Be Grateful You Have A Job?
polycounter lvl 7
I've heard the line, "Be grateful you have a job" quite a few times in my working career and I was wondering what you guys thought of this phrase.
I realize it's one of those things where the job market is hard and there's dozens of unemployed people who would gladly take any job, especially making games and art for a living. Hell, I've got friends and co-workers of mine still looking for jobs so I shouldn't complain, especially if it's keeping the bills paid. But then I think on the flip side that sometimes it's said to excuse poor work conditions, whether that be excessive overtime, low pay, bad management, etc. But then I think about if it's not any of those things, where it's just simply dissatisfaction in the job, like they're not passionate about the work, do they still have a right to complain?
I'm curious to know what people's opinion is. Do you think people shouldn't so spoilt to have complaints about their job because there's so many out there that would willingly do the job you do? Or do people have the right to complain about their job, despite so many people out there looking?
Cheers everyone.
I realize it's one of those things where the job market is hard and there's dozens of unemployed people who would gladly take any job, especially making games and art for a living. Hell, I've got friends and co-workers of mine still looking for jobs so I shouldn't complain, especially if it's keeping the bills paid. But then I think on the flip side that sometimes it's said to excuse poor work conditions, whether that be excessive overtime, low pay, bad management, etc. But then I think about if it's not any of those things, where it's just simply dissatisfaction in the job, like they're not passionate about the work, do they still have a right to complain?
I'm curious to know what people's opinion is. Do you think people shouldn't so spoilt to have complaints about their job because there's so many out there that would willingly do the job you do? Or do people have the right to complain about their job, despite so many people out there looking?
Cheers everyone.
Replies
Unfortunately with the current economy, employers can easily take advantages of the situation and offer less pay and demand more work. And there's really nothing anyone can do unless you're willing to walk. But it won't really make any impact, someone else will simply be hired.
The only way it would be different is if the unemployment rate is like negative 15%. But that isn't gonna happen in ever.
Sure you may not be starving as a result of having a job and many people have commitments so they can't pick and chose they have to take what they can get for their families but to be sincerely appreciative of something you aren't happy doing doesn't seem logical.
A right to complain though is a tricky thing, sure in some regards its more than right to complain but what are you doing to alter the situation is key, Someone doesn't pay me overtime properly? then I am no longer doing overtime until I get back payment for the hours already worked at the agreed upon wage, it would be unprofessional to do anything but as far as i'm concerned.
But always realize what you are risking and you can afford to risk, having money in the bank and other options is usually the only thing that re-establishes the balance of power, of course theres more factors like specialist skills/desirability, but if your next crisis is going to involve being homeless or facing hardship it may be best to just stick it out as horrible as it sounds while you plan your escape.
My employer is grateful to have me.
The way it should be. No?
This happens all of the time, not just in this industry.
"Be grateful you have a job" is a phrase usually coming from people looking to do neither. It's like telling someone "Be grateful you don't have cancer", because there are millions of people that do. It may not be wrong to encourage someone to remind themselves of the good things in their life, but throwing out a phrase like that is far from helpful and is something I would consider rude/shortsighted.
...at the same time, it's probably best to make sure the people around you aren't in a position to feel offended/jealous/what have you by your complaining about your job. Just as I would consider it rude for someone to tell me "Be grateful you have a job", I'd also think it rude of me to complain about my job if I knew there were people without them in earshot (unless they were good friends who knew not to take it personally, etc).
i heard that couple times when i used to work in house. it was in fact insulting because i worked hard to get there.
you will also be told to "leave your ego at the door" by the same kind of people who tell you that you are lucky to have a job.
i agree that you should leave your ego at the door, but you should also bring your self respect with you at all times.
It's definitely a slave-like mentality. It would require you to think so lowly of yourself that you'd appreciate even the most horrific conditions or abuse because in this case, work is considered more a charity the "job creator" provides than a valued service that you provide.
Someone who isn't desperate and who provides valuable services and knowledge absolutely can't think this way. For them it really is illogical.
But if you're thinking this is the best you can do, if you're on the edge already with your finances, if you're constantly feeling that any little thing you do might get you fired or laid off if you're not fast or robotic enough, then yes, you'll have this mentality. Your life will begin and end around the boss's whims.
