Been job searching and so many places only offer the standard M-F 8 hour shift. It would be so much nicer to have 4 days x 10 hr shifts or 3 days x12 hours shifts, but unless you're in Healthcare no employer wants to do that.

Imagine if we had a 3 day (or 4 day) weekend how much easier it would be for work life balance. Errands would be much easier because places aren't packed madhouses like they are when you try to grocery shop on the weekend. You can't even get parking spots where I live.

You'd have time to spend on hobbies, taking care of the house, yourself, do little trips, and if you have kids you'd be able to spend more time with them and possibly avoid daycare altogether (which would save hundreds of dollars and be better for the kids too). You'd have more time to meal prep. You could even do a side hustle type of job with a 3 or 4 day weekend.

Commuting would be easier. For me it's just easy to stay if I'm already working and 8 hr shift, what's an additional 2 or 4 hours? I'm already in work mode. It would save a lot of gas and wear and tear on vehicles, which saves me money and is better for the environment.

Seriously why is this not an option?

Those billionaire bitches forget that its actually US that are making all of their money, grinding our bones to make their bread. Especially now with Elon tring to get its shitty little fingers into the US treasury and access to our personal information.

I'm a trans dude being fucking erases by the government again and I can't still idlely by anymore, I can just let these putrid, repugnat people decide that I don't deserve to live as I am because it disagrees with their Christian ideology. We don't deserve to have the nation's money funneled directly into the pockets of billionaires and politicians. We don't deserve basic rights to be infringed upon for simple being diversity. We don't deserve some species of shit to scalp all out data to try an control us.

Prices are rising, it's 11 bucks to buy eggs, if you depend on a car like majority of the us then I know you dread it when the gas starts to run out. They are trying to price us out of life, out of the simple pleasures because we dare to be so insignificant by being born in the wrong family or wrong social class.

So why not a walk out. I don't know when I indent this be be an open space to talk and try to figure shit out. Of course mods can delete this I don't care, it's up to them.

But I can't live like this.

You can't live like this.

Why not a walk out on the national level? It's going to be hard but when is life ever easier. We have to fight for a future we want to live in.

I'm tired of earning shit wages, going to school knowing that by the time I'm done the carreer I wanted is going to be hanging on by a fucking string. I'm tired of shameless display of power by Elon Musk and Trump and Vance. They are not here to serve the country, they are here to line their pockets and push their policies that help no one but themselves.

I'm sorry if this is all over the place and shitty, I'm tired of being walked all over, I'm tired of my forensic being taken advantage off and abused by the system. I'm tired of seeing people every day who are struggling to even scrap by while every white guy with money gets to gorge at the table.

Well.. technically 1 termination, pending the second.

I know I'm in good company to post this here as someone who loathes and is anti-work but is, ultimately, forced to do so to survive.

To make a long story short: Two years ago I made a big jump from a career I'd been in for ~10 years to a new role doing something entirely different. At job #1, after 8 months, I was let go for "misuse of company time" because there were 2 days where my monitored activity was extremely low (days where I literally had nothing to do and supervisor had no time for training me). I begrudgingly took job #2 in February 2024, and yet again, in a completely different field with a fortune 100 company where I had an internal referral. I was doing great until I wasn't - some part of it is on me, a good amount is on their piss poor training regimen and your typical corporate obsession with 120% being considered 100% for metrics. I went on medical leave for about 5.5 months and within 3 weeks of returning was placed on a PIP for under-performing (despite everyone on my team failing the same metric - but no PIP for anyone but me). My manager and his manager do not like me and it shows - the feeling is mutual. Nothing is ever enough, not even achieving 100% of a metric. I have 23 days left in my PIP as an at-will employee and my motivation to do even the bare minimum is non-existent - I am almost positive this week I will be let go due to the clause at the end of my PIP stating that if any steep decline in performance is observed, I could be let go early. I sincerely hope this happens on Monday because I am absolutely miserable.

Getting to the point: what are some ways you would professionally describe "why" you were let go or why you no longer work for XYZ, given the context above? How "honest" would you risk being?

According to the internet, in my state, a prospective employer can ask a previous employer for factual information like employment dates, job titles, work performance, and eligibility for rehire.

