Typically, when an individual goes to an employment interview they make several possible statements such as "I'm a good worker, I'm a quick learner, I'm a team player, I can work without direct supervision, you can count on me." Essentially statements meant to sell themselvs to the interviewer and to put their best foot forward. A noble gesture and generally appropriate. When hired they're presented with the tasks of the position, the salary or hourly rate, the hours, benefits, and so on. What is called the compensation package. They accept the offer of employment, begin working. Now let's move forward.
The worker now has moved from a position of no income to one of employment and an income. Surely a great thing to accomplish. Yes, surely. So what are these observations?
They're miserable on the way into work each day. They can't wait till their hours pass. They feel underpaid and over worked. They don't smile. They feel unappreciated. Their world is miserable. This for a job that they yearned for, accepted the terms of. They cash the check every payday and enjoy the paying of bills but when their bills exceed the income their comments are that they aren't being paid enough. However, they stay in the job and don't quit.
What is happening here? In life we choose work and education according to it's appeal for us. We become attracted to the idea of a certain profession, trade, occupation. We also are attracted to how it will enhance our self esteem, social status, economic standing, and what we will be able to acquire with the income. An individuals self concept is tied directly to the type of work that they do. In fact, much of an individuals worth is tied up in the work that they do, or so it seems. Success, whatever that is, is measured by one's work in life, as is one's attractiveness to a mate.
For the employer, it's a matter of economics, cost, profit, in other words, a business decision and not one of personal dimension. Investment of millions of dollars, return on investment, liability, safety, and on and on. They hire someone to peform tasks and pay an hourly rate or a salary for that work to be peformed. They are not interested in the employees career ambitions, personal satisfaction, or likes or dislikes. They simply want the job to be done. Nor are they responsible for these matters pertinent to the employee.
Now its not that an effort isn't made to communicate or to negotiate, or to clearly make an intelligent and mutually beneficial agreement. It usually starts out that way but discontent sets in and the relationship deteriorates. However, if the work remains available, the salary is paid correctly and on time, and the work conditions remain stable and legal and safe, the employer has preserved the integrity of their offer to the employee.
So what's happening with the employee? Why does a job that provides an income, stability, and security become such an emotional and psychological event in the individuals life?
We hear all the time about resume preparation, embolden certain words, and creatively author the document to shine the brightest light so that we may compete better and present the most attractive picture of ourselves. Then we attend the interview where we make the most promising and compelling statements designed to inspire the interviewer into hiring us.
What's really going on in this transaction? Is it really based on communication and trust? Is there an underlying ambition on the part of each party to maximize their gain? Naturally. It isn't always a win-win situation. I observe that the relatonship is a cat and mouse game of manipulation, deception, and evasion. Employers say that employees lack skills, work ethic, responsibility, flexibility, and so on. Employees say they're over worked, underpaid, unappreciated, and so on. Not a very healthy adult relationship by any means. Adversarial by any chance?
All in all, this posting is for the purpose of suggesting something to the workers. With millions of Americans looking for work, the fact that you have a job is a real advantage regardless of what you feel is insufficient. An employer does not respond favorably to the complaints of unhappiness after they decided to hire you. Actually, no one is influenced in a positive manner by complaints. Squeaky wheels do not always get the grease. Many times the wheel is simply replaced. Who wants to hear it anymore? If you feel that you would be happier elsewhere than just go and leave all the misery out of it. As they used to say, don't look a gift horse in the mouth. No one owes anyone anything anymore so I suggest to bite the proverbial bullet or quit.
That's it.
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