OT: HFNYR OT Thread XII - Please read rules in the OP
- Thread starter Megustaelhockey
- Start date
- Status
the halleJOKEL
strong as brickwall
- Jul 21, 2006
- 14,713
- 26,546
guys if you would have just been nice about it you would hvae a good badnwagoner and now you have a guy who wants you to eat poop and buy him pizza
i tried i really did
i tried i really did
Ail
Based and Rangerspilled.
Hey hey hey, don't start pinning this on the rest of us. It was one rogue poster.
the halleJOKEL
strong as brickwall
- Jul 21, 2006
- 14,713
- 26,546
Do you want ants
Thats how u get ants
- Jul 2, 2015
- 1,479
- 1,256
In my defense, I'm really bad at conveying tone over the Internet. I did send him a PM trying to explain as much and that I wasn't trying to be an actual dick. Just a failed attempt at humor. I'll show myself to the fish sticks boards as a self imposed punishment.
Hunter Gathers
The Crown
Oscar Lindberg
Registered User
Look guys auf was mentioned by the HF bot gods
I can only hope to see my name or post tweeted out by this bot one day
I can only hope to see my name or post tweeted out by this bot one day
Hunter Gathers
The Crown
silverfish
got perma'd
tl;dr - I'm a whiny millennial.
*steps on soapbox; clears throat*
My most "millennial trait", easily, is my complete and utter-hatred for the standard American workplace and work week. My hours aren't crazy, at all. I'm usually in the office anywhere from 830-845, pending if I stop for breakfast, and I'm out the door anywhere from 530-630. Not bad, like, at all. I know people who often work 7a-8p every day (though, to be fair, they're probably making 2x my salary or more
)
But like... Sitting. At a desk. Five days a week. 50 hours a week. Humans were not built to do that. It has to be slowly killing us in ways that we don't even know. And not only is it very likely bad for your body, but it's also probably so detrimental to your mental health, as well. Maybe this is just me, since I'm totally burnt out by this job and how underpaid I am for what I do here... but it's just not working for me right now, at all.
My happiest days since graduating college were when I was living at home, and taking hockey lessons once a week at Eisenhower Park. I'd be up at 530am on Saturday for a 7am session. Freshly cut ice. Me and my coach. Normally no one else on the rink. You get there, and you step on to the ice, that first stride into the sheet. The free laps you can do with no one else on there. How freezing you are when you first step onto the rink and how quickly you forget about it once you get some strides in. And then back home by 845 after an hour on the ice. Cup of coffee and breakfast sandwich in hand. The rest of the day to do whatever you please. Man. What a time.
In theory, could I have those same Saturdays now? Definitely. But, I can't afford it. $20 on the LIRR to get home, $70 for the hour long session. Can't cut that when rent alone is 40% of my paycheck.
So I was thinking to myself. Well, maybe I could recreate this? I work in the Empire State Building now. There's a gym in the building. I'm a member. Why not do a morning workout before getting to my desk every day? Well, I think most of the joy that came from those Saturdays was the fact that the day was mine, and no one else's. I could do with it as I please. In this case, it'd be the workout, but then 9 hours of work. Not the same at all.
And further than that, it's the restrictions and the workplace environment that irk me. I stumbled upon a presentation this weekend for how Netflix runs their 'company culture' (https://www.slideshare.net/reed2001/culture-1798664 ). This slideshow is essentially if someone spent a week at my current office, and then was like, okay, what's the exact opposite of that?
The only thing that should matter at work is if your work is done on time, and done well. Nothing else. I'm sick of "work hard play hard". I'm sick of people who think looking like you're working hard is equal to actually working hard. That hours logged at your desk is a sign of pride. **** that ****.
Maybe I'm just totally burnt out. Maybe I'm annoyed at the fact that people who started here after me are getting promoted while I'm not because of the differences in how our departments are run. Maybe it's time to get out of here, and find something better. Maybe I should take a vacation for the first time in 5 years. Maybe I should just suck it up, and understand that everyone has these issues.
I'm just totally over it. I am totally over my days not being mine, regardless of whether or not I have pressing work matters to attend to. If it's April, and a random 75 degree and sunny day, and the Yankees or Mets have a home game during the day, I want to be able to say: "**** this, I'm going to the game". The guilt of being in an office from morning to evening and wasting those days is absurd to me.