Though I'm not perfect, I do genuinely feel like I have been through the worst-case-scenarios of trial-and-error when trying to "change careers" in my 30s... I think its important to mention that, before leaving my previous decade long career/field, I have NEVER been fired or placed on a PIP. At the end of the day, I just want somewhere to stay potentially until retirement age while I pursue my actual dreams on my own time.

Thank you for any help or advice on how to approach this topic/any questions pertaining to the "why" behind the end to my two most recent jobs.

Evert since I was in middle school, I was promised that, with a good degree, I could just pick whatever job I want.

Lies and lies all around.

I has my engineer degree 5 years ago, but I can't find a proper job. I either got hired for a specific time, and at the end of Mt Co tract, I was basically said "thanks for completing the project, here us the door !" Or, I got hired for a job where I had the same wage than the 20 you secretary, who had a husband to make ends meet.

Two Yeats ago, after a client insulted me and my boss did nothing, and I couldn't find a job where I lived, I finally made the decision to move 2000 miles away and start fresh. It was hard, I left everything but my cats behind.

I found a first job that fired me a month into it because I wasn't "pulling my weight enough" by just working 12 hours a day instead of almost 14.

I was contacted a month later for one huge project in the area, one that had to last at least until 2027. I thought that would be it. I thought I could get permanently hired by this company, and remain with them even after the end of the project.

They are cutting the number of engineer on that project on February.

I was shown the door once again.

I have been looking for jobs in my area, but I can't find anything. Either the wage is ridiculously low, or they call me to tell me I don't have the experience they want, but they'll keep my resume, just in case, or the HR don't pick up their phone on the day and time we agreed upon and don't answer my emails.

I had an interview last week for a job I really, really want, even if, once again, it's for a limited time. I was stressed. I stuttered. I had troubles finding my answers.

I'm sure I screwed it up.

Another candidate was waiting outside. He looked stress-free and sure of himself.

I'm just waiting for the call telling me he got the job and not me.

When it arrives, I'll have to accept another offer. I dodkt receive any yet. I have an interview for a job 2000 miles away from where I live. They offer to pay for the transport between where I currently live and where the project is, but they won't do anything more. I have cays, I can't leave them alone for the week, so I'll have to move again if I don't find anything else.

I do t want to move again, but I can't remain jobless. I don't have that kind of savings.

And the project last just 11 months, so if I accept this, I'll have to start everything over next year.

I had finally built a life here, I was finally making friends.

I don't want to move, but I don't see any other solution.

I wish I wasn't told those stupid lies. I want to go back to a time where everything was more simple, with my parents and siblings, where WI just had to worry about my grades.

I can't do this anymore....

https://youtu.be/B-nIHrXbig4?si=vS-SPGMiZ0z7FyV9

Careless at work you are just a mechanism, a exchangeable number on a piece of paper. Unique but still same.

I’m so sick of this. I’m a broke undergrad who’s been applying to literally any job I can find for the past year... retail, fast food, cafes, you name it. No car, so I’m limited to my college town. 63 applications later, I’ve had exactly TWO interviews. Rejected both times. Even McDonald’s doesn’t want me.

It’s not like this is new either. I was getting rejected even in high school when I first started applying. Even my college posts jobs for students, and guess what? Rejected from those too.

I don’t have “real” experience because I grew up poor and worked in my family’s small business instead of getting internships or high school jobs at corporate chains. Work-study isn’t an option, FAFSA says my family makes “too much” (spoiler: they refuse to help), and scholarships aren’t an option either. How exactly am I supposed to gain experience if no one will even hire me for the most basic jobs?

The few jobs I have managed to land were sketchy as hell—high turnover, straight-up lies in the job postings, toxic work environments. None lasted more than a few weeks before either I had to leave or the place collapsed in on itself.

At one point, I even considered selling feet pics because people on the internet act like it’s some easy money hack—but turns out, unless you already have a brand, marketing strategy, and high-level production, it’s just as useless as every job board I’ve applied to.

I keep hearing “nO oNe wAnTs tO wOrK” but somehow, I'm begging to be exploited and still getting nothing. Is this just how it is now? Is this my fault? Because at this point, I’m genuinely wondering if I’m doing something wrong or if the system is just completely broken.

The Wage Doom Calculator was created to provide a way for people to consider how much they should spend on rent, food, healthcare, etc. based on their hourly wage.

WageDoom.com

Is this accurate?

