All Jobs Have Downfalls - U/O?

[ruby412]

Has this already been discussed?

Someone on my FB is posting about how postal workers have it hard during the holidays - delivering long hours and such. I'm also seeing posts that people are upset about retail workers having to work on holidays/Black Friday crazy hours, etc.

As a teacher, I have to spend 10ish(?) nights working throughout the year for conferences, back to school night, parent workshops, etc. I don't like it, but it comes with the territory. Healthcare workers work holidays. My husband has to travel a lot for conferences and clients and he would rather be home with his family most of the time. My BFF works in sales and has to drive around all the time in heavy rain and snow and lug heavy boxes around.

I think every job has it's downfalls and if you aren't happy with the ones you sign up for, get a new job?

Is this a U/O? Who's with me?

[rainbowchip]

I don't mind working longer hours during the holidays, I do not like that they are open on Thanksgiving so that is what I complain about. 4am on Black Friday, sure, no problem, but anything before that cuts into time with family for the worker.

I feel like you know when you take the a job when your busy season will be, but they flipped the script on retail workers last year and it sucks. There is no need for stores to be open on Thanksgiving day. Please can wait one day to buy all their crap!

And my favorite thing is that people are like, just celebrate it some other time. Right, because my husband worked yesterday 6pm-2am, came home, slept until 8:30am got up and went back to work at 9:30am and he has to work until 9pm then back tomorrow at 9:30 again until 6pm. So when exactly are we supposed to move Thanksgiving to?

P.S. He has not seen the kids since I left with them at 10:30am yesterday and will not see them until tomorrow morning.

Sorry for the long rant.

[jaime183]

I agree all jobs have their downfalls and even within the same field it just depends on the company

[skwcm80]

Getting another job, particularly one that pays the bills isn't always that easy.

[katfco]

I think all jobs have downfalls, but I think there are some jobs where people are taken advantage of or treated unfairly.

[jaime183]

Nov 29, 2013 15:26:17 GMT -5 katfco said:

I think all jobs have downfalls, but I think there are some jobs where people are taken advantage of or treated unfairly.

Unfortunately, I think most jobs take advantage of people and treat them unfairly in some way or another. Whether it be hours, wages, work conditions, etc.

[skwcm80]

Nov 29, 2013 15:26:17 GMT -5 katfco said:

I think all jobs have downfalls, but I think there are some jobs where people are taken advantage of or treated unfairly.

Exactly!! You can wait one day or just a few hours if stores open at midnight to get your goods. There is no reason Walmart needs to stay open so someone can buy some crappy tv, or get an oil change on Thanksgiving.

[skwcm80]

Nov 29, 2013 15:30:13 GMT -5 @therealmc said:

I am actually taking a class right now called Organizational Management and one of the things it focuses on is getting your employees more engaged through meeting their needs. There is all this research done that employees tend to be more engaged, loyal, creative, etc. if they feel fulfilled at work instead of put out and overworked.

I have to say that at the beginning of the class, and even some parts of me now, sneeze and say bullshit. I am highly of the opinion that you are paid to do a job and you should show up and do that job. BUT, it truly has been proven that employees who are treated well, are cared for and are given perks will outperform any other employee and those companies who provide these things will outperform other companies. I am really not big on FEELINGS, I completely fail at that stuff, but I felt it for myself. My boss is someone who goes above and beyond to show his employees that he cares and it definitely makes a difference.

Sooooooo what is my point? I don't know. Just that being satisfied at work is hard to come by but you should strive to find a company who does give you some level of satisfaction.

Yes, job satisfaction may be hard to come by, but it's even harder to come by when you're employer keeps moving the line. Like jamaicam said, it is people least able to switch jobs that get the brunt of this treatment. 