I'm sick of living in an apartment that I don't like and paying $1700 a month for that privilege.
I guess it's time to really think about what I actually want to do with the expected 50 years I have left on this damn planet.
*steps on soapbox; clears throat*
My most "millennial trait", easily, is my complete and utter-hatred for the standard American workplace and work week. My hours aren't crazy, at all. I'm usually in the office anywhere from 830-845, pending if I stop for breakfast, and I'm out the door anywhere from 530-630. Not bad, like, at all. I know people who often work 7a-8p every day (though, to be fair, they're probably making 2x my salary or more
)But like... Sitting. At a desk. Five days a week. 50 hours a week. Humans were not built to do that. It has to be slowly killing us in ways that we don't even know. And not only is it very likely bad for your body, but it's also probably so detrimental to your mental health, as well. Maybe this is just me, since I'm totally burnt out by this job and how underpaid I am for what I do here... but it's just not working for me right now, at all.
My happiest days since graduating college were when I was living at home, and taking hockey lessons once a week at Eisenhower Park. I'd be up at 530am on Saturday for a 7am session. Freshly cut ice. Me and my coach. Normally no one else on the rink. You get there, and you step on to the ice, that first stride into the sheet. The free laps you can do with no one else on there. How freezing you are when you first step onto the rink and how quickly you forget about it once you get some strides in. And then back home by 845 after an hour on the ice. Cup of coffee and breakfast sandwich in hand. The rest of the day to do whatever you please. Man. What a time.
In theory, could I have those same Saturdays now? Definitely. But, I can't afford it. $20 on the LIRR to get home, $70 for the hour long session. Can't cut that when rent alone is 40% of my paycheck.
So I was thinking to myself. Well, maybe I could recreate this? I work in the Empire State Building now. There's a gym in the building. I'm a member. Why not do a morning workout before getting to my desk every day? Well, I think most of the joy that came from those Saturdays was the fact that the day was mine, and no one else's. I could do with it as I please. In this case, it'd be the workout, but then 9 hours of work. Not the same at all.
And further than that, it's the restrictions and the workplace environment that irk me. I stumbled upon a presentation this weekend for how Netflix runs their 'company culture' (https://www.slideshare.net/reed2001/culture-1798664 ). This slideshow is essentially if someone spent a week at my current office, and then was like, okay, what's the exact opposite of that?
The only thing that should matter at work is if your work is done on time, and done well. Nothing else. I'm sick of "work hard play hard". I'm sick of people who think looking like you're working hard is equal to actually working hard. That hours logged at your desk is a sign of pride. **** that ****.
Maybe I'm just totally burnt out. Maybe I'm annoyed at the fact that people who started here after me are getting promoted while I'm not because of the differences in how our departments are run. Maybe it's time to get out of here, and find something better. Maybe I should take a vacation for the first time in 5 years. Maybe I should just suck it up, and understand that everyone has these issues.
I'm just totally over it. I am totally over my days not being mine, regardless of whether or not I have pressing work matters to attend to. If it's April, and a random 75 degree and sunny day, and the Yankees or Mets have a home game during the day, I want to be able to say: "**** this, I'm going to the game". The guilt of being in an office from morning to evening and wasting those days is absurd to me.
I'm sick of living in an apartment that I don't like and paying $1700 a month for that privilege.
I guess it's time to really think about what I actually want to do with the expected 50 years I have left on this damn planet.
Megustaelhockey
"I like hockey" in Spanish
- Apr 29, 2011
- 23,573
- 17,741
A lot of people feel the way you do, but the world is still run (for the time being) by people who believe that anyone who looks up from that desk during the work day is "stealing."
You can find a company culture that more closely aligns with your views, but there may be other things about it there that drive you nuts.
I have worked in both environments, super progressive and super old school. Guess which company is the one that's still around and which one bit it in 2009 from spending too much on Pizza Friday and foosball tables.
You can find a company culture that more closely aligns with your views, but there may be other things about it there that drive you nuts.
