It’s tough to be a worker in America right now, ESPECIALLY if you work in the service industry, or any other jobs paid hourly, often close to your state’s minimum wage. Worker protections are lacking, the national minimum wage hasn’t changed since 2009, and workers are facing entitled and sometimes abusive customers. And we haven’t even gotten to the effects of tariffs.
Even for those in white collar jobs, it’s getting harder and harder to pay the bills, and wages aren’t increasing with inflation to the level they should be. Layoffs are at record highs, college degrees no longer guarantee a good job, and tech, once a sure industry to enter for a solid salary, is becoming overrun with AI to replace workers. All around, morale is low, and it’s clear.
To see how everyday people are feeling and what they’re stressing about, we hopped over to Reddit. If you’re wondering about the state of the US worker, look no further.
2.
I will forever be mad that cashiers can’t sit down. There is no reason but cruelty.
3.
Is this not illegal???
4.
People are paying for pizza parties now???
5.
No purse, electronic, or even expensive item of jewelry is worth your life. Is this company really expecting random workers to essentially be vigilantes performing citizens’ arrests? ON PEOPLE WHO MAY HAVE GUNS???
6.
Closing HR but not the rest of the workplace on a holiday is messed up.
7.
You know your workplace is bad when they don’t even let you POOP.
8.
It is so sad to me that in the richest country in the world, our older adults can’t retire.
9.
They lost me at “eat sparingly.”
10.
It feels so inhumane to me that companies will just fire people with no warning. Especially during the holidays.
11.
Not a single vegetable or unprocessed food in sight!
12.
If this is what someone with 15 years of experience is making, what is someone with only a few years of experience — or no experience — making?
13.
Are people even reading resumes anymore?
14.
How about a little heart attack for a nice holiday gift?
15.
Sounds like a recipe for your cook to pass out while working.
16.
Did you know that wage theft is the largest form of theft in America? That is, the cost of things stolen by petty thieves and burglars is many times less than what is stolen by employers.
17.
Oh, I remember this part in Ready Player One! Yeah, it was pretty horrifying. Wait, this is happening IRL???
18.
Awesome! Did landlords start accepting Jingle Jangle as a form of rent payment?
19.
I want to say, “This is why you prioritize your family over work,” but also, how are people supposed to pay their bills if they get laid off even earlier for doing so?
20.
Serious question: why would anyone get a job if they didn’t have expenses like rent?
21.
This is how bleak it is out there right now.
22.
Don’t believe me? This is someone’s job search — they got two offers after almost 4,000 applications.
24.
“No one wants to work.” Actually, perfectly qualified people can’t even find anyone to hire them.
25.
It’s actually horrifying to me that this is the reality for so many perfectly qualified Americans. We shouldn’t have to beg to work when we need to do so to survive.
26.
“Maybe your expectations are too high!” Uh, no, people are getting denied for minimum wage, “easy” jobs.
28.
It’s ridiculous to expect applicants to put in time and effort when the employer won’t even do it, and is using an AI bot instead.
29.
Sounds like they want free work.
30.
Why on earth is this a requirement?
31.
Seven-day work week??? We really do live to work, huh?
32.
What does this even mean and how is it legal?
33.
This is not how you build morale!
34.
I am once again asking, “shouldn’t this be illegal?”
35.
No one should have to risk their health and well-being for a job.
36.
This is legitimately dangerous.
37.
If this is the state of OSHA, I’m concerned. Not in the least because apparently losing an eye doesn’t warrant a hospital trip.
38.
I was under the impression that Thanksgiving involves turkey, but maybe I’m mistaken.
39.
This is the future. 🙁
40.
What a great thanks for all your hard work this year!
41.
Ten years — wow! You deserve a special reward for that. 🙂
42.
And 27 years??? Watch out, these big spenders are gonna shower you with gifts!
43.
Gee, we’d really like to thank you for all your hard work! You have been awarded: ZERO POINTS.
44.
This SHOULD be illegal. It’s unpaid time!
45.
Please tell me this isn’t gonna become the norm. (Heads up: this means working 12-hour days six days a week, or 72 hours a week.)
46.
“Professionalism”??? Really? She was the one not being professional here?
47.
I do NOT get why so many companies forced RTO. It’s expensive as heck!
48.
Is this not age discrimination?
49.
“THANK. WE APPRECIATE.”
50.
We’re living in a dystopia.
52.
Once again, sounds illegal!
53.
“B-but…everyone likes cornhole!”
54.
Wow, this employee must really feel appreciated.
55.
They came to shame the tab-runners, but really shamed themselves. Why should the server have to pay that???
57.
Work is a “family” until it’s not.
59.
Good for this person. Why does any boss think this is okay???
60.
“We appreciate your understanding and support.” Uh, who said anyone understands or supports this???
61.
$17 is hardly enough for a sandwich these days. How can anyone live on $9 an hour?
62.
This is probably a joke (the math ain’t mathing), but the fact that it’s posted in a workplace is honestly kind of offensive to me. The entitlement is wild. Don’t guilt people for needing time off!
63.
The “keep it low” attitude when groceries and rent are NOT low is why people are struggling right now.
64.
You are entitled to your full break!!!
65.
What happened to the traditional cover letter and resume? Why must people jump through hoops to get hired?
66.
This cutesy rejection email demonstrates the insensitivity and out-of-touch attitude that’s rampant in the job field right now. This is not how people want to be told they aren’t getting a job.
67.
Definitely seems illegal!
68.
And finally…I appreciate this reply.
Related
Discover more from InstiWitty Media Studios
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
