The new political agenda (???)
Here is a post on CNN.com discussing (briefly) the decline in the number of companies that offer flexible scheduling. They're getting rid of it even though it has been proven to increase productivity. And people are afraid to ask for it if they don't already have it.
This fear dominates all our lives so much. We Americans need to find a way to reduce this fear (it's impossible to get rid of it). Here's a few suggestions:
1. Last time I checked, the working American made up the vast majority of the voting population. Sure, only 1% of Americans hold over 10% of the nation's wealth, but the remaining 99% of us have more political power as long as we begin to think for ourselves. Tell our politicians that unless they force corporations to stop treating their workers like slave robots, they're fired.
2. Save your money. It's already a relatively well-subscribed suggestion that any person should have at least 4 months' worth of expenses (rent or mortgage, food, bills) in their bank account before they go spending their mad cash. Increase that a bit. Give yourself some peace of mind; and...
3. ...If you know you're a good employee at where you work (based off of your past reviews), ASK for it, dammit! Ask for that raise, or for the flex-time. Unless your boss is a complete moron, he will at the absolute worst tell you "no." If he fires you over it, you can bet your bottom dollar he'll be next; because companies honestly cannot afford to lose high-quality workers, no matter what the job market looks like. And remember--this is also a very litigious society. They can't just up and fire you without a good trail of paperwork stating why, lest they open the door for a parade of lawyers. And if it's just a "lay-off" you receive, you can still take legal action if you know you have had good if not better reviews than other co-workers still working. Maybe you'll win, or maybe not; but you will still cause the company grief (and some bad press) in the process. And then the company's bottom line is negatively affected. They don't like that. You have to take the bull by the horns.
4. Form community or neighborhood support groups. Not only might you be able to help one another with food (etc.) if it comes to it, but your neighbors may have contacts for you to get a new job if you DO get fired/laid off. Networking--the 21st-century corporate America buzzword. It works! That's how I got the job I have now!
It all boils down to this: you may not be a powerful person, but you do have some personal power. Don't hand it away just so you can get the latest X-Box game or for a new SUV (which guzzles the gas that costs $2.40 a gallon on average). Be smart, and there will be bigger payoffs than just more money in your bank account. YOU will be in more control of your life. Believe me...after what I've gone through in the past 4 years, the feeling is incredible.
Power to the people! (raise fist now)
This fear dominates all our lives so much. We Americans need to find a way to reduce this fear (it's impossible to get rid of it). Here's a few suggestions:
1. Last time I checked, the working American made up the vast majority of the voting population. Sure, only 1% of Americans hold over 10% of the nation's wealth, but the remaining 99% of us have more political power as long as we begin to think for ourselves. Tell our politicians that unless they force corporations to stop treating their workers like slave robots, they're fired.
2. Save your money. It's already a relatively well-subscribed suggestion that any person should have at least 4 months' worth of expenses (rent or mortgage, food, bills) in their bank account before they go spending their mad cash. Increase that a bit. Give yourself some peace of mind; and...
3. ...If you know you're a good employee at where you work (based off of your past reviews), ASK for it, dammit! Ask for that raise, or for the flex-time. Unless your boss is a complete moron, he will at the absolute worst tell you "no." If he fires you over it, you can bet your bottom dollar he'll be next; because companies honestly cannot afford to lose high-quality workers, no matter what the job market looks like. And remember--this is also a very litigious society. They can't just up and fire you without a good trail of paperwork stating why, lest they open the door for a parade of lawyers. And if it's just a "lay-off" you receive, you can still take legal action if you know you have had good if not better reviews than other co-workers still working. Maybe you'll win, or maybe not; but you will still cause the company grief (and some bad press) in the process. And then the company's bottom line is negatively affected. They don't like that. You have to take the bull by the horns.
4. Form community or neighborhood support groups. Not only might you be able to help one another with food (etc.) if it comes to it, but your neighbors may have contacts for you to get a new job if you DO get fired/laid off. Networking--the 21st-century corporate America buzzword. It works! That's how I got the job I have now!
It all boils down to this: you may not be a powerful person, but you do have some personal power. Don't hand it away just so you can get the latest X-Box game or for a new SUV (which guzzles the gas that costs $2.40 a gallon on average). Be smart, and there will be bigger payoffs than just more money in your bank account. YOU will be in more control of your life. Believe me...after what I've gone through in the past 4 years, the feeling is incredible.
Power to the people! (raise fist now)
posted by xanadian at 8:31 AM
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