Americans Don’t Care as Much About Work. And It Isn’t Just Gen Z.
Americans Don’t Care as Much About Work. And It Isn’t Just Gen Z.
Blame it largely on the pandemic, which weakened the hold the workplace held on people’s psyches
By outward appearances, the labor market today looks much as it did before the pandemic. The unemployment rate is just as low, the share of adults in the labor force is just as high, and wages are growing at roughly the same pace after inflation.
But beneath the surface, the nature of labor has changed profoundly. Career and work aren’t nearly as central to the lives of Americans. They want more time for their families and themselves, and more flexibility about when, where and how they work.
The impact of this change can already be seen in both individual companies and the broader economy. It has led to a persistent shortage of workers, especially in jobs that seem less desirable because, for example, they require in-person work or fixed hours. That, in turn, has altered the bargaining position of employers and employees—forcing employers to adapt, not just by paying more but giving priority to quality of life in job offers.
To be sure, some of these changes arise from an exceptionally tight labor market. If unemployment rises, some of employees’ newfound leverage may evaporate.
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What's the point?
I make more than most of my acquaintances in the city (my friends are poor), yet it's not enough to rent a house much less buy one. It's not enough to save for retirement. It's not even enough to move to a better apartment. The only reason I can think of owning a house is my inheritance - period.
My company touts their generous benefits which start on day one. But I'm about to lose access to my therapist because they want to push virtual and self-help resources instead. They publish pamphlets that exaggerate medical benefits, when you go to use them the insurance company says "Nah lol."
We have no union and in fact the state disincentivized formation of unions with "right to work" laws.
Work leaves me feeling exhausted and hopeless. My paycheck covers the bills, buys food, and keeps a derelict roof over my head. Apparently that makes me "lucky" and I should be grateful for it.
My company touts their generous benefits which start on day one. But I’m about to lose access to my therapist because they want to push virtual and self-help resources instead.
-pure rage-
😡 😡 😡
It really sucks. We have a great dynamic and she has helped me so much over the last year, words can't express.
I want you to remember this is a violence being done upon you by the healthcare industry and your employer.
You are a victim of violence here as sure as if someone had physically attacked you on the street, except the violence was premeditated, utterly unnecessary and hurtful in a way that doesn’t heal like bruises do.
Stay angry about that, not in a way that eats your heart away, but in a way that transmutes hopelessness into resistance.
From a logical standpoint, healthcare should see the fact that you found a therapist that works for you as a “WE FOUND THE NEEDLE IN THE HAYSTACK!” moment which is precisely not the moment you say “well we might as well throw this needle away and keep searching because we can just find another!”.
Gosh I don’t wish harm upon others easily, but it is hard not to feel like the people who make the decisions to structure society this way should be hurt very badly to the point that other people who want to commit similar atrocities would simply be too scared to try it even if they wanted to.