This post is going to be a little on the abrasive side for some, but what I want to point out is that however ‘fond’ of your job you are please do not be fooled by it.

… and I would like to share some of the reasons why. Some you will already know, others you won’t.

What sparked this off was an article that I read yesterday, which you can read here about how Bain Capital are moving their ‘profitable’ car manufacturing plant to China.

Now, you and I know that that is not cool for jobs in Illinois, but ofcourse that is only looking at it from our viewpoint… From Bain Capital’s it’s obviously a bit different.

Before we get in to the real situation of what is happening I would like to start with what I perceive to be the ‘benefits’ of having a job.

Why is it that so many of us sacrifice income for stability and security?

For the most part, people get jobs either by falling into them or by actively taking the ‘easy’ route. There’s also the stability and security mantra; don’t need to think about much bar the task at hand… Someone else does the real thinking for you…

Bit harsh maybe, yes, but more-often-than-not true.

In the past, the whole ‘goal’ for life was to ‘get good grades, get a decent job and diversify your portfolio‘. If you were born in the 80′s or earlier you probably have had that mantra beaten into you from a young age..

But as we all now know, times are very different…

The philosophy of being ‘employed’ is to essentially get looked after in exchange for your time. As an ‘employee‘ you sacrifice some of your profitability to the company…

… The company won’t hire you if they can’t profit from your services more than you get paid, that would be totally unproductive on the business’ behalf. So, being an employee you selling yourself short..

… But with the understanding that you will get a steady paycheck (so you can figure out a lifestyle around the monthly ‘income’ constant).

There will also be medical benefits for some employess and the liklihood of an ever increasing paycheck over time (more rapidly increasing if you get promoted along the way)

All sounds great…

But it’s no longer the case.

Job security doesn’t exist… Ask the Sensata plant staff, they’ll tell you all about it.

… Oh and if you do still have a job… It’s unlikely you are earning more than you were earning in 2008 right?

So in reality, these days having a job and sacrificing your ‘own’ profitability doesn’t bring you anything extra in terms of benefits or security.

So why are so many so precious about it?

Beats me.

Also, and this is really going to hurt, the chairman of your company has a legal duty (called his/her ‘feduciary responsibility‘) to make as much profit for the shareholders as possible.. In most cases irrespective of the consequences, especially when it comes to their staff’s employment status..

The article about Bain Capital illustrates that too.

I wish no ill to the workers at the car plant as their situation isn’t pleasant I’m guessing… Training your successors, but why on earth would you do it? For the sake of a month’s wages, I’d tell ‘em to fuck themselves if I’m honest.

You want me to seal my own coffin so that you can move my job away with as little interruption as possible?

Get real!

It is becoming more and more obvious that people are going to need to escape the employee psyche and start to take matters into their own hands and be the people that they really know that they can be…

Business owners building their dreams, NOT those of the shareholders of Bain Capital.

As ever... Leave your thoughts below :)

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