Popular Saying - A Poor Worker Always Blames His Tools
@arthurchappell (44998)
Preston, England
October 12, 2015 8:48am CST
Another well-known idiomatic phrase that often isn’t true. Tools, break, wear out and often fail to function. Many companies use out of date or incompatible computer software. At one warehouse I worked a set of steel steps I was using to reach higher shelves of stock collapsed under me leaving me hanging on to the racking and close to injury. When I reported the matter it was found that essential holding bolts were not in place. The ladder-truck should not have been available for use.
I have worked in call centres with ill-fitting, inaudible head-phones too, not just my own, but given to many staff. Tools are often used until they completely break rather than being maintained or regularly replaced. It isn’t just bad workmen who blame their tools. If the tools are bad any good worker has to complain about them too.
Arthur Chappell
4 people like this
7 responses
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
12 Oct 15
two sided coin, some people aren't very good at their work and may blame the tools, but bad tools can make a good worker a poor one. I agree, I HATE illfitting headsets...so honesty time? I bought my own and use it at work, and lock it up when I am not there. Other people wanted the same thing, so the company finally bought them for everyone, but I still keep my own
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (44998)
• Preston, England
12 Oct 15
it is a good idea - I finally got hold of a decent headset and stashed it aside for myself
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (44998)
• Preston, England
13 Oct 15
@Jessicalynnt I did while I worked there though I returned it when I left the company
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
12 Oct 15
@arthurchappell yep you guard that, sneak it home if you have too to not lose it
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (44998)
• Preston, England
12 Oct 15
often a problem is human error but most often it is bad management but the average button pusher ends up being the scapegoat for it
@Mounicar (240)
• Hyderabad, India
12 Oct 15
@arthurchappell yeah that's true. Bad management is responsible for so many things but the employees gey blamed for everything
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
31 Jan 16
If the saying is that poor worker always blames his tools, then good worker must blame his boss for not giving him the right tools!
I, for one, always put the blame on my boss!
Fortunately we have a very good working relationship, else I will be sacked for all the things I said so openly.
@allknowing (136100)
• India
14 Oct 15
No matter how hard you try this saying shall remain for posterity
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (44998)
• Preston, England
14 Oct 15
oh yes, it is a well worn saying that has probably endured for centuries
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (44998)
• Preston, England
13 Oct 15
oh it can happen - I yell at my computer a lot but sometimes, just sometimes, it is innocent
