I'm the HR manager in a small manufacturing plant. I got into it because I thought I could help advocate for the employees here (traditionally underserved populations; basically people like family, friends, and community members growing up). But as much advocacy as I do, I'm still just a cog in a machine that is looking to grind these people to dust. I'm compelled to write because I'm processing employee evals, and they're a fucking joke. What makes a good employee? Someone who works themselves ragged, takes on tasks that aren't theirs to complete, and says “thanks boss” when someone hands them a plate of shit and tells them it's a porterhouse steak. I hate it. But I can't find a job doing anything meaningful. I try every day.
Make good choices when you're young. I didn't. And even though I've got a BA and 15 years professional experience, I'm stuck in this shitty job in a shitty state surrounded by good people at the bottom being taken advantage of by wealthy people at the top