Narrative:

I was assigned to a gate call on aircraft X (A321). I went to the aircraft and talked to the captain; I was told of an ECAM fault; 'FCU 2' and after verifying documentation in the E-6 logbook; began troubleshooting the fault. I used the troubleshooting manual to ascertain the proper way to handle correction of the fault/failure. I then called tech services and spoke with [personnel 1] to discuss the best avenue to handle this PIREP. During my conversation with [personnel 1] I was repeatedly interrupted by [personnel 2]; which is in stark contrast to our human factors training. [Personnel 2] shoved MEL paperwork in front of me while I was conversing with [personnel 1]. I asked [personnel 1] to hold on a moment and that is when; much to my shock and dismay; [personnel 2] addressed me in a very hostile manner. [Personnel 2]; with clenched jaw and anger in his face; told me that if I did not MEL this fault right now; he would (pointing sternly to the door) send me home! Caught between troubleshooting and a direct threat to my employment; I stayed the course knowing that we must 'check and approve' an item when we use an MEL deferral. After I confirmed the cause of the ECAM fault; I then utilized [personnel 1]'s guidance; I reset the FCU 2 computer using the proper procedure. Aircraft X was then dispatched properly. I would also like to add that there seems to be a double standard as to how [company] expects an amt to comply with all the maintenance manual and gpm requirements but when time becomes the issue that seems to be ignored or not applicable to [company]. Finally; [with] the issues here in ZZZ and while I am more than willing to be patient; it seems that the management here just doesn't care about the rules unless we the amt's fail to follow them and it is convenient for them to put discipline on us.in my 36 years in aviation; I have never been bullied or coerced into making an aircraft unsafe; but ZZZ maintenance is another story. Here in ZZZ; there is a toxic culture in place that uses draconian tactics to 'push tin' in the hopes of being on-time for schedules that are ill conceived. Constant interruptions of maintenance tasks (human factors) by departments that ask; 'how long is it going to take'? I think to myself; if I screw up and something happens to the aircraft; passengers and crew; the answer might be 'forever' because you can't take back an air disaster. If you are not receiving many as soon as possible reports; it may be because mechanics here in ZZZ might have been bullied; beaten down and are scared.suggestions: 1) retrain all mechanics and nanagement in ZZZ with in accordance with program (certificates and coin after class).2) fire [personnel 2] so employees know that threatening people will not be tolerated and they may have a non-hostile work environment to work in accordance with.3) more FAA oversight in ZZZ.4) devise a training video explaining to everyone that the MEL does not exist to defer items solely for our convenience; we must know why. The video would be viewed by management and mechanics alike.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Maintenance Technician reported being pressured by a Supervisor to defer an aircraft write up rather than troubleshoot.

Narrative: I was assigned to a gate call on Aircraft X (A321). I went to the aircraft and talked to the Captain; I was told of an ECAM fault; 'FCU 2' and after verifying documentation in the E-6 logbook; began troubleshooting the fault. I used the Troubleshooting Manual to ascertain the proper way to handle correction of the fault/failure. I then called Tech Services and spoke with [personnel 1] to discuss the best avenue to handle this PIREP. During my conversation with [personnel 1] I was repeatedly interrupted by [personnel 2]; which is in stark contrast to our Human Factors Training. [Personnel 2] shoved MEL paperwork in front of me while I was conversing with [personnel 1]. I asked [personnel 1] to hold on a moment and that is when; much to my shock and dismay; [personnel 2] addressed me in a very hostile manner. [Personnel 2]; with clenched jaw and anger in his face; told me that if I did not MEL this fault right now; he would (pointing sternly to the door) send me home! Caught between troubleshooting and a direct threat to my employment; I stayed the course knowing that we must 'check and approve' an item when we use an MEL deferral. After I confirmed the cause of the ECAM fault; I then utilized [personnel 1]'s guidance; I reset the FCU 2 computer using the proper procedure. Aircraft X was then dispatched properly. I would also like to add that there seems to be a double standard as to how [Company] expects an AMT to comply with all the maintenance manual and GPM requirements but when time becomes the issue that seems to be ignored or not applicable to [Company]. Finally; [with] the issues here in ZZZ and while I am more than willing to be patient; it seems that the Management here just doesn't care about the rules unless we the AMT's fail to follow them and it is convenient for them to put discipline on us.In my 36 years in aviation; I have NEVER been bullied or coerced into making an aircraft unsafe; but ZZZ Maintenance is another story. Here in ZZZ; there is a toxic culture in place that uses draconian tactics to 'push tin' in the hopes of being on-time for schedules that are ill conceived. Constant interruptions of maintenance tasks (Human Factors) by departments that ask; 'How long is it going to take'? I think to myself; if I screw up and something happens to the aircraft; passengers and crew; the answer might be 'forever' because you can't take back an air disaster. If you are not receiving many ASAP reports; it may be because mechanics here in ZZZ might have been bullied; beaten down and are scared.Suggestions: 1) Retrain ALL mechanics AND Nanagement in ZZZ with IAW program (certificates and coin after class).2) Fire [personnel 2] so employees know that threatening people will not be tolerated and they may have a non-hostile work environment to work IAW.3) More FAA oversight in ZZZ.4) Devise a training video explaining to everyone that the MEL does NOT exist to defer items solely for our convenience; we must know WHY. The video would be viewed by Management and mechanics alike.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.