M, 53 Texas. Born and bread Ny'er for 30 years living in Texas for the last 23.
I hope this is acceptable. I used to work for Fiserv and I lost my job because I downloaded a piece of software that made doing my job easier and it was not on the approved list of software, zero tolerance, fired. 13 years tenure with an exceptional work record. Not why I am here. Fuck Them, their loss. (that should cover the anti work thing.)
When I found my current job I was desperate, I had lost all of my 401K in an attempt to start my own business and I was out of money when I got the call. It was from a manager I had worked with over a number of years prior to and inclusive of Fiserv and he as with a new startup that needed Support folks (I would be #2.) This was his second call to me, prior to this I had already turned him down, not this time.
Granted, I was lucky, I had worked under the CEO at Fiserv when we were Checkfree, and the CFO/COO and VP of Client Services so I had a reputation and some cheerleaders but I needed this job, my accounts were empty and I had zero prospects. I walked into the interview in a wool suit in August, In Texas, the interviewer was in a Marvel T-Shirt and flip flops. First words were ” You come to us with a reputation, the job is yours, all you have to do is accept” Heavy! I had nothing to lose, it was a $20k pay cut from my previous corp job but I currently had nothing and was bleeding money so I took it.
August 14 was my 9 year anniversary here and I could not he happier unless I was rich and not working. Over 9 years I have moved up 3 times and eventually out of Client Services / Support to the Product / Delivery side of the company about 7 months ago. The company has always treated me well. raises were yearly and mostly based on effort with some accounting for 'budgets' for years I was ahead of the curve, add bonus and stock grants and I am doing very well for a non-degreed HS Graduate.
My company pays well but the workload is high and fast and not everyone lasts but when I started 9+ years ago we were at 40 employees and we are pushing 900 now and with that growth comes an expected and required level of effort that is not for everyone but is well rewarded.
All that to say, they are out there! Companies that expect and pay for effort and respect a work life balance ( I take 4 weeks off a year.) Its not all bad, keep looking. If you are in Fintech and looking, hit me up. We are in Texas but we are full remote now. If you want an office, we have one but you dont have to come in, its up to you. I love my job, its possible, dont give up.