I have worked in both environments, super progressive and super old school. Guess which company is the one that's still around and which one bit it in 2009 from spending too much on Pizza Friday and foosball tables.
silverfish
got perma'd
Oh, I don't deny it. I'm not saying I'm dying for a total overhaul at my company in terms of culture. I don't need ping-pong tables or "nap times" or free lunches.
What I'd appreciate, though, is adults treating adults like adults. Promotions/raises based on merit and not on time spent. I think having any limits on vacation/sick days is preposterous. And, having set "office hours" is also something I'd contest. Who cares if I'm working specifically 9-5 as long as my work is done when it needs to be done?
Megustaelhockey
"I like hockey" in Spanish
- Apr 29, 2011
- 23,573
- 17,741
It definitely sounds like you need to work somewhere else.
I am an early millennial (i.e. old), and I feel very much the same way you do. I'm a director now and have the ability to dictate more of what I want the company culture at our office to be like. The problem for me becomes when I institute a new, progressive policy and some jerks abuse the system.
Crease
Chief Justice of the HFNYR Court
- Jul 12, 2004
- 24,803
- 27,824
Do you have a comfortable enough relationship with your boss to talk candidly about these concerns? If yes, start there.
silverfish
got perma'd
I know. I like the people here a lot, and that's holding me back in terms of really going out there and trying to find something better.
Well, the thought process there is the people who are/would abuse it are the same people that should probably be let go? Ie. if you remove limitations on vacation days, and someone takes 100 days of vacation in a year, that's probably not the type of person you want at the company.
My department head, yes. But, he doesn't have the authority to make any changes like that because, despite being in our own little bubble of a department, we're still wrapped under the agency as a whole.
Krams
Registered User
- Feb 13, 2012
- 8,042
- 1,982
The Gloaming
23
Silverfish, I completely agree with you. But I think you have to dig deeper. The core problem today is that people are expected to "work" constantly. You're expected either to be working, or learning on your off time to work better. We have been tricked into believing that working / "being productive" is somehow good for us when it's this long term and stressful. The attitude has been cultivated by turning the job market into a Roman Colosseum-styled free-for-all battle among the workforce. The CEOs and upper management end up taking ~ 97% of the money available to be paid to employees, and then the other 3% gets to be divided among us peasants. No, really guys - the CEO's do work 200 times as hard as us! But don't worry, just keep working hard and putting those mindless hours in, and you'll join that club. Less supply, so we get cutthroat competition like this. A mass influx is skilled foreign workers in industries we already have plenty of qualified workers in hasn't helped either. Then everyone gets fancy work titles and a bunch of paperwork that is somehow oh-so-crucial. And now in order to be a good/successful employee, you are expected to be on call in many places on your time off. Emails have to be answered every day no matter what and some companies have fired people for not picking up their phone on their time off. I do not believe for a second that the working atmosphere was anywhere near as stressful back in the 60s or 70s.
This attitude is why Americans smirk when you mention to them that the French take month long vacations every year, and are more productive for it. This attitude is why sleeping in past noon on any day, week or weekend - makes the person a P.O.S in some people's eyes. America is full of temporarily-setback billionaires, who with just a little more hard work, will be on their way to the American dream (which now looks like it's all about hoarding those untaxed billions in various Caribbean islands). But stuff like paid time off, a decent healthcare system, maternity/paternity leave - that's all for freeloaders who refuse to strap in their bootstraps and get to work. And people have been swindled into voting against these important quality of life measures as a result. I could go on, but I think I'll stop here.
TLDR: Decreased wages -> Increased Competition + corporate propaganda = a nation full of overworked, underpaid, depressed temporarily-setback billionaires
This attitude is why Americans smirk when you mention to them that the French take month long vacations every year, and are more productive for it. This attitude is why sleeping in past noon on any day, week or weekend - makes the person a P.O.S in some people's eyes. America is full of temporarily-setback billionaires, who with just a little more hard work, will be on their way to the American dream (which now looks like it's all about hoarding those untaxed billions in various Caribbean islands). But stuff like paid time off, a decent healthcare system, maternity/paternity leave - that's all for freeloaders who refuse to strap in their bootstraps and get to work. And people have been swindled into voting against these important quality of life measures as a result. I could go on, but I think I'll stop here.