[jaime183]

Nov 29, 2013 15:30:13 GMT -5 @therealmc said:

I am actually taking a class right now called Organizational Management and one of the things it focuses on is getting your employees more engaged through meeting their needs. There is all this research done that employees tend to be more engaged, loyal, creative, etc. if they feel fulfilled at work instead of put out and overworked.

I have to say that at the beginning of the class, and even some parts of me now, sneeze and say bullshit. I am highly of the opinion that you are paid to do a job and you should show up and do that job. BUT, it truly has been proven that employees who are treated well, are cared for and are given perks will outperform any other employee and those companies who provide these things will outperform other companies. I am really not big on FEELINGS, I completely fail at that stuff, but I felt it for myself. My boss is someone who goes above and beyond to show his employees that he cares and it definitely makes a difference.

Sooooooo what is my point? I don't know. Just that being satisfied at work is hard to come by but you should strive to find a company who does give you some level of satisfaction.

my husband works for a large employer (fortune 100 size) and they have all kinds of incentives in place to "appreciate" their employees... but when it comes down to it, money is their focus and you can do all the little incentives you want but really it's about the bottom line. they are open 24-7, 365 days a year and people need to be there... it's just the way it is and we've learned to accept it.

[TrudyCampbell]

I agree, Ruby. You've seen me rant on here about teachers on my facebook feed who complain about everything- summer ending, parent/teacher conferences etc. I agree that those things may suck but there are also many perks of the job! People just love to complain.

[jaime183]

Nov 29, 2013 16:02:53 GMT -5 @therealmc said:

Nov 29, 2013 15:55:53 GMT -5 jaime183 said:

my husband works for a large employer (fortune 100 size) and they have all kinds of incentives in place to "appreciate" their employees... but when it comes down to it, money is their focus and you can do all the little incentives you want but really it's about the bottom line. they are open 24-7, 365 days a year and people need to be there... it's just the way it is and we've learned to accept it.

  Definitely always going to be about the bottom line.  However, the research shows that without those perks, many of the employees who have 'learned to accept it' wouldn't have learned it and there would be large turnover rates and a complete lack of satisfaction.  It is hard in that kind of environment, to make and keep people happy knowing they have to work odd hours but incentives definitely help.  

I'm writing a short paper now on DreamWorks Animation because it is on its 6th straight year of being in the top 10 of Forbes Top 100 companies to work for.  We have to write a short paper about why and some other stuff.  One of the things they started out providing for their employees was free breakfast.  They said the amount of people who started coming to work on time and even early just for that breakfast was amazing.  So they started adding little incentives here and there (they have some pretty big ones now) and now they are one of the most successful companies with an almost 97% retention rate.  

If you look at the other companies in that list, they all offer similar incentives.  Definitely something to be said for them and return on investment you can achieve.  

Interesting! Ironically enough his company is on that list (if you want to know which, PM me)... I'm not finding the list of specific incentives but I know they now have a clinic on site (so people don't leave for dr appts!) and they do give free fruit and beverages (coffee, tea, soda)... they also have some perks that employees get at other local places but im not sure how much it all matters

ETA: not in the top 10 but on the top 100 list

[spaghetticat]

Mh works overnights on Christmas Eve and it sucks. But thems the breaks. I can't think of a perfect job with no downfalls.

[thedahliharpa]

I think workers in many places through out the world would straight up laugh at the notion that American retail workers are treated poorly by having to work a holiday. FWP.

[lolaburns]

I think it's ridiculous for stores to be open on holidays like Thanksgiving. I refuse to shop since they started that mess. I only don't have a problem with it if the employees volunteered to work. Some people have to work on holidays though : gas station employees, pharmacists, healthcare workers , police officers, EMTs, our military, etc.

I think people many careers, even higher paid positions, can say they often feel underpaid, over worked, stressed out, have to deal with nasty people, etc. I worked 60+ hours a week and out of college I made just above the poverty line in NYC. When you factored in the hours I worked, sometimes I didn't clear minimum wage. My salary eventually increased but them came more job responsibilities, more time at the office, two week long trips overseas 5 times a year. I sympathize with complaining but some of it is eye-roll worthy. Some industries are harder than others but work is hard. That's why it's called work and not fun.

