more useful of a task even if it was busywork.
32
Aggleclack
I cannot imagine treating my interns this way. There’s real work for you out there.
12
FemaleAndComputer
It sucks but I’m doing this for the return offer for after graduation
You sure that's a realistic expectation? If they wanted to have you around in the future, don't you think they'd be giving you actual work/training that will benefit them longterm instead of menial tasks? I don't think resticking post-its is a transferable skill...
9
originalschmidt
No one is there, buy the already zigzagged ones and chill until they come back. If they question you just say “I figured working smarter and not harder would show some intuition” or something like that.
7
MegannMedusa
I hope you have that offer in writing.
4
dragonagitator
they will be laughing for years about making the intern do this
you are being fucked with
and possibly failing a test of whether you can tell when you're being fucked with or can figure out more efficient solutions
no reasonable person would expect anyone to spend 3+ days rearranging the post-its
1
Cloberella
154
RTBMack
And I'm sure calling to reorder the correct item, even with apologies and a rush, would be significantly quicker and less painful than this right? I once had a boss order the wrong length receipt paper, and instead of exchanging it he had us put the roll on a pencil and spin off half the paper so it would fit in the machines. As insane as it was, it was one of the few joys of that place.
37
SwimmingProgress
40
thecharmballoon
34
Neat-yeeter
That is absolutely insane. You are a grown-ass adult. Tell them to either get the proper dispensers for the notes they have or get the proper post-it pop-up notes for their dispensers.
They can donate what they don’t want to a local school. We always need that stuff. If they can’t afford to do so they shouldn’t be in business.
I am so angry on your behalf. I know it’s hard when you’re young and want to impress your boss but come on. I’m praying this is some sort of prank or hazing. You should show them this post’s responses and feel free to tell them this old lady says they should fuck right off. 🖕🏼🖕🏼🖕🏼
28
leblady
22
KrispyKremeDiet20
21
Sparklemagic2002
13
WilburWhateleystwin
23
ok-girl
13
neisaysthis
12
[deleted]
13
sowellpatrol
3
MegamiCookie
5
neisaysthis
5
SeatSix
5
Crepes_for_days3000
5
Strict-Ad2084
9
a_karma_sardine
3
MyDogsNameIsToes
4
latecraigy
4
robotcrackle
3
Icooktoo
4
guessdragon
4
cute_innocent_kitten
8
kitkatlynn
3
Lupa_93
3
[deleted]
OK, so I was super annoyed by this because I couldn’t figure out why they were making you do something that they already fucking sell. all you gotta do is punch in the zigzag post it online and you can find them for cheap. If you need to be an intern at this job and you don’t have a fucking choice and you don’t wanna be “zigzagging” postits the next five years go buy some. But frankly, I think you’re worth way more than that.
Edit: removed the purchase link. I’m gonna send it to you
3
ch3cha
2
SharkieBoi55
2
laurasaurus5
Get a piece of poster board. Stick the post-its to the poster in a grid all going the same way. Make a tally mark. Flip the poster so now they're all going the opposite way, so you can put down the next layer all going the same way again. Tally each layer so you can stop before the stacks get too tall for the holder.
I only ask, if you use my method, please draw something obscene randomly in like one percent of the stacks. Thanks.
2
giglbox06
2
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2
BeefInBlackBeanSauce
2
NikolitRistissa
You can’t be serious—that’s so incredibly degrading. It also largely ruins the adhesive of the notes. It’s not like they can be used indefinitely.
That’s something I’d tell a child to do if there was literally no other source of entertainment. What a waste of time. How can someone think that’s a useful use of an employees time? It’s just wasting money.
2
[deleted]
2
Lucid-Design
2
missx0xdelaney
2
[deleted]
2
science_vs_romance
2
Adorable-Tangelo-179
Is there anyone working in that office today? Maybe you have a paper cut and need to ask for a bandaid while innocently explaining how it happened….
Tbh if I heard the new intern was tasked with this, I’d step in and either buy the correct ones, send you home and take the heat from your boss, or just go above that person and overrule the situation, possibly getting you put under someone else. If I knew this person was trolling and hazing you, I’d probably tell you and still do one of those things.
I hope someone is around to fix this situation for you. Your boss sucks.
2
sagetrees
Um, what I would do is go to the store and buy a whole giant pack of pre-zigzaged post its and not do this bullshit busywork task they've given you.
View it as buying some of your life back, plus you'll look super efficient. Just don't tell anyone what you did.
2
FoShozies
Make like a little station you can nestle the stack in on all 4 sides so that when to put the sticky on-top, it’s lined up perfectly.
Also your boss is an ass, and don’t worry about getting it done. This is an absolutely unreasonable task to ask ANYONE to do. Can mess up your back and arms doing this. Do not worry about not finishing it. Have confidence when you tell them it’s not all done, because fuck them.