TLDR: Decreased wages -> Increased Competition + corporate propaganda = a nation full of overworked, underpaid, depressed temporarily-setback billionaires
I Eat Crow
Fear The Mullet
- Jul 9, 2007
- 19,993
- 13,669
Hey man, we've all been there at some point, regardless of what profession we practice. Right now I'm a nurse that's been working at the same place for the past five years. I finished school in 2011, took a couple of months for myself, and got licensed in late 2011. My first job was an absolute ****show. Small, community hospital that was run on the shoe strings.
Rather than hire me outright, they placed me and a few other new graduates in an "internship" in which we'd rotate between each unit for two weeks and checked in with us to see how we liked each unit, as well as getting feedback from the staff working on each floor about how well we were working out there. My "preceptors" on each unit would sit at the desk on Facebook, shopping online, etc., while a brand new grad without any experience was basically managing a whole assignment by themselves. Eventually, I did get hired there as a per diem (great hourly rate, but no medical, dental, other health benefits or 401k or 403 b, etc.).
The place was outright scary to work at. After three months working on the telemetry floor there, I was already splitting charge nurse time with another much more experienced nurse on the night shift because me and this particular nurse were the only ones with ACLS certification. I would repeatedly apply to open ICU positions where I really wanted to work because I wanted to be independent and have my own benefits and start saving in a 401k, but those same new grads that were in my internship program with me were all getting hired before me. Between that and placing me in an outright dangerous situation putting me in charge of a 30 bed units with little experience, I noped the hell out of there a month later and found a full time job at a hospital much closer to home with an awesome 20 minute commute.
Thing is, hospitals are horrible places to work in terms of treating employees well. I do get 5 weeks of vacation, but no sick days. If we're sick, we essentially take vacation days, and when we return to work, we're shamed for "calling out" and leaving the unit short. I found out the hard way my first year working there that vacation time doesn't roll over from one year to the next. I lost two weeks worth of vacation because I stayed relatively healthy and took two weeks in the summer and only one week in January.
Now, I usually work 13 twelve hour shifts per 28 day schedule. Going for my nurse practitioner now, which I'll be done with next year. Basically, I'm doing clinical rotations about 7-10 of the days I'm actually off per month, but also trying to plan a wedding. It doesn't leave much time for my fiance and I to have a day off together, never mind a day that I can get to myself. Those days are spent cleaning the apartment, paying bills, running errands, and doing homework for grad school. To say I've been stressed out the past few weeks is an understatement.
Long story short though is that we all feel burnt out at some point, regardless of whatever trade you practice. Like Megusta said, sometimes a change of pace can be good. If you're sick of the same routine, shake it up a little. Go to another part of NYC that you've never visited on a day off. Join a sports league that plays after work (trust me, you can find one in NYC if I can find one in NJ that fits my crazy ass schedule). If that doesn't work, start shopping around and update your resume. Try to find a company that has a little more flexibility in the benefits that they offer concerning sick time and vacation time.
If you end up leaving your current job and end up getting hired at another place, ask if your start date can be 2-3 weeks from the day that the job is offered to you, and take a damn vacation, man.
Thanks for reading, I do wish you the best and hope that you all weren't too annoyed by my own venting
Rather than hire me outright, they placed me and a few other new graduates in an "internship" in which we'd rotate between each unit for two weeks and checked in with us to see how we liked each unit, as well as getting feedback from the staff working on each floor about how well we were working out there. My "preceptors" on each unit would sit at the desk on Facebook, shopping online, etc., while a brand new grad without any experience was basically managing a whole assignment by themselves. Eventually, I did get hired there as a per diem (great hourly rate, but no medical, dental, other health benefits or 401k or 403 b, etc.).
The place was outright scary to work at. After three months working on the telemetry floor there, I was already splitting charge nurse time with another much more experienced nurse on the night shift because me and this particular nurse were the only ones with ACLS certification. I would repeatedly apply to open ICU positions where I really wanted to work because I wanted to be independent and have my own benefits and start saving in a 401k, but those same new grads that were in my internship program with me were all getting hired before me. Between that and placing me in an outright dangerous situation putting me in charge of a 30 bed units with little experience, I noped the hell out of there a month later and found a full time job at a hospital much closer to home with an awesome 20 minute commute.
