Used to grind: stay late, extra projects, crush it. Reward? Emoji thumbs-up, 2% raise (lol inflation), then piled with more work.
Meanwhile minimum-effort crew dips at 5 and skates by fine.
Loyalty’s a one-way scam; hard work = free labor.
Fu-k going above and beyond. Act your wage, do the bare minimum, guard your sanity.
Who else quit hustling and started coasting?
3 replies (most recent on top)
For years I did the whole "get in early, leave late, volunteer for projects, take on extra roles, etc..."
Know what it got me? I became a "Jack-of-all-trades" and a "master of none". I ran around like a squirrel with its head cut off, constantly in motion and achieving very little progress on any given task while being pulled in 20 different directions.
We'd have headcount reductions. We'd run up against deadlines without the proper staffing to actually meet those deadlines. If we got to post a new job, we'd be directed to hire for the Bangalore (India) office. If we couldn't fill a position, then I typically would "fill in" while waiting for the approval to hire that never came.
I thought "my tentacles wrapped in everything" would buy me Job security, but... Nope.
I was laid off 6 months after my 60th birthday. for the next 6 months I diligently searched for a new job. Sent out resumes, filled out applications, talked to people on the phone. It all went well until it was time to meet for an interview and the folks hiring got face-to-face with me and saw my actual age in person.
I was never hired and now 3 years later I remain even more unhireable than when I first lost my job. That's okay. I spent years, while employed, getting rid of debt, paying off my house, and planning to live a much cheaper life. It's mostly working out.
...and the guys who wouldn't compromised? The guys who'd whip out and read me their job descriptions if they were to be asked to take on additonal roles? Well... They stayed focused on their original job, became masters of their tasks, and many of them continue to work at whatever CommScope has become after I left several years ago.
Never compromise. No one should be expected to do the work of multiple positions. If there is a job that needs to be done and isn't covered by an employee, then the company needs to hire another person. Don't think for a minute that if you sacrifice your time, effort, and sanity to the company that they are going to be appreciative of your efforts. They won't. They'll just see you as the mule the can weigh down with tasks until you break and then they'll discard you without the slightest hesitation.
Take advantage of the company.
Pretend to work and get paid for it. I been playing this game for over 10 years and they still haven’t figured me out.
If they let me go like I’m the loser, no buddy you guys paid me to not do sh-t for years.
Companies don't care about you. Make your money and live your life.