ETA : after visiting factories in China and India I quickly dropped all complaining I ever did about my job.

[thedahliharpa]

ETA : after visiting factories in China and India I quickly dropped all complaining I ever did about my job.
[/quote][br

Exactly. How about only seeing your family over Chinese New Year because you live
at the factory.

[lolaburns]

Nov 29, 2013 16:40:44 GMT -5 thedahliharpa said:

ETA : after visiting factories in China and India I quickly dropped all complaining I ever did about my job.

[br

Exactly. How about only seeing your family over Chinese New Year because you live
at the factory.

[/quote]

Yea, the holes in the ground for the bathroom and "dorm style living " that was more like institutional style living zipped my mouth shut forever.

[ruby412]

Nov 29, 2013 16:28:56 GMT -5 thedahliharpa said:

I think workers in many places through out the world would straight up laugh at the notion that American retail workers are treated poorly by having to work a holiday. FWP.

Agree.

And FWIW, my husband had to work (from home) yesterday morning for a bit. He works for a global company and it's not a holiday in India. It wasn't my favorite thing, but it's just part of his job sometimes. But @pcloadletter, he doesn't have to deal with rude people. That is awful and really sucks.

[dixeedeluxe]

Employee engagement is not at all about $$. It's all about praising a good job AND NOT PEOPLE WHO DONT DO GOOD JOBS! That happens so often ilunder the guise of morale boosting. But it only boosts morale of the shittiest workers while not encouraging improvement.

But respect is earned from the weakest links if managers help them improve. ...not just punish them.

[dixeedeluxe]

I work in an environment where pay is high, but morale is low. We used to get bonuses, but everyone got them. Thwy weren't performance based.

Everyone was grumpy all the time.

[rainbowchip]

I have one word: Google.

[dixeedeluxe]

I'd probably love that class.

I'm a shining star employee and I actually can't wait to be a manager. Not for the pay, but for the opportunity to manage.

Oh and I knew you meant money was the bottom line for companies. Oddly, since I work in the public sector, it isn't for us. Which should make management easier. But everyone just whines.

[skwcm80]

Nov 29, 2013 16:34:13 GMT -5 lolaburns said:

I think it's ridiculous for stores to be open on holidays like Thanksgiving. I refuse to shop since they started that mess. I only don't have a problem with it if the employees volunteered to work. Some people have to work on holidays though : gas station employees, pharmacists, healthcare workers , police officers, EMTs, our military, etc.

I think people many careers, even higher paid positions, can say they often feel underpaid, over worked, stressed out, have to deal with nasty people, etc. I worked 60+ hours a week and out of college I made just above the poverty line in NYC. When you factored in the hours I worked, sometimes I didn't clear minimum wage. My salary eventually increased but them came more job responsibilities, more time at the office, two week long trips overseas 5 times a year. I sympathize with complaining but some of it is eye-roll worthy. Some industries are harder than others but work is hard. That's why it's called work and not fun.

ETA : after visiting factories in China and India I quickly dropped all complaining I ever did about my job.

Just because workers in China and India are treated like crap doesn't mean workers here don't have right to expect better. Why should reduce ourselves to the lowest common denominator?

Those same worker's don't make anywhere close to what minimum wage is here, should Walmart employees not complain despite the fact the many them still need government assistance despite working?

[dixeedeluxe]

I'm going to check it out!

[ruby412]

Nov 29, 2013 17:53:16 GMT -5 @therealmc said:

Nov 29, 2013 17:46:32 GMT -5 dixeedeluxe said:

I work in an environment where pay is high, but morale is low. We used to get bonuses, but everyone got them. Thwy weren't performance based.

Everyone was grumpy all the time.

