Its ok when Your Employer screws You around, But when You mess with Them...
- Thread starter Cruzah
- Start date
2DualsNotEnough
Addicted Member
I participated in a thread recently where I talked about my immediate supervisors using negative reinforcement to get employees motivated.The actual company I work for,on the other hand does so many things for employees, I would be an idiot to leave here.Examples:
401k,medical and dental insurance,3 weeks a year paid vacation.
And a lot of things that arent so usual:$3 a day for a full lunch or dinner,including a salad bar,ice cream,hot food,sodas,and sandwich makings.A christmas bonus thats usually between $1000 and $1200 a year,right at the beginning of December given as a check,so you arent taxed for it.Free use of the company fitness center,which is nicer than most gyms Ive ever actually paid to go to.Employee auctions once a month where you get to bid on items that residents donate to the company,including appliances,furniture,etc.
Yeah,I work for some real jerks,but some companies DO go above and beyond,and I cant let that go unnoticed.
Jimmy
401k,medical and dental insurance,3 weeks a year paid vacation.
And a lot of things that arent so usual:$3 a day for a full lunch or dinner,including a salad bar,ice cream,hot food,sodas,and sandwich makings.A christmas bonus thats usually between $1000 and $1200 a year,right at the beginning of December given as a check,so you arent taxed for it.Free use of the company fitness center,which is nicer than most gyms Ive ever actually paid to go to.Employee auctions once a month where you get to bid on items that residents donate to the company,including appliances,furniture,etc.
Yeah,I work for some real jerks,but some companies DO go above and beyond,and I cant let that go unnoticed.
Jimmy
Love-Vinyl
It's about the Music
Sorry but after 40 some years in the work force there isn't one union I was a member of that didn't screw me worse than the company. And yes some of those were big time national ones that had a wonderful time on my dime and every time I needed them they were nowhere to be found. Pension? Yeah right. Check the health of the pension plans. Many national unions are close to the breaking point over their pension plans and several early retirees I personally know are working again because there's already failed. My uncle who has passed worked for the mines here and was a staunch supporter, member and trustee for many of his 35 years with them. After retiring with his full bene's he enjoyed them for all of 5 years before the UNIONS cut them in half because they were going broke. Ended losing them just before he died and my Aunt now lives on their private planned funds my Dad was able to talk him into just in case. Trust a union? Get serious. I don't drink that Kool-Aid and never will. I learned better the hard way.
EDIT: Sorry this just raised a lot of bad feelings and experiences. On topic I can only say my personal experience has been any number of new employees over the last 2 years who once they find out they really do have to work end up moving on. Found one good one in 2 years and she got a better job offer. Good for her. A couple of promising ones here recently may make me eat my words and I sure hope so.
EDIT: Sorry this just raised a lot of bad feelings and experiences. On topic I can only say my personal experience has been any number of new employees over the last 2 years who once they find out they really do have to work end up moving on. Found one good one in 2 years and she got a better job offer. Good for her. A couple of promising ones here recently may make me eat my words and I sure hope so.
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70salesguy
Only 99 easy payments!
I've seen a few examples of employers that didn't treat their employees as well as they should as well as employees that were just "phoning it in". It definitely goes both ways.
I would suggest that many here might be well-served to work for themselves!
After 2 of the companies that I worked for were acquired by other companies, I decided to start my own business. Both of the times that happened, it was going to result in a lot more trave for me, and over a larger area. It was the reason that I moved from one of the companies to the other. But, 5 years later, the same thing happened again. It was at that point that I left and started my own company.
It wasn't easy, but it worked out and 13 years later, I can't imagine it being any other way!
It's not for everyone, but it was the best thing for me.
I would suggest that many here might be well-served to work for themselves!
After 2 of the companies that I worked for were acquired by other companies, I decided to start my own business. Both of the times that happened, it was going to result in a lot more trave for me, and over a larger area. It was the reason that I moved from one of the companies to the other. But, 5 years later, the same thing happened again. It was at that point that I left and started my own company.
It wasn't easy, but it worked out and 13 years later, I can't imagine it being any other way!
It's not for everyone, but it was the best thing for me.
I work for a government research institution and supervise a handful of employees. They have mostly been solid performers and I back them up when needed, compliment them when deserved. I've found if you treat staff like valued colleagues, they tend to respond in kind.
But I had one guy who just wanted to sit in his office and listen to music. He said everyone here was unprofessional because they didn't answer his calls or email -- he was a technical writer. After 8 or 9 months, he starts coming in later and later, and then leaving early to make up for it. So, we have a discussion about how he needs to improve his performance on several levels. I was on a short vacation and come back on a Thursday. At 2 p.m. the next day -- a Friday -- he tells me that he has gotten a new job and starts Monday (though he had known for over a week). Then he spends 45 minutes telling me how unprofessional everyone is, before saying he has to leave at 3 p.m. that day because he had to go do some stuff. His was the most interesting view of "professionalism" in the workplace I've ever heard.
But I had one guy who just wanted to sit in his office and listen to music. He said everyone here was unprofessional because they didn't answer his calls or email -- he was a technical writer. After 8 or 9 months, he starts coming in later and later, and then leaving early to make up for it. So, we have a discussion about how he needs to improve his performance on several levels. I was on a short vacation and come back on a Thursday. At 2 p.m. the next day -- a Friday -- he tells me that he has gotten a new job and starts Monday (though he had known for over a week). Then he spends 45 minutes telling me how unprofessional everyone is, before saying he has to leave at 3 p.m. that day because he had to go do some stuff. His was the most interesting view of "professionalism" in the workplace I've ever heard.
cnh2
Super Member
I'm very happy that your life confirms your ideological beliefs. Arguing by personal example and anecdotes is really the best way to prevent anyone from experiencing any cognitive dissonance.
Obviously, "anybody" can run a business or start one, be successful at it and prosper! No reality check needed right?
If only the world were so "simple", so transparent, so open and free! No poverty, no injustice, no discrimination, no disadvantages, no disabilities, no variation in "ability" and so on. A world where everything is "flat" and everyone has an equal chance to be a success is very much a world that does NOT actually exist for the vast majority of people.
The idea that the "only thing holding you back is yourself" is a wonderful way to blame any and everyone who does NOT succeed. It's like that old bar plaque in Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse Five, which reads something like, if you're so smart then how come you haven't made it? Kurt goes on to dismantle that very idea. I suggest you pick up his book and read that section. Which is not to deny that "you" have made it! That's great, no one begrudges you that, don't begrudge those who don't have whatever skills, opportunities and even psychological traits that are necessary to succeed in a climate where the majority of small businesses fail within the first year!
Stay in your "comfort" zone and blame those who don't share it. That's what I've always said. But why bother? Because no one ever "wins" these arguments. People believe what their life experience tells them. And why shouldn't they? Their life is the "only" one that matters, after all. Their beliefs are written in stone and NO one can argue with that, no one else's experience can contradict it. No discussion is allowed even if we admit that some do actually succeed as you describe it. Why can "we" absorb your opinion and partly agree with it but the obverse is not allowed?
Ciao!
cnh2
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usedto
Lunatic Member
You notice I said "I" in my post. I didn't blame or belittle anyone. You seem to be the one pointing a finger. I relayed MY experiences, and how they worked for ME. And I didn't say I was happier or more successful than someone who followed a different path.
It worked for me. Sorry if your life experiences weren't as pleasurable.:thmbsp: