Antiwork

I'm trying to find an article from a few years back. I recall it made reference to the situation with Tesla, but I recall it also made some good points about small business owners in general playing the role of both (1) “petty tyrant” over the millions of franchise restaurant employees as well as (2) financier for Republican campaigns to rig the economy. Sound familiar?

As an anarchist and a history nerd I feel the need to point out: THE SORT OF IDEOLOGICAL GATEKEEPING THIS SUB IS CURRENTLY ENGAGING IN IS HOW LABOR MOVEMENTS DIE In the real world we do not have the luxury of worrying about ideological purity, the hard facts are that we as anarchists are a tiny, tiny minority. If we want to actually accomplish ANYTHING beyond sitting around having a philosophical circle jerk we need to be open to working with ANYONE who is willing to work with us in good faith, no matter how misguided we think they might be. Creating an atmosphere of hostility and exclusion like y'all are doing not only deprives us of allies, it deprives us of recruits.

Quick rant: I am 24 years old and make $37,500 a year with a bachelors from a prestigious university and while pursuing a masters. There are little to no benefits. I keep getting more and more responsibly thrown on me with 0 pay increase. My end of the year bonus was laughable. Toxicity: Constant partying and drinking. If you don’t drink you don’t fit in here. You’re expected to attend all the company parties which is just everyone getting drunk off their ass. They stress that working here is like being in a family which is complete bullshit. I come to work, talk to 1 or 2 people who I like and avoid the frat like culture of everyone else. I will be seeking new employment because I am worth a lot more than I am making. I can’t wait until they beg me to stay since I’ve been here…

I’m so upset that my dream of financial independence has been destroyed. After saving up for years, the rise is home prices has taken away my ability to purchase and escape the cycle of poverty that comes from renting. Homes around me have gone up by$100k which is twice my annual salary. So in one year I have already lost two years worth of work – literal anti-work. I hate this system and am so done caring what happens to my community.

I’ve been at my company for over 10 years. I was promoted 3 times, then demoted last year for no reason except “work/life balance.” (I was really doing 5 jobs at once and voiced my complaints.) The environment of the office has become so toxic, I can’t even believe it. I used to love this company and looked forward to going in every day. Lately, I have been crying on the way in. The universe must have heard my pleas for a change because right before I was due to go back to work after I went on vacation, I had an accident and got hurt. I now may need surgery. My coworkers thought I was faking it. The bright side is, I should be able to recover from this and I’m ok. As I have been home, I’m realizing that it’s not worth it anymore. My kids are happy…

This story is about someone we shall call Will. Will worked for this company for 30 years. A quite guy always did is job never missed a day and never complained. Suddenly Will is gone and doesn't reappear for several months. He returns briefly to retire, Will has terminal cancer. Company has a “retirement party” but instead of pizza they order BBQ since it's a special occasion. Most ppl attend including upper management many of whom started in the early years with Will. As the half hr “party” wraps up because it's actually lunch break and everyone must return to work the ultimate finale happens. Will is presented with a gift from the company for all his his years of service as he prepares to die. Will receives his 100.00 gift card to Best Buy. Will dies two months later and his service info was never even posted on the…