Thing is, hospitals are horrible places to work in terms of treating employees well. I do get 5 weeks of vacation, but no sick days. If we're sick, we essentially take vacation days, and when we return to work, we're shamed for "calling out" and leaving the unit short. I found out the hard way my first year working there that vacation time doesn't roll over from one year to the next. I lost two weeks worth of vacation because I stayed relatively healthy and took two weeks in the summer and only one week in January.
Now, I usually work 13 twelve hour shifts per 28 day schedule. Going for my nurse practitioner now, which I'll be done with next year. Basically, I'm doing clinical rotations about 7-10 of the days I'm actually off per month, but also trying to plan a wedding. It doesn't leave much time for my fiance and I to have a day off together, never mind a day that I can get to myself. Those days are spent cleaning the apartment, paying bills, running errands, and doing homework for grad school. To say I've been stressed out the past few weeks is an understatement.
Long story short though is that we all feel burnt out at some point, regardless of whatever trade you practice. Like Megusta said, sometimes a change of pace can be good. If you're sick of the same routine, shake it up a little. Go to another part of NYC that you've never visited on a day off. Join a sports league that plays after work (trust me, you can find one in NYC if I can find one in NJ that fits my crazy ass schedule). If that doesn't work, start shopping around and update your resume. Try to find a company that has a little more flexibility in the benefits that they offer concerning sick time and vacation time.
If you end up leaving your current job and end up getting hired at another place, ask if your start date can be 2-3 weeks from the day that the job is offered to you, and take a damn vacation, man.
Thanks for reading, I do wish you the best and hope that you all weren't too annoyed by my own venting
Thirty One
Safe is safe.
- Dec 28, 2003
- 28,981
- 24,357
Crease
Chief Justice of the HFNYR Court
- Jul 12, 2004
- 24,803
- 27,824
If you're right, then it is clear you need to find a new company/career more in sync with your values.
silverfish
got perma'd
Thanks for sharing. I know I'm not unique, but def needed the space to vent/rant today
I am a poser.
I know that. I really do. I just can't figure out "what". Well, I wanna work for an NHL team, but, that ain't happening
I also really do enjoy most of the people here.
But, I'd say a good microcosm of what I'm "dealing with" here.... You really only get raises at your yearly review. My year is in August, I got a raise in October. A few months ago, I found out people at the same level as me, but in different departments, are making more money than I am. Now, I know this is going to make me sound like an ass, but my department is the most important department at this agency. We're by far the most profitable, and the skills required to do this work are above everything else we have here.
My apartment lease was going to be up at the end of this month (we extended to run through the end of July recently). A month and a half ago, I spoke to my supervisor because after I leave my current apartment, I want my own place, and I need more money for that. Basically said: "Listen, I'm underpaid. Not only by industry standards, but even by company standards, and I'd like to rectify this". She said okay, that she'd talk to the department head, and get back to me. Fast-forward to the next day, she says they spoke, and she totally understands. She sent me a study to the industry standards of analytics departments around the city and what they make. I'm making $17K less than my counterparts, and they know it.
She told me that the study was sent to the COO of the agency (this is something that she has a vested interest in too, as I'm sure she's overpaid), and it's being hung up with him.
Haven't heard **** since.
It was such a total, placating, bull**** of an answer. And it'll never come up again until I bring it up again, which I plan on doing soon, because I want that 1BR
Intra-office politics are another thing I hate. I shouldn't have to go out there, and interview at other places to get an offer to make my current company pay me what I'm worth.
Just ****ing treat people like people
Krams
Registered User
- Feb 13, 2012
- 8,042
- 1,982
I have never worked in an office, so I sympathize but can't necessarily empathize. But looking at it from the outside I have to imagine that, with a few exceptions, benefits are better now than ever, no? Extended paid maternity and paternity leave has been a big push, wellness/fitness programs are a new thing, ancillary benefits, and this isn't a benefit but the most obvious perk of all, telecommuting is huge now with the Internet.
