This is just a rant I've been thinking about since I began my new job that I love. I'm working at a large company with a brand name tons of people would know for the first time in my life, after years and years of working at failing small businesses that not even people in the city they're located in would have heard of.
My current company treats us VERY well. We're paid very well, have great benefits, and the company culture is such that we actually want to hang out with co-workers and do networking events outside of work (And we're not given shit for declining). Most people who have worked at this company have been there for at least 10 years and often turn down better offers to work elsewhere. We're also REWARDED for going above and beyond the call of duty, which makes us invested in the success of the company.
So it absolutely boggles my mind that many small/nothing companies take advantage of workers who put in the extra mile by giving them more work. Or when a worker leaves just giving their responsibilities to the most enthusiastic employee so they can do 2 people's jobs for the price of one, thus killing their drive and motivation. Or threatening the employees' well-being or employment any time a hiccup comes up or the employee shows dissatisfaction (“Don't like it? There's the door!”).
This is why small companies stay small, they don't value employees and/or they're run with short-term goals in mind instead of long-term goals.
My favorite is any time I'm job searching and get interviews, the smaller companies are always the ones with the biggest egos. “Why do you want to work for X? What can you do for X?” It's like dude, you're offering money for work and I need a job. This office is located 10 minutes from my home in an area where I frequently am and I had no idea you existed until you posted the listing. Or worse, they ask these questions about what you can do for the company, but this is the third time in 2 years you've seen postings on Indeed for this position at this company.
Prior to my current job I had learned how to business by doing the opposite of what my past companies have done. Now I'm working for a successful company and it's great to learn what makes it successful, what makes it work, and what makes the customers happy.