We recently had a presentation covering burnout and strategies to overcome it.
It was sort of hilarious.
They correctly identified that burnout is rooted in excess responsibilities, but neglected to mention that feeling a lack of control plays an huge part. They also covered that people can feel unrecognized for their efforts but weirdly seemed to skip over any mention of how an insufficient reward for efforts plays a part, too.
Their suggestions to address it were all employee-focused: Stay away from negative people. (What, so you all can’t talk about how much the job sucks?) Mediate. Practice gratitude. Set boundaries in your home life, so you’re not so stretched thin. (But not your work life?)
They clumsily and quite obviously avoided the question of what role the employer plays in workplace burnout.It was a bit sad to watch the poor trainer in action. I know they’re just trying to make sure the gleaming maw of capitalism remains unblemished by the flesh of those it consumes, but woof.
I actually walked away from the presentation with a less positive outlook on my employer than I had before I attended.When up is down, and left is right, and black is white, and in is out, and rich is - well we don't talk about that - it's no wonder that people feel all twisted inside. It's like everyone in a position of authority is trying to lie to them!? (probably b/c everyone in a position of authority is trying to lie to them)
Which causes people to turn towards religion. Which causes them to vote for Donald Trump. Which causes the downturn of society, which causes... dayum, can this ever end in anything but death?
Sadly, I think not. The golden era of 50s & 60s are gone, and they are NEVER coming back. Plan to have a roommate, I guess, for the rest of your life...
Task failed successfully! Look, if you want me to have a read of your résumé before hitting the market, I'm open...
Only way to change things is by negotiating from an even playing field (and that's by leaving!)
This made me laugh because the HR lady at my company made an email about such "resources" recently.
HR is corporate gestapo, anything you say can and will be used against you, but by all means share your inner demons with them.
Only talk to HR about benefits and raises. Everything else seek outside representation before speaking to HR
That's from when McDonald's made a budget for their workers. They first assumed you had two jobs. And that with prices that were too low for a decade ago when this was made
Health insurance as $20 a month? Wtf
Pro-Tip: try not to die.
(but make sure to be on your time for your shift, or your (sic) fired!)
Or just get a perfectly normal, average salary, like this single parent with 2 children the wallstreetjournal posted about in that same year:
Cable and phone $100?
Even a decade ago people were spending t at least that much on phone service, not including the cost of the phone.
If any of those "freely provided resources" can identify you, they're gonna tell hr about it, who will then find a way to fire you before your problems become their problems. That's the "early intervention" corporations are paying those services to provide.
Can confirm. Was recommended a company provided resource due to my struggle with anxiety, depression, etc at work. Was fired not long after.
Just as I started to get my shit together too. That was a kick in the balls.
Hey, it could be worse!
Years ago, I had a roommate struggling with debt and inability to hold down a job. She was talking with her boyfriend online about committing suicide. He lived about an hour away and couldn't get ahold of me, so he ended up calling 911. Police came to our door and forced her to go to a mental evaluation by ambulance. They held her for 4 hours, told her she's fine, and gave her a nice $4000 ambulance bill to add to her debt. Yay America!!
We have a program, Portland Street Response, that tries to be a substitute for police when dealing with mental crisis response, especially our large population of homeless people. It was making a difference, then the politician backing it was voted out of office. Her replacement has deprived it of funding. It's very frustrating to see at the worst time.
Employers that don't make pizza parties...
Have you tried stretching on your break?
Boy: daddy, is this loss?
Dad: yes son, it absolutely is.
Have you also tried stop beeing depressive? That also helps.
