this post was submitted on 12 May 2024
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Antiwork
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For the abolition of work. Yes really, abolish work! Not "reform work" but the destruction of work as a separate field of human activity.
To save the world, we're going to have to stop working! — David Graeber
A strange delusion possesses the working classes of the nations where capitalist civilization holds its sway. ...the love of work... Instead of opposing this mental aberration, the priests, the economists, and the moralists have cast a sacred halo over work. — Paul Lafargue
In communist society, where nobody has one exclusive sphere of activity but each can become accomplished in any branch he wishes, society regulates the general production and thus makes it possible for me to do one thing today and another tomorrow, to hunt in the morning, fish in the afternoon, rear cattle in the evening, criticise after dinner, just as I have a mind, without ever becoming hunter, fisherman, herdsman or critic. — Karl Marx
In the glorification of 'work', in the unwearied talk of the 'blessing of work', I see the same covert idea as in the praise of useful impersonal actions: that of fear of everything individual. — Friedrich Nietzsche
If hard work were such a wonderful thing, surely the rich would have kept it all to themselves. — Lane Kirkland
The bottom line is simple: all of us deserve to make the most of our potential as we see fit, to be the masters of our own destinies. Being forced to sell these things away to survive is tragic and humiliating. We don’t have to live like this. ― CrimethInc
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German here, there are a bunch of "buts" worth mentioning, before everyone mistakes our country for a socialist utopia:
For starters, the notice period for employee and employer are identical, mutually agreed upon, and can be 1-6 months. If the OP was fired with 3 months notice, that simply means he would have to give equal notice when resigning. Usually it's however expected to work all through the notice period and not just relax at home.
Secondly, a compensation is voluntarily, unless being fired due to socio-economic circumstances (as opposed to bad performance). In such a case, 1 month compensation per 1 year worked is often recommended by labor courts (maxing out at 6 months). Again, those are not mandatory unless it goes to an arbitration tribunal or court.
Thirdly, being allowed to take classes or other further education measures typically only exists for elderly layoffs with limited chances of finding qualified employment, or people with very limited skillset. Again the only exception is when being terminated due to socio-economic reasons, where the company agrees to pay development measures as part or in lieu of a settlement.
Unemployment benefits apply once the employee has paid social security contributions for minimum 12 months without interruption. In the first year they are due to receive 70% of their former salary after tax (there's a cap though, I believe it was 2800 EUR/month).
If they still didn't secure a new job, they are entitled to receive 484 EUR plus housing (based on actual cost; again capped and with a size restriction, I believe it was max. 20m² per person in the household). To qualify for this second stage of benefits however, the person must not have any assets exceeding 10k EUR, else they'd have to use those up first).
Medical insurance however is available all through without any caveats.
Yeah but in most of America they can just fire you for any reason without severance, and you lose healthcare.
Yeah but healthcare being tied to your job and practically unaffordable otherwise is the most ridiculous, capitalistic dystopian bullshit ever.
Yes I agree. I hate it here. This exact thing happened to me. I can't pay rent next month if I don't find a job. I have a cut in my nose that gives me splitting headaches and I had to cancel my appt with my ENT because I don't have health insurance or an income.
Important details, but it doesn't change anything about what the OP's statement. As a US-expat living in Germany, I can confirm that the situation in germany is MUCH better.
I think it's difficult for outsiders to understand how bad things are getting in the US. It's already a distopia for many, and it's steadily getting worse.
Still a socialist utopia in comparison. 😀
Example:
I work for a pretty good company, of a decent size. I have things better than many folks in the US do with regard to my employer. I've been with them for almost 30 years. If they fire me tomorrow, I might get one extra paycheck from my employer, if I ask very nicely. There is no likely path through our legal system that will net me more than that, assuming they haven't fired me in a way that violates my civil rights.
About your first point: That's true, but depending on your position you might still be able to just chill at home because they won't let anyone with access to their servers, mailing or backups work as if nothing happened.
About unemployment benefits: Gladly the last time I was unemployed was in 2022 so it might've changed by now, but isn't it 60% of your former salary and 63% if you have kids?
My figures are from back in the early 2000's, so you might be better informed there. I've luckily never been unemployed and learned those in HR Management class back in university.
It's 60% of your net income for a year.
French living in Germany here, always thought social rights are pretty crap here but for 'murica this is already a lot
That tends to be what happens, when a Nazi writes the strike laws.
It is also worth mentioning that while maybe technically true, you'll have no issue getting those trainings in practice if you simply ask for them.
Unemployment benefits that are measured by your last monthly income don't require 12 months without interruption, but 12 months combined over the prior 24 months.
About ALG II: Not sure where you get the 20 sqm per person from, it really depends. If you have a reasonable rent compared to local levels, they will cover it. I currently live in a pretty modest and cheap 40 sqm apartment and it was paid for when I was looking for jobs right after university. In addition to rent and free health insurance, you currently get 502 € per month to live on, which is pitiful given the current price levels. But yes, it's sufficient to buy your groceries if you watch your spendings. Long term, it sucks since you never can afford anything unexpected, something you don't need but would like to have or, god forbid, go on a little vacation trip.