Blame it largely on the pandemic, which weakened the hold the workplace held on people’s psyches
By outward appearances, the labor market today looks much as it did before the pandemic. The unemployment rate is just as low, the share of adults in the labor force is just as high, and wages are growing at roughly the same pace after inflation.
But beneath the surface, the nature of labor has changed profoundly. Career and work aren’t nearly as central to the lives of Americans. They want more time for their families and themselves, and more flexibility about when, where and how they work.
The impact of this change can already be seen in both individual companies and the broader economy. It has led to a persistent shortage of workers, especially in jobs that seem less desirable because, for example, they require in-person work or fixed hours. That, in turn, has altered the bargaining position of employers and employees—forcing employers to adapt, not just by paying more but giving priority to quality of life in job offers.
To be sure, some of these changes arise from an exceptionally tight labor market. If unemployment rises, some of employees’ newfound leverage may evaporate.
What’s the point?
I make more than most of my acquaintances in the city (my friends are poor), yet it’s not enough to rent a house much less buy one. It’s not enough to save for retirement. It’s not even enough to move to a better apartment. The only reason I can think of owning a house is my inheritance - period.
My company touts their generous benefits which start on day one. But I’m about to lose access to my therapist because they want to push virtual and self-help resources instead. They publish pamphlets that exaggerate medical benefits, when you go to use them the insurance company says “Nah lol.”
We have no union and in fact the state disincentivized formation of unions with “right to work” laws.
Work leaves me feeling exhausted and hopeless. My paycheck covers the bills, buys food, and keeps a derelict roof over my head. Apparently that makes me “lucky” and I should be grateful for it.
My company touts their generous benefits which start on day one. But I’m about to lose access to my therapist because they want to push virtual and self-help resources instead.
-pure rage-
😡 😡 😡
It really sucks. We have a great dynamic and she has helped me so much over the last year, words can’t express.
I want you to remember this is a violence being done upon you by the healthcare industry and your employer.
You are a victim of violence here as sure as if someone had physically attacked you on the street, except the violence was premeditated, utterly unnecessary and hurtful in a way that doesn’t heal like bruises do.
Stay angry about that, not in a way that eats your heart away, but in a way that transmutes hopelessness into resistance.
From a logical standpoint, healthcare should see the fact that you found a therapist that works for you as a “WE FOUND THE NEEDLE IN THE HAYSTACK!” moment which is precisely not the moment you say “well we might as well throw this needle away and keep searching because we can just find another!”.
Gosh I don’t wish harm upon others easily, but it is hard not to feel like the people who make the decisions to structure society this way should be hurt very badly to the point that other people who want to commit similar atrocities would simply be too scared to try it even if they wanted to.
I actually enjoy my job. I like the people and I like the environment and I get paid decently as well. From what I’ve observed personally, everybody wants a job but it seems like the general work ethic of the younger generation is very poor. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not blaming them. I actually do not think it’s their fault, I think it’s just the way that they’ve been raised. So many iPad babies.
Everyone has said this about the younger generations for as long as humans have been around.
I understand that and I used to say the same thing. That’s ridiculous, old people just don’t like the younger generation BUT I’ve seen it. I currently work at the same place that I worked at almost 20 years ago. I did the same job then that they are doing now. It is almost frightening how many kids lack common sense and basic skills. Maybe it’s always been that way but it’s something I’ve observed personally. Don’t get me wrong, I work with some extremely smart and talented teens but they are few and far between.
Examples?
I’m still youngish (29) but there’s been a definite shift in new hires at our tech company. I know “everyone always complains about the young generation” anecdotally so I’ll give some concrete examples (I used to work with the internal reporting people so I’ve seen the data):
-5x+ increase on cheating in onboarding tests (not hr bs but like actual stuff for the job). Everyone’s cheating. And talking to people who were in school in the pandemic with virtual classes, everyone there was cheating too so if you didn’t cheat you were falling behind
-people coming in at 10 and leaving at 2. Our company had been around for 50+ years and has a generally laid back tech vibe where you get your work done and you’re good. It’s never been an issue. So many new hires this past year were doing it that we had to institute a mandatory 9-5 which really pissed off everyone else who was getting shit done
-customer feedback. Objective ratings of the support from newer hires is lower than we’ve ever had for the tenure cohort
Each of these backs up the anecdotal feeling we have that newer hires aren’t as independent or resilient. That being said, this is a generalization and the majority of them are doing good work. Just less than before
I’m 45 and you’re literally describing what i have seen so, so many times across my career any time a new bunch of fresh-outta-uni hires rolled in.
