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Antiwork

Don’t offer a “No Strings Attached” program if you’re going to act like a toddler…

Please excuse any formatting, spelling, or grammar mistakes as this is written on mobile. So this story takes place some years ago. As I was graduating high school, I began a 4 year long apprenticeship with a company consisting of about 20 people. This program was actually really awesome. You get paid for your work (obviously), they pay for your school, and they paid for the days you were in school, and best of all: NO STRINGS ATTACHED. They loved to advertise that aspect as it was listed on every flier, banner, and sign advertising for the apprenticeship. I loved my job, all of my coworkers, and the bosses, especially the president of the company. Sadly, midway through the program, President was promoted to a different position and a new president was hired. For the last two years of my program, I was in a position that would directly interface…


Please excuse any formatting, spelling, or grammar mistakes as this is written on mobile.

So this story takes place some years ago. As I was graduating high school, I began a 4 year long apprenticeship with a company consisting of about 20 people. This program was actually really awesome. You get paid for your work (obviously), they pay for your school, and they paid for the days you were in school, and best of all: NO STRINGS ATTACHED. They loved to advertise that aspect as it was listed on every flier, banner, and sign advertising for the apprenticeship. I loved my job, all of my coworkers, and the bosses, especially the president of the company. Sadly, midway through the program, President was promoted to a different position and a new president was hired.
For the last two years of my program, I was in a position that would directly interface with customers. Basically, the customers would come in to test the product, which could last for weeks at a time, and we weren't allowed to leave for the day until the customer was ready. So, for weeks at a time, my coworker and I would work 14-15 hour days for 6-7 days a week. This kind of work REALLY took a toll on my mental health as well as my relationships. At the start of my last year, I realized that this was way too much and began exploring my options. I ultimately decided that going back to school was my best option and that I would not be able to do so while working these ridiculous hours. So with 4 months left of my apprenticeship, I find a new job that made me $6 more per hour and had MUCH less overtime.
As I didn't want to spring this on my boss at the last minute, I proceeded to give them 4 months notice, basically letting them know that once I graduate from the apprenticeship, I would no longer be working with them. I continued on by saying that I was very thankful for the opportunity they had given me, and I hoped that there were no hard feelings. You guys, this man FLIPPED. With his whole face turning shades of purple, he proceeded to yell that “OF COURSE YOU'RE THANKFUL, WE'VE ONLY INVESTED OVER $200,000 INTO YOU”. I sat quietly as he continued on by saying, “You know, I could just fire you right now and you'd never get your journeymen card and certificate”. I calmly looked at this grown man who is foaming at the mouth and said, “You very well could do that, but we have x amount of projects going on from now until graduation and (coworkers name) cannot do it all by himself. I am giving you such a large notice as a courtesy to you and (coworker), and I'd hope you'd see it as such.”
Long story short, I worked the rest of my notice and trained the new employee that would be taking my position. Once I left, boss became tyrannical. About 6 months later, I found out from a friend that I thought was still working there that almost half of the employees had quit once I had shown them that there were truly no strings attached.

Bonus: When the old president found out that I had turned in my notice, he came and found me at my station and proceeded apologize for presidents actions and to congratulate me on trying to better myself, and wished me luck with my future endeavors (he really was an awesome guy).

That's my story! I hope you guys enjoyed it!

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