A few months ago, I left a corporate America job and chose to go back into leftist/left-ish movement work (where I had spent a lot of time and energy in college). I got a cool job in nonprofit work, and after negotiating up from a lowball offer of about 42k in an expensive metropolitan area to a more manageable 62k + car stipend, I was living the dream. I was in a staff union of my own, and the only hurdle was a probationary period of 6 months.
I've been in political and community organizing before, so I know that hours are unpredictable and it's normal to work evenings, weekends, extensive hours, all the fun. I'm fine with that with the expectation that I'm respected for doing that extra stuff. I love the work. However, I was shocked into reality by the “leadership” and callousness exhibited to employees. Between the low-ball offers and bad-faith patronizing stances taken by management during new contract negotiations, to the disregard for personal interests and work-life boundaries, I'm blown away.
US employers don't care about your well-being unless it works well for them.
A few weeks ago, I was offered a really cool stipend for a summer course overseas, and I wanted to take it because free education is something I can't take for granted in the USA. On top of all of this, it is to be held in our slow season, so it shouldn't be a huge hassle. I asked to burn my year's 15 days of PTO and take the remaining 5-6 days unpaid in the spirit of our contract allowing for “educational leave” (with manager's approval). I was told no because there was no precedent for sabbaticals. I responded citing the educational leave clause, and got ghosted without a response for 10 days. Today I was pulled into a meeting and told I was being fired because I “wasn't a good fit for this role”. They couldn't cite any specific grievances.
It's crazy how quickly they could turn on a dime from not being able to afford me leaving for a few weeks, to firing me outright once I was willing to stand up for myself. They clearly want employees who are willing to serve them at the expense of their own wellbeing, and throw them out on the street when they show any signs of personal standards. This is an organization that regularly posts about the hurdles working people experience between high rent prices, student loans, cost of living crisis, and low pay and disrespect from employers.
I'm out on my savings now until I find something else. Ultimately, I'm not even sad because I know I didn't do anything wrong except show that I cared about my own personal development and was willing to cite my union contract during an unfortunately vulnerable time in my employment. I'm considering still going to the summer course.
Vent/story over. Screw probationary periods and at-will employment. Screw US work culture.