It sounds like your company hasn't adapted and you just need a change of pace. promotions are nice, but any raise in pay is going to be based on a percentage increase from your current salary, not the market rate they'd pay for an outside hire. Seek out options, play the market and look to find a similar (or slightly more senior) job for more money elsewhere. From everything I've read in the past couple of years, the average US employee tends to do better financially when they consider moving around every so often. Even if the pay is only marginally better, you need the change of scenery. Loyalty to your company is something that ought to have died with the baby boomers--there ain't any pensions in the private sector anymore.
It sounds like your company hasn't adapted and you just need a change of pace. promotions are nice, but any raise in pay is going to be based on a percentage increase from your current salary, not the market rate they'd pay for an outside hire. Seek out options, play the market and look to find a similar (or slightly more senior) job for more money elsewhere. From everything I've read in the past couple of years, the average US employee tends to do better financially when they consider moving around every so often. Even if the pay is only marginally better, you need the change of scenery. Loyalty to your company is something that ought to have died with the baby boomers--there ain't any pensions in the private sector anymore.
Thanks for sharing. I know I'm not unique, but def needed the space to vent/rant today
I am a poser.
I know that. I really do. I just can't figure out "what". Well, I wanna work for an NHL team, but, that ain't happening
I also really do enjoy most of the people here.
But, I'd say a good microcosm of what I'm "dealing with" here.... You really only get raises at your yearly review. My year is in August, I got a raise in October. A few months ago, I found out people at the same level as me, but in different departments, are making more money than I am. Now, I know this is going to make me sound like an ass, but my department is the most important department at this agency. We're by far the most profitable, and the skills required to do this work are above everything else we have here.
My apartment lease was going to be up at the end of this month (we extended to run through the end of July recently). A month and a half ago, I spoke to my supervisor because after I leave my current apartment, I want my own place, and I need more money for that. Basically said: "Listen, I'm underpaid. Not only by industry standards, but even by company standards, and I'd like to rectify this". She said okay, that she'd talk to the department head, and get back to me. Fast-forward to the next day, she says they spoke, and she totally understands. She sent me a study to the industry standards of analytics departments around the city and what they make. I'm making $17K less than my counterparts, and they know it.
She told me that the study was sent to the COO of the agency (this is something that she has a vested interest in too, as I'm sure she's overpaid), and it's being hung up with him.
Haven't heard **** since.
It was such a total, placating, bull**** of an answer. And it'll never come up again until I bring it up again, which I plan on doing soon, because I want that 1BR
Intra-office politics are another thing I hate. I shouldn't have to go out there, and interview at other places to get an offer to make my current company pay me what I'm worth.
Just ****ing treat people like people
I just started a job at a Fortune 500 company out on LI 4 months ago, and I've been tracking my progress in Key Responsibility Areas (company buzzword) in hopes that I have a leg to stand on when it comes to these kind of things. From what my coworkers have told me they're pretty generous though, so we'll see.
I totally get what you're saying though. It's definitely a solid living, but it's not satisfying in the slightest.
Ail
Based and Rangerspilled.
The bottom line for any company regarding any employee should be whether or not they are getting the job done. It shouldn't matter if it's in one hour, or 10, and shouldn't matter if it's at 9am or 9pm, at the desk, or on the couch at home. My girlfriend probably does real work for 20 actual hours a week from home, and she's always well liked by her employers because of the job she does and everything they ask of her gets done. Her boss basically told her she can take time off whenever she wants in any increment of time so long as she is always around for meetings (actual planned vacation withstanding) and her work is getting done. Talk about the ideal system.
I have the same problem with college professors who fail students or remove them from a class for attendance. The only thing that should matter is whether or not the student does their work and passes the exams. If they cheat their way through or pay others to do the work they're only hurting themselves. If it were me, and a student didn't show up to one class, but turned in every project and passed every exam, good for them and clearly they did not need to be in class in the first place. Why am I going to fail someone who demonstrates they know the course material well? Why am I going to fire someone who does a great job and helps my company make money?
I have the same problem with college professors who fail students or remove them from a class for attendance. The only thing that should matter is whether or not the student does their work and passes the exams. If they cheat their way through or pay others to do the work they're only hurting themselves. If it were me, and a student didn't show up to one class, but turned in every project and passed every exam, good for them and clearly they did not need to be in class in the first place. Why am I going to fail someone who demonstrates they know the course material well? Why am I going to fire someone who does a great job and helps my company make money?
