For Boomers who still work, a question.

[hamsterjill]

Full disclosure, I’m in my early sixties and I cannot wait until the moment I can retire.

I was employed in the same company for 16 years. In 2017, the owner of the small business retired and the business closed. I was out of a job.

I’m now on my third job since that time and seriously hate it.

Question: am I just an old Boomer who expects more than should be expected, or has the job situation really changed that much? I am in an administrative position, but so far at this new job, I’ve been asked to move heavy boxes, put book cases together that required full assembly, and take out the garbage. I’m capable of taking out garbage. I’m no better than the cleaning person. But wasn’t there a time long ago where a job description generally indicated your area of responsibility? It was a little difficult moving the boxes and putting the shelves together, too.

What say you fellow Boomers? And yes, I do know that I should be grateful to have a job. I’m just interested in others’ experience. This is a relatively small company and there’s no HR department, but even still. What if someone got hurt? Don’t employers even think of that any more?

[samnsara]

1. do you NEED the job? for medical insurance? If NO.. then get out of there.. if youre..

..wanting to keep busy there are plenty of at home job. No Insurance but some pin money and will keep you busy.

I did this after I retired. I worked for a company that trained us and we took calls from home..We were paid by the minute. Ever order something from tv? That was US you talked to..from home..so BE POLITE even if we upsell you stuff ( cuz we have to). Let them talk..they are getting paid by the minute and they know you will NOT order stuff so they will NOT be offended if you say NO to their offers. (I also did phone work that I cant discuss in polite company )

I worked for Shop at Home ( yes we get to choose who gets to talk on tv)...Home Depot (I got a call from NORAD for an order!). If you called Sacramento Bee for anything..it may have been me here in Seattle talking to you.

Can you run for office? Hubby was just elected Hospital Commissioner and he gets FULL medical..he didnt even know that when he ran. Just a thought

I guess you need to ask yourself WHY you are working.

[mahina]

2. Well

Does your boss take out the rubbish sometimes to?

Small companies often have to jump in and do whatever it takes and also trust that you will only do what you can do safely.

[captain queeg]

3. No doubt would suck to look for work now

I retired a few months ago due to medical conditions. Once in awhile I peruse job announcements but I’m able to get by without working.

When I was much younger I was working for a small business and the owner told me to go clean the toilets. He could tell I didn’t like it and told me if you’re too good to clean the toilets you are too good to work here. I took off my uniform and said guess I’m too good to work here. Those were different days and I was much younger. Not sure how I’d handle that nowadays. He was quite shocked though.

[hamsterjill]

10. Guess I'd have been too good to work there, too.

Nowadays, part of the reason that things are as they are is because people aren't standing up and demanding that they be treated with dignity and respect. I understand the risk of doing that, too, but there comes a time when everyone simply reaches a limit.

[dlk]

4. The workplace has drastically changed in the past several years

In addition to wages tanking, employers are requiring much more of employees, such as cleaning and maintenance duties, in addition to their regular jobs. Heavy lifting is often also in included. It’s rough out there for all workers, especially boomers who can remember much better wages and working conditions.

[hamsterjill]

7. This is what I think, too.

I think the baloney out there about the job market and available positions is just that - baloney. Low wages and bad conditions are standard now. You hit the nail on the head by your statement that "boomers who can remember much better wages and working conditions".

All of this is part of the dumbing down of America and the disparity between the wealthy and the rest of us. I think that's part of what really gets my goat. I remember a time when workers were appreciated and had some safeguards in place. As I indicated, I'm in my early sixties so worst case basis, I have only a few more years. But I worry about my children and those that come after them. Slave labor isn't far behind I'm afraid.

[dlk]

8. There are lots of low wage, entry level jobs that don't pay enough to live indoors

I call it the new American sweatshop. Who can live on $8 or $10 an hour, or less? Many of the jobs are part time, with no benefits. Positions are often combined to “streamline” operations, i.e., give employers more profits while they pay less.

All of this has coincided with the assault on unions. I had a close friend whose father was a union organizer. He always used to say, “When there are no unions, there are no good paying jobs.” It’s naive to think employers would automatically provide living wages and benefits out of the kindness of their hearts. Their goal is to maximize profits and too often, it’s on the backs of their employees.

Something I’ve noticed since Trump was installed in office is wages have dropped considerably, all while we have “the best economy.” Given the level of corruption within administration, it would not be surprising if they were cooking the numbers.

[hamsterjill]

9. Yep - Unions are the first thing the Republicans attack.

The Republicans know that what you say is true (i.e., "when there are no unions, there are no good paying jobs&quot .

I am sad for my country. Sad for my self, and sad as I said above, for those that come after me. As Adam Schiff said - We. Are. Lost.

[Joinfortmill]

5. Retired 5 years ago.

Retirement rocks and you don't need as much money as they say you need. Hang in. The good times are coming. You'll be surprised what you may accomplish. I self-published 4 mystery books and took up sketching.

[Hoyt]

6. Are you working for a small company? I think that pretty much requires

doing those things. I get not liking the job, have been there and at times now I take on projects that I wouldn’t otherwise if I didn’t have down time.

Guess my question is, are you paid reasonably and what alternatives do you have elsewhere?

Good luck.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

11. I'm a leading edge boomer, age 71.

I retired nearly six years ago and I couldn't be happier.

I will also say that I never really had a job that I loved (with one exception that I'll get to in a moment). It was always just a job. I do what I'm supposed to do and I get a paycheck. But I never really looked forward to going to work each day.

Several years ago, after a divorce, I relocated to Santa Fe, and took a job with a local gallery. I worked two days, amazed at how much I loved it. At ten am the third day I was let go for (and this is a quote) "Unbridled exuberance." Sigh.

Entry level jobs are easy to get. There's a myth out there that no one over some arbitrary edge ever gets a job. That is not true. Yes, a highly skilled worker with many years experience may find employers are reluctant to hire, which is too bad. But entry level stuff? Not a problem. I had no trouble getting work over the age of 60, and at the risk of repeating myself, they were all entry level jobs.

Several years ago, a bit after I'd retired, I saw an ad for a part time clerical/administrative sort of job at a local company. I read the ad each day, and on Friday dusted off my resume and went to the business. I would have been hired on the spot, but unfortunately their definition of part time was 30 hours, and mine was 20. But they did take me on two different times for some temp work, which was nice.

[MedRxx]

12. The world has changed

This is what is going on down here in the Lone Star now

Whistleblowers came forward to allege serious labor and employment violations during construction of the electric car manufacturer’s massive new facility in Austin, Texas, that left them vulnerable to injuries and wage theft.

In an upcoming trial about self-driving vehicles and manslaughter, public perceptions of Tesla could shift.
Landmark trial involving Tesla autopilot weighs if ‘man or machine’ at fault
Read more
Amid accusations of constant hazards and onsite accidents, one worker said his bosses at an unnamed subcontractor falsified credentials instead of actually providing him and others with required job training involving education about health, safety, and workers’ rights – including the right to refuse dangerous work.

Other whistleblowers are reporting what they describe as wage theft and say they weren’t paid at all or didn’t receive proper overtime compensation for their work on the hi-tech facility.

[link:https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/nov/14/tesla-texas-construction-workers-gigafactory-lawsuit-labor-violations|]

The Guardian article goes on to point out that

“In general, the state of the construction industry in Texas tends to be just a race to the bottom,” Chincanchan asserted, where exploitation of many vulnerable workers, often immigrants, runs rampant.

Thank God Abbot just got re-elected?