Happy February everyone! It’s been a tense first month of the year to say the least. I’m curious in regards to current news and state of our world. What’s the end goal? Since COVID, the world has changed ALOT. We’ve seen so many goods, services and cost of living factors rise across the board. We also work more than ever and are really doing our best. It doesn’t feel like enough…often. But yet we keep going. If the government and corps intend to keep raising cost of things and corporations continue to make record profits but we don’t get paid more on top of paying more for everything….whats the end goal? They want everything to go to shit and still make us show up for work? Forever? I’m just trying to understand if the working class is exhausted and broke and broken down…why would they want that if they want us to keep working? Or is there something I’m missing? I know I might be naive in asking but I want to hear what y’all think. Were we always destined to end this way considering how this country started? I know we are modern slaves in a way, I’m just not sure what the future holds and I’m in school right now not making much but really hoping for the best. We shall see how things continue to unfold as the years go by. (Just want to say I really appreciate this sub since I found it last year, it would’ve really helped me when I was going through literal hell in 2020 at work but here we are baby!)

I'm living in shared suite, my furniture is cardboard boxes and a mattress. I eat ketchup & mustard & sugar in sandwiches on stale discounted bread. Macaroni with same thing. Oatmeal with just the sugar. I So I'm at work, a minimum wage job. Boss says my socks and shoes aren't professional. I have 3 pairs of identical sport socks light blue, shoes are light brown sketchers. If I have to buy shoes and socks I'm not going to be eating at all. Don't even know what I'm asking. I understand theft now.

This is what Mike Braun and the Republican Party want to go back to. Kids working in mines, steel mills and so forth.

Just got a call from my owner this morning that I'm being let go. Absolutely no legitimate reason as my performance has always been impeccable and I've never once called off in 4 years. Guess they don't need one since I live in Florida. I bent over backwards for these people and they couldn't even give me the courtesy of an in person talk or a thanks for everything that you've done.

It's easy to see that they just couldn't afford me with all of their talks about cutting budget the last 6 months. Fortunately I've made great connections and I have a job liked up right away but it's just insane how little these companies care for their employees.

Can't wait until the inept owners run this place into the ground.

Rant over lol

I have long held the belief that cooking is the hardest way to make money, but I'm curious if there is a less lucrative and more punishing job one can pursue. Bear in mind culinary school (which I was fortunate enough to dodge tuition) was basically all donated work hours as well as getting a job (stagéing), intern and externships. All that is skill training so as to reach the level of proficiency so that you can perform to a level that you can hold down the kitchen alone as the labor cost is constantly being closely monitored and cut and if you are "lucky" enough to be the last one standing the entirety of the food program rests upon your shoulders meaning every edible ounce in that establishment now goes through you and is your responsibility. Given all that and my hourly is less than the number of years I have been doing it I possit that the culinary arts are the most work for the least pay. Am I wrong?

I'm a IOS develper in Bay area for almost a year and a half. I still get like 5-6 messages at least from LinkedIn every week about possible opportunities mostly at companies like startups.

I don't want to waste their time since I'd not consider joining startups at this point of my career (also due to visa issues) but I feel like my interview skills will get rusty over time if I don't keep practicing them.

Is it a bad idea to take their calls and take the interview even if I probably stay where I am anyways?

I feel so powerless. I put in my two weeks’ notice recently because my manager suddenly started micromanaging me and being hypercritical. They brought up “mistakes” I made and said I wasn’t a self-starter, even though they don’t give me tangible feedback or clear expectations. They haven’t spoken to me in the two weeks, which is fine with me. But to add insult to injury, I am expected to get my farewell message to the organization approved by them first. Then two days before my last day, I am given a “below average” performance rating. My manager is so vindictive. They are making it so difficult to not burn this bridge by being actively hostile. Not to mention they were already paying me less than the posted salary range because I was an internal hire with “not enough experience” without them specifying what skills I was missing.

Any recourse for the lone worker?

This article touches on every point, a must read:

https://kirstenpowers.substack.com/p/the-way-we-live-in-the-united-states

Fuck america. Fuck this compassionless world that we live in.

I texted my manager several days ago, informing him of my stepdads illness and that I'll probably be taking a lot of time off to go see and help take care of him. I said I can try to get my shifts covered but it will be a lot of shifts and I asked if he could help me with that since this is a hard time.

