what should you tolerate at work?
May 15th, 2007
Several years ago when I had a “real” job, I wrote a journal entry about how much and what I was willing to tolerate in a given position before quitting. I’ve long felt that our culture promotes staying at your job despite dissatisfaction, poor pay, lack of respect, or any number of perfectly horrible motivators that are abundant in today’s workforce. This is based on some loyalty or work ethic that has lost any value in my opinion.
So, for your reading pleasure, I’ve decided to post those “deal breakers” here. Keep in mind that these are items I would quit over. That doesn’t mean that you would…or that you should. Remember people; it’s all about DAN.
1. Lack of Respect
This could be my boss speaking to me like I’m a child or yelling at me like a puppy. It could be distrusting me without cause or invading my personal life. Basically, the employer/employee relationship demands MUTUAL respect and MUTUAL trust.
2. Micromanagement
Of course this is a form of mistrust which is a lack of respect, but it deserves its own itemization. I think you all know what this looks like. Scheduling my day for me, looking over my shoulder…telling me how to do my job. I understand boundaries and expectations, but c’mon. If you don’t trust me, don’t hire me.
3. Expectation of Work Without Pay
This little game is especially popular with non-profits and religious organizations. If I have to work, you will pay me. If I have to work overtime, you will pay me overtime. Period.
NOTE: this isn’t meant to diminish the importance of volunteerism or the value that adds to your life and to the organizations that need it. I’m talking about employment, here. And if I’m employed by your organization, it’s my livelihood so I’m not a volunteer.
4. Uninvited/Unwelcome “Character Development”
Another favorite in the religious sector. My relationship with my employers has only to do with their expectations of me regarding my results and my expectations of them regarding compensation. Anything outside of that scope is unwelcome and will be discarded. Translation: If I want your advice, I’ll ask for it.
5. Work Infringement on my Family/Personal Life
Time and stress levels are a huge part of this. Simply put, if my relationships suffer as a result of the job, it’s over.
6. Mission Integrity
If at any point I believe that the overall mission of the organization is in conflict with my values & principles, I cannot continue the relationship. Likewise, if any actions taken by management or the organization as a whole are in conflict with my values & principles, I cannot continue.
This might have been the most boring post in the world for you. Plus it’s several years old and originally intended to be a journal entry just for me to read. But there you have it. I guess the point is to encourage you to at the very least think through what you’re willing to tolerate at a job before leaving.
Oh, and you should know something. If you are a piss poor performer and you keep leaving jobs for these reasons, you might want to look at yourself first. In fact, any time you’re using a reason to leave a company, you should think long and hard about it and make sure you’re not just leaving because you’re a dud.
But don’t, don’t DON’T stay in a job where you’re unhappy either. It’s 40 or more hours of your life every single week…not worth it at all for some perception of “loyalty” or “work ethic”.
Peath.
Filed under: work
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August 10th, 2007 at 15:11
I think you should write a book, a training manual that should be distributed en-mass to ALL employers. The idiots that actually are in charge of human beings seems to be growing on a massive scale. Im terrified. Im hiding in my bed, covers over my head, biting my nails…praying for a miracle.