The phrase, "Be grateful you have the job" says a lot about the person saying it. Their confidence might be crushed, but yours doesn't have to be. If your job sucks and you can do better, and you honestly feel like you can do better, then by all means, do better! Say something. Try to improve the conditions, or move on.
Otherwise yeah, the statement will ring true for you. This is all you can hope for. This is the best you can do. Clock in, toil, clock out, and spend all your money on bills. Whatever. Even these people can do better, but you can't tell them that. They have to see it themselves. And if they don't? Well then their bosses will run all over them and it'll be a self fulfilling thing.
"I'm grateful I have a job", shows humbleness....especially in light of the current disaster....speaking as an unemployed person.
...and knowing that there are anywhere from 10-100 people waiting in line for you (or anyone else) to vacate that position.
Yes, "Be grateful you have a job".
However, I am unfortunately a person who thinks that 'Life should be Fair'...:)
Imagine walking upto your employer and saying to them "Be grateful I'm working here". It wouldn't go down in the slightest. I've had a studio offer me terrible money for a role before and when I asked if they were prepared to increase their offer was told I should be grateful they offered me one. Disgusting.
I don't think I mean to imply I'm really unhappy about my job, there's just some days when you question what you're doing and you lose a bit of the passion you had in previous years. I think what ExcessiveZero said earlier about what are you doing to alter your situation struck a chord with me as it's better to pick up yourself and be pro-active about improving your situation rather than indulging in self pity.
Great discussion here though guys, it helps to get other peoples perspective.
As an employer the only reason they would say anything like that is because you are not performing or something of that nature. But even so.. theres other ways to handle wayward staff without resorting to comments like that..
And it's not quite like saying to your boss, "be grateful that you have me". It's more like saying to them, "you should be grateful you have anyone -- even someone as shit as me". "Be grateful you have a job" is an attempt to make people feel like they can't complain about any of it because a bad job is better than no job. Fuck that.
You can make money doing anything, so make it in a job your happy with. I am happy with my job and thus are grateful for it.
all of this.
they're basically telling you that you'd be easily replaced.
[ame="
Damn.. that's such a cheesy joke :icon60:
haha! AMAZING!
Ultimately, always persevere an attitude of gratitude under all circumstances and situations. At minimum, wherever possible. Because there is always a crack in reality to find it. Even when least thought possible.
Situations may arise in a person to feel abolished from ones feelings of their employment (in games, film) under circumstances of emotional abuse, bullied, over-worked, etc. At least, when these said ^ things come up. The person who cry's "enough". Has definitely a right to do so. Because stuff like that should be a low-tolerance level for everybody with good morals and work ethic. This is where I gladly offer my hand to the stranger to let them know they can be helped in some way. Because I too have been abused in the games industry by my employers in some ways where some may question my tolerance to such atrocities.
But if a person whines and cry's that there job doesn't fit their purpose any longer and wants the world to attend to their calling. Then I say, that person isn't doing enough interesting things in their day to day life. So they clearly need to get out of the house and get off the computer altogether.
If they did, I'd pack my shit then and there and walk out without another word. I don't care what kind of problems it'd cause, for them OR me.
This with Stephen's follow up made me spit out my morning coffee XD
yes the influence can sway back and forth from the company to the employee depending on the economy. Sometimes the artist has many opportunities, sometimes not many.
that sentence should never be uttered. It shows ego and entitlement.
There's alot of that going around...and in that same vein is unpaid internships...
It's true too; people want to work.
But are they qualified and available to replace you?
Are you qualified and able to fill an open position elsewhere?
This is the dynamic that lets you or your employer gain leverage.
Sadly I've interviewed and turned down people as juniors and experienced, who have been unemployed for years, but I wouldn't feel out of place to work under them or to see them as a lead or AD anywhere else because its what their level of skill and cv suggests.
I kinda feel personality and attitude are all that matters, really anyone can be replaced and anyone can learn to do a job if they're willing to put in the effort, really your leverage is more in what your personality brings to the table and how it affects those around you, rather than how quickly you can rig an elf and how many walls you've textured.