No response

Im probably just not going to show up anymore. I dont need any more bullshit on top of this. Let him figure it out.

Like many people recently, I've felt hopeless in being able to change anything. I'm wondering if there are things we can do on a daily basis to "eat the rich" so to speak.

Here are some things I've been doing: -No Meta accounts -No Amazon purchases -No Walmart (essentially attempting to not shop at big stores) -Shop at farmers market or local groceries -Eat at local restaurants -Moved investments out of Fortune 500 ETF into small business ETF (may be stupid but I don't want them to make money off me)

I'd love to hear other suggestions. Reading posts and getting angry is great but if we don't do anything it doesn't matter.

Say a shift is less than 8 hours

Them right after you clock on: "Can you stay 8 hours today?"

Sorry, I already have plans

Them "WhAt pLaNs?"

Sorry, but once I said I already had plans, that should be the end of the discussion. The reason I can't stay is completely irrelevant.

Maybe there's a second job, family stuff, a place to go before they close, spouse stuff, kid stuff, scratch my anus then smell my finger, or hell even if I have nothing lined up and just want to be home. Being home after a scheduled shift is still having plans. Since I didn't even want to leave anyway.

I just hate when they give stupid comments after I say I can't stay. "You never stay". Ok

I've never shown up and asked to leave early. So it doesn't go both ways

At this point, we might start spending years at a company without ever seeing a real face, or even a real person 😐

I hope this doesn’t get deleted. I am posting this on as many subreddits as I am a part of and hope it spreads. Americans, start a vegetable garden in your homes and local areas. Food prices are about to skyrocket and growing your own can offset this. Spread the idea. There are also community gardens all around for those In apartments.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/01/business/cfpb-rohit-chopra.html

I know it was to be expected, but after this last week of press conferences, and as he is set to enact tariffs on Canada and Mexico today, this feels like an extra kick in the pants to be cruel to us.

Their power comes from the stock market - make sure your 401K and any other investments are not tied to Tesla or Amazon. Cancel all Amazon subscriptions & shop local. Sell your Teslas for dirt cheap (I know that won’t be possible for most…)

work(ed) in "restaurant" bar in baltimore maryland and because we were a man down (hes on vacation and my owners can't staff for shit) i was given a 25 table section outside while my coworker (bottom pic) had a wasteland 6 table section. we pool tip which with my hospitality skillset i am essentially subsidizing the laziest group of peoples paycheck i have ever worked with in my ***** life. yes, i brought in 700 in tips while my coworkers rarely crack 150. no there is no food runner, no busser, and no barback. those are 3 extra things i was doing simultaneously while not dropping a single order or frowning while still getting triple sat on top a of that. but since its a tip pool at best i may see 200 dollars of that 700 after taxes. ive been here for 6 months because it was close and an easy commute and i know/knew a few people that work here so it didn't seem so bad at first but then i realized i usually put numbers up like this on top of working 50 hours a week and then getting several checks that dont even add up to minimum wage (1350 bi weekly or 15/hr). i knew something felt off when i saw that a lot of my paychecks would be near the same dollar amount with little to zero fluctuations over the last 6 months no matter how busy or slow it was and feeling super uneasy about it. i thought about getting the law involved but the time effort and cost would be monumental. anyways i quit immediately,after printing my checkout, went out after and cried my heart out on the dance floor. probably scared the hoes but i felt free for the first time in years 💃

So this was from a conversation I had with a friend today. For the record we're in East Asia so sensibilities might differ.

She is a workaholic by necessity ie constant contact from bosses, worrying about work etc. and getting her to disconnect and chill has been a problem.

Out of exasperation, I told her: "Almost ALL companies will pay you less than what you're worth and what you put in. If you're paid 80% of your value, why would you put in 120% effort? That's just bullshit."

While it seems she understood my point, I think getting people to even see this is a challenge. So workers of the world, please... Learn to detach and disconnect. If you get into an emergency, the corpos' main concern will seldom be sincerely about your wellbeing

Which is true, my past jobs were short, switched jobs and got fired a lot. Im 27 now and getting a job offer is super hard, been unemployed for 2 years now. Its affecting my self esteem and mental health. i tried to work on some start ups but dont have enough motivation or passion for anything. I tried antidepressants but still dont find any job or career interesting. I AM TIRED. I feel like a loser.