There’s a particular flavor of workplace dysfunction that thrives in Chicago offices, and it’s the kind everyone pretends isn’t racist, s-xist or classist because they call it “fit” and “professionalism.” But we see it. Who gets promoted. Who gets visibility. Who gets coached. Who gets written up for the same thing someone else gets praised for. HR isn’t confused; they’re complicit! The end! IF you dare say something about the disparities—how certain faces always rise and certain others always plateau—you get the corporate sermon about “opportunities for development” or “taking initiative,” as if the issue is your work ethic and not the rigged ladder. Meanwhile the pay here is an insult with direct deposit. They tell us morale matters, they tell us culture is important, and they host a lunch once a year to prove it. But when people burn out, get vocal, or simply ask for livable raises, suddenly the budget evaporates. Funny how it returns every time a favorite gets bumped up a level.
The worst part is they know morale is low. They’ve known. They’ve done surveys, held town halls, launched committees, ordered branded mugs and stress ba--s. The answer is not a mystery. People are tired of being underpaid, undervalued, and watched like suspects while the chosen few glide. And don’t come at me with the classic “If you don’t like it, leave.” Leave to where? They are all hiring at the same salary and running the same playbook? The whole ecosystem is built on keeping people grateful for scraps while pretending the problem is our attitude. We shouldn’t have to contort ourselves into silence or gratitude to survive a job. We shouldn’t be expected to normalize racism dressed up as “professional readiness” or favoritism dressed up as “high potential.” We shouldn’t be made to feel disposable while being told culture is everything.
Morale doesn’t matter here!!!! People matter here only when they’re useful and only when they look like the archetype leadership already decided on. And I’m tired of the lie that this is just how corporate life works. It doesn’t have to be. They just choose it.
5 replies (most recent on top)
This company is very top heavy with diversity, more than any its size I've seen. If you think it's racist here? Then you must be think everything, everyone, everywhere is racist. Might want to step back and reflect on that.
Our HR is particularly incompetent. I don't think they're bigots, just run of the mill stupid.
Agee, it’s so draining the whole system. Managers can care less they are just happy being yes mam’ to their directors. It’s so foul here and everywhere. The reviews are just pointless to be fair. It’s always one excuse or another as to why we should not want to explore a promotion or talk about a raise because there’s never enough money. There’s always money. There’s always some other department handing out promotions while we just rot in ours. I hate it here and I hate that this is the culture.
@cy 100%
Good post, yes, of course HR is complicit, that's not a secret. HR is not there to protect you from the company, HR is there to protect the company from you.