Like every large corporation, the place I work for has just recorded record profits. This is mostly due to us being the “budget” option, and with inflation, more people are opting to do business with us because our competitors are too expensive.
At the new year turnover, we were essentially informed that in an effort to keep the newcomers, we were opting for a more service-based operation (as opposed to the more efficiency-based). The tagline management are now parroting is to be self-actualised. I’m paraphrasing, but that’s the gist.
Here’s my deal: like all workers, our pay rises did not keep up with inflation. I rent, I have a car repayment (the cheapest one I could find on the market) and after those two things, I’m really tightening the belt. My grocery bill is double what it was three years ago. I can no longer afford most meats. I mostly live off rice and tinned tuna. I would love to have a dog, because I’m single and lonely, but there’s no way in hell I can afford one. My job is physically demanding. I would love a monthly massage, but then, I can’t afford that either. When I get given time off, I can’t afford to go away some place nice and do nice things. The work itself is tolerable, but can be super draining if you’re already tired, malnourished, and under stress.
I just feel like it’s super out of touch and highly inappropriate to demand employees to be self-actualised at work when we’re barely able to meet our basic needs. Guaranteed this vision was made by a person or persons who own at least three properties, a company vehicle, and have enough money and time off to afford fulfilling lives outside of work.
Is there any way to communicate to management that this has a sent a very insulting message to workers, and is actually turning me off from continuing to work with the company?