I was inspired by a recent post that described an actually pleasant work experience within the many horror stories of r/antiwork, because I had a similar experience.
For many years I worked as a restaurant server. Eventually, I got sick of the grind and wanted to find something that offered health benefits.
A good friend called me, letting me know that the place he worked was looking for phone customer service reps. I was hired a week later and began the job, making less than I could schlepping food, but…at least I could go to a doctor regularly.
I worked there for 3 years, had a good relationship with my bosses and co-workers and I did my best to do a good job.
Eventually, I decided to look to see if I could make more money elsewhere and still get benefits – and I did. I found a similar gig making 25% more with a comparable health package, for a large energy company. The kicker was that the new job was literally a block away. So, after giving my notice, they asked if I’d like to occasionally open the office in the morning for them since my new job started 2 hours later. I gladly accepted because I was riding the bus at the time and would get to the area early anyway, and I was saving to buy a car.
For 6 months I would open 2-3 days a week for my old job, then walk over to my new job. One day the Vice President (who was always a big proponent of mine) called and asked me to make them an offer to come back full time in a managerial position, that would include travel across the U.S., which I was very keen on, and would have me off the phones. I made an offer. She called back the next day with a salary higher than my request. I accepted – obviously. Not to mention, my current gig was extremely toxic and depressing.
Cut to 3 years later and I’m happily traveling the country, making decent money, with frequent raises. But I still wanted more, so I decided to go back to school. The first few years I was able to take either online classes, or schedule them after work hours. As I got closer to graduation all the upper-level classes I needed were in the middle of the day or some other inconvenient time, and there was no way I could get a full 40 hours. And…they were cool with it. They made me a salaried employee and never mentioned anything about the time I missed for class.
After I graduated, I stayed for one more year while a planned my exit, to which I found out later they assumed was coming soon after received my BA. I found an opportunity to travel and teach, and do all the things that make me happy.
After nearly a decade, I put in my notice, and it was all graciousness and sadness from myself and the owners. Months later, the CEO even gave me a stellar recommendation which I was told by my new employer was the reason I got the job (I worked online for a few months while traveling, until landing a job at a non-profit).
Now, the point of the post isn’t to regale you all with a story of a good work experience, more so, it’s to say that even if you are employed by a place that respects you, your time, and your goals…DON’T SETTLE! If you believe you can do better, then go for it. The experience I described above SHOULD BE the norm and don’t let yourself be fooled into thinking you can’t find something that benefits you more.
There is hope out there comrades!
P.S.
With all that being said, this sub has really taught me the importance of recognizing my self worth. At the very least, it has shown me what not to accept from employers.