1
DesiCalc27
1
Mysterious-Guess-773
1
x_Carlos_Danger_x
1
[deleted]
1
[deleted]
1
truecrimebuff1994
1
log_a_plus_log_n
0
NumberZoo
1,804
lvleenie17
I agree 100% This sounds like some bullshit hazing/busy work.
302
qdtk
Step 1. Buy a hundred something stacks of alternating post it notes Step 2. Pack up the ones you have now and return them saying you were sent the wrong style Step 3. Present the finished task to your boss and let them figure out how you managed to do it so fast as you flip them off walking out the door.
1,530
thecharmballoon
This is the answer. Though, if you think your boss was sincere in thinking this needed to be done, maybe leave a post-it with a note saying they ordered the wrong product and there are pads of post-its specifically for these dispensers.
446
Aerynebula
Why does anyone need a post it dispenser unless you have zig zag. Normal post its are their own dispenser
91
qdtk
Can’t argue that. It’s kind of a solution looking for a problem isn’t it?
45
stachemz
The benefit of the dispenser is you don't need a second hand to hold the pad down to pull the note off.
1
prairiethorne
This is a bullshit task. The notes will lose some of their stickiness. Take your salary x hours to do this job and tell her how many boxes of pop-up(r) notes she could buy.
43
SignificanceAny7485
This is the type of lowbrow shit I come here for
68
valentinaeve
My only additional advice to this is, don't hand them over too fast. You'll get stuck doing this again if you do. Hand them over when you think you would've finished doing it manually.
Edit: Never work too fast for people like this. They will not acknowledge your hard work and they will take advantage of you.
21
adoglovingartteacher
I love how you have 666 upvotes. I’m not saying Amazon would be the place to order them from but I know Amazon sells the pop ups.
28
[deleted]
[removed]
1
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1
SapientSlut
This is the way
18
nwbell
This sounds like a made up task like:
-telling new servers to empty the hot water tap
-asking a new Carpenter to get the 2x4 stretcher out of the truck
-telling someone to find a left handed screwdriver
-telling a new mechanic to find a bottle of turn signal fluid
Etc etc
Edit: please share your own funny/hazing task if you know of one
Edit 2:
-telling a carpenter's helper to find a jug of level bubbles
-telling a new Private to ask the Sergeant for the Humvee keys
Edit 3: Fool's Errand
588
lil-babz
Sweep and mop the parking lot was my old manager’s favorite haze
150
maboyles90
We had a couple guys mop the freezer at the grocery store we worked at. They didn't make it very far since the mop immediately stuck to the ground.
72
lil-babz
😂😂😂
8
sprinklerarms
My old manager used to get people by asking if they could get the squeegee sharpener when it stopped pushing water into the drain well
2
montibbalt
Mopping is obviously hazing but I actually sort of understand sweeping specifically (well on a smaller lot or driveway, that is... I wouldn't touch a Walmart parking lot). In places where it snows they often sand the roads for traction and then in the springtime they just have a bunch of fuckin sand everywhere
36
MissLyss29
My neighbor used to sweep her driveway
5
[deleted]
[deleted]
4
MissLyss29
My neighbor was not Asian she definitely was older.
She actually ended up having an accident and fell while sweeping her driveway. After that she was put into a nursing home.
1
[deleted]
[deleted]
1
MissLyss29
Yea it was sad I was like 7 when it happened and was very traumatic when it happened
1
RektAngle69
I use a vacuum cleaner on the driveway, idk why my neighbors avoid me
4
MissLyss29
Lol 😂😆😂
2
Doll_duchess
When I was in high school I worked at sonic. We swept the lot constantly (partially to avoid bogeys on skates, partially for cleanliness) and if there was a spill or mess people would hose and scrub it out hah
17
[deleted]
[deleted]
12
GrimeyJosh
A can of A-1-R
6
lemmeseeyourkitties
New grocery store employee to shake the salad dressing
42
Random-Unthoughts-62
Go to the ironmongers and ask for a pound of elbow grease. Or a left-handed hammer.
37
smapte
I worked with an audio engineer who would tell interns to run to the store to buy more decibels. Then he would call ahead and tell his buddy at the store to throw something random in a paper bag. When the intern got back he would tell them that it was the wrong kind and send him back to the store. He liked to see how many trips it would take for the intern to catch on.
86
Wordshark
My autistic ass would get it and keep going just because you told me to.
82
No_Training7373
Calling/ texting a trusted friend each time I’m in the parking lot like “I’M PRETTY SURE THIS IS A JOKE BUT IM NOT SURE SO HERE WE GO AGAIN”
25
NoMorePie4U
I would just go back and forth even if I caught on from the start cos smoke breaks, plus I'm not gonna be the first one to blink!
12
overstuffedtaco
Yep I'm absolutely on team "you wanna pay me to waste time, lemme show you how much time I can waste"
12
nwbell
I love that 🤣🤣
8
lemmeseeyourkitties
Also, telling newbs at the motor pool to collect a garbage bag full of exhaust. I'm sure no one had any last effects from that one
21
italyqt
My son is a master mechanic and convinced his wife to call the store to see if they had blinker fluid in stock.
