Antiwork

So, thanks to this sub I realized it was time to move on from where I was. I found a fantastic new job (Full remote, 30% pay increase and MUCH better working conditions) quickly. Now, what was my mistake? Well, I was just beginning a new project when I gave notice, I knew the company was shorthanded so I figured I would bust out as much as I could on this project to give them a good start on the project along with a good blueprint on how to move forward. The company early on had done a lot for me, and one of the owners was a friend of mine so I really wanted to leave on good terms and try to set up the next developer for success. So, I did. Knocked out a ton of work in the final 2 weeks, drew up a nice handover document…

​ https://preview.redd.it/n6s7zpz0ebi81.png?width=495&format=png&auto=webp&s=3cbcec941aeb662bc8643b8e5fa0b524a6be1ef7

So, I've had a bit of a frustrating experience with San Diego's government… I applied to be a temporary contact tracer for COVID-19 back in December. A few weeks later I got a call from a worker who interviewed me for the position and days later, I received an offer letter in an email with my hourly, formal job description, and additional documentation that was needed for a background check. I completed the documents in the 24 hour time frame that was given and was told that the background check would take at least three weeks. This was all right before Christmas, so I wasn't stressed since it meant I would have more time to go home and see my family. Fast forward to the middle of January and I still had not heard any updates regarding the position. Reached out a few times and was told there was delays…

In response to several people calling in sick, the company I just left instituted a “vacation” policy. Everyone is paid hourly with the only exception being management. Hourly workers have no paid time off PERIOD. The people who called in did so for multiple reasons: One was in a (no-fault) car accident and her doctor begged her to take time off, one got the flu, and then I got COVID-19. As fate would have it we all called in within the space of a few weeks, and clearly management did not like that. A few days after I turned in my two weeks notice we were all told about a new “vacation” policy. Everyone is now limited to two weeks of (unpaid) vacation and five (unpaid) sick days. But wait, there's more! If we use up our five sick days, it gets deducted from our vacation! Wow! How generous! Sarcasm…

I'm currently in the US looking to move to the UK on a Skilled Worker visa. My wife and daughter are in the UK and I have no way of moving to the UK otherwise and we don't want to live in the US. Wife also can't work and I have no savings. While I respect the guy I've been talking to regarding the job because he'd be hiring me as a favor, the work schedule just reminds me so much of one of the reasons why my wife and I chose to not have a life in the US in the first place – the abhorrent work-life balance and work culture. The job is also an apprenticeship in conveyor belt engineering, if that matters. Idk how things work in the UK but is this normal? Am I supposed to be ok with working 55 hours a week, 6 days…