Agreed with this. I went through the same thing with my first job out of college. The hours were insane for little pay but the company kept pushing the "work like a dog now and we'll take care of you down the line." It was all ******** and I thankfully jumped ship before I was too ingrained in the company and had no easy way out.
I was in a very similar situation as you, silverfish, and I'm starting a new job with a new company on Monday. I knew I was underpaid based on the market. I knew I had a very specialized skill set that was vital to the success of the project I was working on. I knew the company didn't have anyone available who could replace what I brought to the table. I knew my bill-rate for clients, and thus I knew exactly how much money I generated for the company directly each year. I raised flags with my direct manager and he knew full well that everything I said was true, but he's also a friend and he said my concerns were falling on deaf ears.
A lot of companies don't feel the need to pay people appropriately until they're threatened in some way. Either the person says they're leaving, or they sense that the facade is fading around them and they need to appease them somehow. The company I am leaving is the same way. I told them for months we needed to hire up, and that it's hard to find developers who can do this kind of work; That we're competing with very large, established companies in town for talent. I told my boss, who told his bosses, that I was no longer ignoring daily calls from headhunters. I started to see just how sought-after I was in the space, and I knew that would make it even harder for them to replace me. I told them that. Nothing. Finally I came to them with an offer from my new company and they asked what it would take to keep me, and I told them not to bother. 5 months of "Hey, I'm going to quit and you guys are going to be screwed," and they never cared until I had an offer in hand.
The company I'm leaving has a lot of those "new era" workplace perks. Ping pong tables, beer in the fridge, company happy hours, etc. I wore shorts and flip-flops to work in the summer. They gave us "flex time" instead of vacation days, and it's a load of crap. All it does is save them money when people leave the company, and it makes people feel guilty about taking time off because they have no idea if other people are being as liberal with it as they are. It's not like Adobe's sabbatical program that lets you take 4 weeks off to do whatever you want after you've been there 5 years, but they try very hard to market it that way.
I'd test the market and see what's out there. You might find something that works for you. But honestly, I think you have to sit and have an honest look at what it is you want. Money is great, but if you're making more money and still miserable for 40 hours a week, it's just never going to fix things. I'm actually taking a step backward in responsibility at my new job, but I'm working in a new industry with a newer stack and far better compensation at a huge, well established company. So don't be afraid to pivot to get to where you want to be.
A lot of companies don't feel the need to pay people appropriately until they're threatened in some way. Either the person says they're leaving, or they sense that the facade is fading around them and they need to appease them somehow. The company I am leaving is the same way. I told them for months we needed to hire up, and that it's hard to find developers who can do this kind of work; That we're competing with very large, established companies in town for talent. I told my boss, who told his bosses, that I was no longer ignoring daily calls from headhunters. I started to see just how sought-after I was in the space, and I knew that would make it even harder for them to replace me. I told them that. Nothing. Finally I came to them with an offer from my new company and they asked what it would take to keep me, and I told them not to bother. 5 months of "Hey, I'm going to quit and you guys are going to be screwed," and they never cared until I had an offer in hand.
The company I'm leaving has a lot of those "new era" workplace perks. Ping pong tables, beer in the fridge, company happy hours, etc. I wore shorts and flip-flops to work in the summer. They gave us "flex time" instead of vacation days, and it's a load of crap. All it does is save them money when people leave the company, and it makes people feel guilty about taking time off because they have no idea if other people are being as liberal with it as they are. It's not like Adobe's sabbatical program that lets you take 4 weeks off to do whatever you want after you've been there 5 years, but they try very hard to market it that way.
I'd test the market and see what's out there. You might find something that works for you. But honestly, I think you have to sit and have an honest look at what it is you want. Money is great, but if you're making more money and still miserable for 40 hours a week, it's just never going to fix things. I'm actually taking a step backward in responsibility at my new job, but I'm working in a new industry with a newer stack and far better compensation at a huge, well established company. So don't be afraid to pivot to get to where you want to be.
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