21
LookingforDay
Exactly what I was thinking. We used to tell new kitchen staff to get a bucket of steam from the walkin.
19
literallylateral
Bag of air was ours!
13
krysterra
Ice warmer!
8
nwbell
🤣🤣 the more absurd the request the more likely they are to trust you
2
latecraigy
This post can’t be real. Boss is probably dying laughing when she saw op actually doing it 😂
22
nwbell
Ikr as soon as i saw this i thought for sure OP was getting screwed with. Idk maybe their boss is just a hardcore sadist
4
NoNumbersNoNations
Find the Wifi cable!
17
Mrjocrooms
Worked at a gas station and used to tell new employees they could only use the dehydrated water to put in the windshield washer things.
17
krysterra
In Oil & Gas someone has to do a "ground vibration check" on the agitator - by slamming a sledgehammer into the ground as hard as they can in a few spots around the rig.
14
AggravatingAd9394
Telling the apprentice to go find the population tool💀
32
BlackCatFurry
Edit: please share your own funny/hazing task if you know of one
Add year markings to each of approximately 3000 rows of hand written temperature measurement logs.
I did not do that. I only marked the start and end dates to the start of the notebook.
25
Eretreyah
GET THE BREASTPLATE STRETCHER! -Bobby B
11
ouqturabeauty
Theatre Lighting Tech. Back in the day, tell the intern to wash the gels. They used to be made of gelatin and would disintegrate
11
TiffanysTwisted
Bottle of pixel refill to fix dead pixels on LCD monitors (that's where the liquid in liquid crystal display comes from, duh)
10
SeePerspectives
Sending the painter’s apprentice to look for the tartan paint
9
Ent_Trip_Newer
Sending a busser to gather wood for the gas fireplace.
8
PosieMae
Asking the polishers to find the stone stretcher
8
Throwaway_narcotics
Espresso machine tech apprentice going to get a cup of steam
5
newvegasdweller
- telling the new mechanic to grease the anvil so that the iron parts don't stick to it
I laughed my ass off when the apprentice came to us and requested anvil grease.
5
BeefInBlackBeanSauce
Telling a Painter to go out and pick up some tartan paint.
4
EfficientSeaweed
Put a bag full of warm air into the walk in to prevent freezer burn
5
marsrovernumber16
I’ve heard stories of two tech ed teachers in one school who’d send students to each other for left handed screwdrivers, board stretchers, and plaid paint.
3
WhoaMimi
I work in a library, and we received a corporate donation of "10,000" loose LEGO. A coworker told a newbie to please count to make sure we really received 10,000 pieces and to sort them by type. She stopped him fairly quickly after realizing he unquestioningly dove in.
2
lauracaterina
Hazing at work? Is that normal? Sounds really annoying and unprofessional to me.
1
nwbell
Most of the time it's done as a rite of passage for new people. But some people take it too far or don't understand when to stop.
0
theboomboy
In the IDF it's common to ask new recruits to go get some electricity dust
herefortheshittalk
of all the responses here, why’s this one getting downvoted.. 💀
ELI5?
2
nwbell
The IDF isn't very popular right now
7
theboomboy
Probably the genocide, if I had to guess
5
[deleted]
147
LuciusDickusMaximus
Dude. I think this will help massively. Thanks
79
FromUnderTheWineCork
You'll have to update us!
16
_SheWhoShallBeNamed_
In addition to the above suggestion, I’d recommend making a jig for this task. Make a box that’s the exact same size as the post-its. Lower the Post-It in non-sticky side first, line up the non-sticky corners, and then smooth down the sticky side.
You could make the jig from some sturdy cardboard and hot glue. Or you could use a foam block and wooden dowels. It might work better if you leave most of the sides open and have just the corners to align the Post-It, that way you have more room for your hands
2
LuciusDickusMaximus
👍 smart. I know how I’m spending my fourth (hate this holiday) I hope Michael’s is open
2
nelvana
You’re hired!
10
[deleted]
For this job? No thanks!
42
nelvana
Ha, yeah, you’re right (altho OP says they will be ‘making a killing’ if they are hired). Besides, you are obviously overqualified for it!
6
Pistonenvy2
your boss is a fucking moron.
also you said youre doing this for a college credit, therefore this person isnt your boss and whatever it is the credit is for has presumably nothing to do with reorienting sticky notes.
i legitimately would be having a conversation with the dean about this. its unthinkably stupid. either your boss is on a power trip or their budget is so thin that they cant afford to replace the sticky note pads they accidentally ordered incorrectly, none of it should be your problem to fix, youre there to learn, not become a scapegoat for some idiots mistakes.
108
TootsNYC
I agree. I would be immediately calling whoever I had as an advisor at my college.
33
HermitBee
your boss is a fucking moron.
Could be a fucking moron, could just be a fucking arsehole.
5
Pistonenvy2
theyre a moron either way.
1
[deleted]
1
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0