this post was submitted on 11 Oct 2023
1390 points (96.9% liked)
Work Reform
10045 readers
24 users here now
A place to discuss positive changes that can make work more equitable, and to vent about current practices. We are NOT against work; we just want the fruits of our labor to be recognized better.
Our Philosophies:
- All workers must be paid a living wage for their labor.
- Income inequality is the main cause of lower living standards.
- Workers must join together and fight back for what is rightfully theirs.
- We must not be divided and conquered. Workers gain the most when they focus on unifying issues.
Our Goals
- Higher wages for underpaid workers.
- Better worker representation, including but not limited to unions.
- Better and fewer working hours.
- Stimulating a massive wave of worker organizing in the United States and beyond.
- Organizing and supporting political causes and campaigns that put workers first.
founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
view the rest of the comments
I have a public service job.
Can't afford to live, get shouted at by callers irrelevant to my role each day just cos I am at a phone, can't work from home despite the whole organisation doing so, higher paid people throw their workload at me cos they don't want to do it.
Feels no different from when i was in the private sector really.
No offense due but I hope you're interviewing
Looking, not much on the market right now, but it's a process I suppose!
At what quality of life?
I find it hard to believe you have a public service job that can't pay for your peanut butter sandwiches and vegetables to stay alive.
Lol damn, God forbid someone want more out of life than scraping by getting basic needs barely met. I've been looking around while in school, and plenty of jobs are still paying $15-19/hr. That is barely enough to get by, depending where you live and rent may not even be enough, let alone take a vacation once a year or even think of raising a family.
What do you mean? He used the word 'need' and now you're changing it to 'wants.'
Why are you conflating needs with wants?
It's both. Humans need breaks, vacations, etc. I may want to take a vacation to South America but would settle for somewhere North, though.
Woah woah woah. Breaks and vacations are very different things.
It's funny watching you people conflate needs and wants just like breaks and vacations, lol.
You really need to brush up on your vocabulary!
You're arguing semantics while the intention is clear. Quit being pedantic.
In our parents' generation's time, a public service job could fund a house, two kids, and annual vacations. We want that, or even more since we're significantly more productive since those days. A job used to give us needs and a good amount of wants. Conflating the two in this context, while not perfectly precise, is irrelevant.
Needs and wants are different things and should be described as such.
If I'm talking about liking red cars then point to a car, and you say, "that's not red, that's mauve," you're being an ass.
If we're shopping for paint together, and i say "i like this red," and you reply, "i think that's mauve," you're trying to be specific in our communication about a common task.
Right now, we're talking about cars. Chill out
What are you talking about?
Needs and wants are not like colors, lol. What a terrible analogy that only a moron would take seriously.
You're putting yourself through mental gymnastics to try and change the meanings of words to suit your agenda.
I'm gonna block you now. I can tell people like you aren't worth dealing with.
Please do explain the difference, then, between why breaks are necessary but vacations shouldn't be? You do realize study after study shows that 24-30 hour work weeks provide the most productivity? That family leave, healthcare, paid time off etc is associated with the happiest citizens? Is increased well-being not necessary in your worldview?
One is literally necessary for survival while the other isn't. This is the difference between a 'need' and a 'want.'
Considering how many people are able to live a significantly lower quality of life than what you're advocating for, no. It's not a 'need.' It's a 'want.' There's no limit to 'increased well being.' There is a limit to what the human body can take before it can no longer go on living.
Might want to brush up on your vocabulary. This is a pretty simple concept that even 2nd graders have no problem understanding.
Yeah, second graders get longer vacations than I do, interesting ain't it. Maybe you need one cuz your brain seems to be working overtime to justify people suffering.
I'm not justifying anyone suffering.
I'm educating adults on the difference between needs and wants because they have the vocabulary of a pre-schooler.
Apparently the reading comprehension, too. Lol.
Keep insulting people that are suffering, really must do you a lot of favors when you're talking to someone in person.
Man, you just don't quit do you.
Gonna block you now. You clearly need more life experience to be taken seriously. Lol.
I need a vacation, you might say? Or do you need me to work hard enough by your standards to earn it? You haven't even seen my resume. Sorry you can't handle criticism.
The wording was a tad dramatic.
I can afford to eat. But I can't afford housing and any enjoyment comes with guilt from knowing itll have a knock on effect to my finances. I'm living with a parent (who similarly struggles to pay bills)
It's more a case of finding it hard to hit the bills and not being able to see a future where I'm comfortable.
I'd say it's mostly due to the cost of living rather than the pay. 10 years ago I'd be doing quite well, but the pay grades haven't changed to meet inflation or accommodate for the high cost of living.