In this classed we learned that pay isn't considered a motivator because you get used to it pretty quickly.  People need recognition for doing a good job and it doesn't necessarily need to be monetary.  Increased responsibility, promotion and other things are motivators along with money.  Bonuses should be merit based and given for performance not just to everyone and that giving them to everyone is a demotivator.

I really hates all the fluffy touchy feeliness of this class but I have found that I have learned a ton from it. 

My undergrad is in Labor Studies, so I took a bunch of classes on this topic. What motivates workers? It's whatever motivates that worker! Everyone is different. Some want more vacation time, some money, some flexible hours, some recognition, etc. But the #1 reason that people are unhappy with their jobs is a bad boss/poor management. Interesting stuff.

[thedahliharpa]

Nov 29, 2013 18:25:04 GMT -5 skwcm80 said:

Nov 29, 2013 16:34:13 GMT -5 lolaburns said:

I think it's ridiculous for stores to be open on holidays like Thanksgiving. I refuse to shop since they started that mess. I only don't have a problem with it if the employees volunteered to work. Some people have to work on holidays though : gas station employees, pharmacists, healthcare workers , police officers, EMTs, our military, etc.

I think people many careers, even higher paid positions, can say they often feel underpaid, over worked, stressed out, have to deal with nasty people, etc. I worked 60+ hours a week and out of college I made just above the poverty line in NYC. When you factored in the hours I worked, sometimes I didn't clear minimum wage. My salary eventually increased but them came more job responsibilities, more time at the office, two week long trips overseas 5 times a year. I sympathize with complaining but some of it is eye-roll worthy. Some industries are harder than others but work is hard. That's why it's called work and not fun.

ETA : after visiting factories in China and India I quickly dropped all complaining I ever did about my job.

Just because workers in China and India are treated like crap doesn't mean workers here don't have right to expect better. Why should reduce ourselves to the lowest common denominator?

Those same worker's don't make anywhere close to what minimum wage is here, should Walmart employees not complain despite the fact the many them still need government assistance despite working?

Carrying on like American retail workers are on the bottom of the labor totem pole lacks a global view. If the spirit of Thanksgiving is marred by consumerism is it not also compromised by failng to recognize what one has to be thankful for in comparison to others less fortunate?

[thedahliharpa]

Sorry to quote quotes, my left hand can only do so much.

[skwcm80]

Nov 29, 2013 18:36:39 GMT -5 thedahliharpa said:

Nov 29, 2013 18:25:04 GMT -5 skwcm80 said:

Just because workers in China and India are treated like crap doesn't mean workers here don't have right to expect better. Why should reduce ourselves to the lowest common denominator?

Those same worker's don't make anywhere close to what minimum wage is here, should Walmart employees not complain despite the fact the many them still need government assistance despite working?

Carrying on like American retail workers are on the bottom of the labor totem pole lacks a global view. If the spirit of Thanksgiving is marred by consumerism is it not also compromised by failng to recognize what one has to be thankful for in comparison to others less fortunate?

I know American retail workers could have it much worse than workers globally. I don't see being glad you don't work in the kind of conditions Lola described, and wanting employers to treat you better as mutually exclusive though. 

[rainbowchip]

So nobody can every complain about anything because somebody somewhere has it worse.

[lolaburns]

They don't have to be mutually exclusive of each other. However, in the grand scheme of things, the complaints over working a holiday in retail versus a factory worker doing HARD labor and living in what we would deplorable conditions makes me roll my eyes.

All jobs have aspects that we hate. If you hate the whole job either find something you can like about it or make a plan to change your job or career path.

[thedahliharpa]

Nov 29, 2013 18:54:39 GMT -5 rainbowchip said:

So nobody can every complain about anything because somebody somewhere has it worse.

No but it should be taken into consideration if people are up in arms about inequities in the work force.
Complaining about having a above board job in this country while insisting the day is about being thankful is ironic at best.