I want to help, but I also need money.
I work at a small independent shop. Just me as the main tech, doing heavy line, diagnostic work, and everything in between. I have almost every tool I need, and 7 years experience. The owner works full time but mostly manages. He does the occasional small job when I'm too busy. A junior tech, with about 6 months experience. (6 months experience but fantastic mechanical aptitude). And finally a new guy with 8 years of what I would call lube bay experience.
My problem is this, I am a flat rate tech who is constantly called away from whatever task I am working on to help the other guys. Other guys being junior tech, and the older lube fella. I love to help and I was once the guy who had to ask for help. But at a certain point when I am slowed down the entire shop suffers. There are certain situations where the junior tech will "apprentice" for me and he will do for example a clutch on a Toyota truck. I will help him as much as he needs because in this situation I get flagged for the hours billed on that ticket.
I love to help but I also don't get paid to help. Is this just the situation I'm in? I suppose I would rather be slowed down and help if it prevents a car being sent out repaired incorrectly. Should I be saying no I'm too busy?
I'm averaging 49.5 hours a week for the last 6 months. So I'm not starving. But it sure is nice to be able to focus on fixing my cars and flag 12+ hours in one day.