As a Gen-Xer, we were taught by our boomer parents that if you work hard, you'll succeed in life. After all, this is 'murica.
I did ANYTHING my employers asked. Work late? No problem! Need help w a project? I got you! If I wasn't early to work, I was late. Extra pay??? Naw, I'm just helping however I can.
Of course, companies were able to get away w this kind of treatment because everyone was desperate for a good job. Globalization, women entering the work force, and “trickle-down” economics affected the job market so much that we put up w all kinds of abuse.
The thing that gets me, though, is that we never considered it abusive behavior. People just accepted that your company and boss basically OWNED your ass. And that mentality belonged to everyone. A screaming manager was thought to be completely acceptable behavior.
I've learned so much from this sub:
1) Employment is a business arrangement, period. You agree to do a job for compensation. Going the extra mile might make a difference for some small companies, but you will most likely just end up killing yourself for nothing.
2) Being poor even though you're working full time means you're being exploited.
3) WE NEED TO BRING OUR UNIONS BACK!!! This is the only way we can survive the reign of terror that is capitalism.
I now work a job that treats me very well and pays fairly. I wouldn't have looked for something else if it hadn't been for antiwork.
Thank you for teaching me my value.
TLDR; learned a lot from antiwork