To start with, I'm from Egypt. This is just a rant.
I just turned 32, been working working as a freelancer since I was 18. My work was in media, but I did a lot of things, photography, videography, translation, sometimes as an AD, and most recently editing.
This was what I did for almost 12 years with some call center gigs in between when there wasn't much work or I was just bored and needed the routine.
Although my work wasn't consistent I managed to cover my needs and lived alone from ages 20 to 25 till I had to move back in with my parents to help with my dad when he got sick.
Ever since COVID there hasn't been as much freelancing opportunities available so I started looking for full-time work at a place where I can build a career and blah blah blah.
So finally I found a multinational media corporation, I worked for them as a freelancer from home for 6 months then I joined in as a full-timer in a another position 3 months ago. But this had to be from the office. Which is fine by me. As I don't really like working from home, and they offer transportation.
All sounds good till now. But when I came to the office and met the people working here and how they work, that's when the shock came.
I'm very apathetic when it comes to all things really. But work especially. That doesn't mean I'm not a professional that comes on time and does their job. But that's really all they're getting from me. I still technically work as an entry level employee, so I just do what I'm told by my direct manager. While keeping my own documentation of course. The couple of times I noticed something and tried to be proactive about it I was told it's not my job. So I stopped.
But most of the people I've met here so far have molded their whole identity around their work. And because we're multinational, we have a main branch in the United States. So our times are inversed. Which means that end of the day here in Egypt is the start of the working day in the states. Which means all meeting with personnel over here are done on their personal times, not the company's time. Which means it can get as late as 12 am and you'd still be working.
When I came in I was given the options between night and overnight, I chose overnight for several reasons but mostly so I'd be alone while working. My shift starts at 12:30 am, but I'd still have my manager calling me at 1 am or sometimes later to check how things are going. Even though he'll be in himself 8 hours later at 9 am. And that's really the case with all the higher ups or anyone whose job includes contact with someone from the US.
I just feel sorry and sad for them. Like how empty of uneventful must your life be to focus all that much time and effort into work.
When I first joined my manager was giving me a pep talk, which was mainly about what HE had done, where he worked before, how much he did, and even mentioned our department manager and how much he works, that he'll sometimes be sending out emails at 4 and 5 am. And he was really bragging and being proud of himself. And it's a sentiment I've heard repeated from several other. I just wanted to give him a hug!
Even my colleagues get swept up in the work drama, always gossiping about work, or bragging about how much they've done for the company, or how long they're been there, while still being in the same position as me, a newcomer.
Which is not to say that I'm Mr work/personal life balance, but I just do what's expected and nothing more. But this environment has completely demoralized me in terms of the professional growth I was looking forward to. Because if being promoted means working like that then I'd much rather stay where I'm at and be able to go home, leave work at work, get high, and cuddle with my dogs.
Sorry for the article but it's a slow work day, more like a no work day, and I'm fucking bored!