Antiwork

I have been out looking for work lately. There was a job opening for a bi-lingual receptionist at the local university. They needed someone who can speak English and either Arabic or Mandarin Chinese. I have experience living and working in China. I speak the language, I know the culture, and I am usually a bit of a novelty for most Chinese speakers because I don’t look like what they expect. They were offering a $250 finders fee for anyone that could come take the position (due to them being so desperate), but wouldn’t pay it to me or to a friend of the family that also thought I would be a good match for the job because they had “also contacted me directly.” -whatever, no biggie Then, they have me sign a bunch of contracts and stuff to get put into their “third party system” where they presumably work…

I have worked at the same place for almost 15 years. I thought I had it good. Lots of freedom, several promotions, lots of paid vacation. I progressed up the ladder as far as I could. I was working 12 hr shifts days and nights revolving with no chance to recuperate. On top of that my commute was getting longer and longer upwards of 3 hrs a day. About 5 months ago I was told that I was going to get a day shift position and the interview was a formality. 2 weeks later they gave it to someone else. The manager asked me to drive in to tell me the decision. I figured it was good news so I asked for it on the phone. I was beyond surprised. That's when it clicked. I had been a lurker for a while on antiwork and was starting to realize that…