Well… I’ve been in the workforce for 36 years, so not new to this, but finally defeated. This sub has really helped open my eyes and changed my perspectives on capitalism and corporate America.
I’ve worked in this job in healthcare for 17 years. Naturally, with the pandemic, this job has been particularly challenging the last two years.
At my last review, I didn’t even get the full, available 2.5% raise (Woohoo, right?!) because of some nonsensical reason put forth by my manager who provides zero feedback on ANYTHING throughout the year. I could have/should have fought them on it, but I’m honestly SUCH A HARD WORKER… ALWAYS TOEING THE COMPANY LINE AND GOING “ABOVE AND BEYOND” that I was honestly too rattled, in the moment, to respond. I’ve NEVER been “too rattled to respond” in my life!
A couple of months later was “Employee Appreciation Day”. We received three pieces of Bit O’ Honey candy in a plastic bag, from overly-smiley HR drones.
The last straw was last week. I’ve never taken a vacation longer than a week in 17 years. Right at the start of the pandemic, we had an important, 2.5-week European trip cancelled. We used the credit from that to reschedule a 2-week trip to Alaska, coming up in a few weeks. As a courtesy, reminded them that I was going to be out for that vacation, that they approved, and boss says, “So close to the big system upgrade? We know where your priorities are!”… in front of a room full of peers.
I have to say that all of my duties related to the “big system upgrade” are more than handled… like I said… I’m a hard worker.
Between the shocking review, the sincere “appreciation” from a $1B company, and now questioning my priorities… I’m just done. Each day is such a wearisome slog to 5 o’clock!
The only light at the end of the “~14 more years before I can retire” tunnel is that this manager retires at the end of the year. /sigh