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.
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.This would be funny if it weren’t 100 % true
It really is. We have to do a yearly health incentive thing that requires going through PowerPoint about certain topics. This is exactly the kind of shit.
“Feeling sad? Try a salad! Some greens are sure to put you in a good mood?”
“Grief got you down? A funny movie is sure to cheer you up?”
“Want to retire by 65? Put 70% of each paycheck into a high interest high risk account!”
Yup, I recommend Office Space.
Would be more true if they stabbed the hand, because after they suggest budgeting, that employee will be put on a list and be first in line to be terminated due to being incompatible with the work culture of pretending to be shiny and happy living in subsistence.
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
Omg they didnt include food in monthly expenses. The entire $25 has to cover FOOD
They figure all their workers stealing food.
