4 ms·

Count me in. So far, the difference I have noticed between union and non-union areas is this: in the heavily unionized locales, all work done is very expensive

Count me in. So far, the difference I have noticed between union and non-union areas is this: in the heavily unionized locales, all work done is very expensive, but it is also mostly done correctly; in the lightly unionized locales, work is inexpensive, but is slipshod, and without any express or implied warranty. Both take at least twice as long as you think should be necessary, but the union guys will at least show up and pretend to work, while the non-union guys will just ghost. I want to be the guy that shows up and (eventually) does it right, while three other guys stand around and watch. I'd rather not be the guy that cannot meaningfully engage with the work, because the pay is peanuts, and I could get fired just for sneezing wrong. I (and my ancestors) have a deep-rooted desire to be able to dig in my heels and give someone an earful (or page-full, as it were) whenever they are about to do something stupid and involve me in it. I don't feel like "at will" employment gives me that option. If I speak truth to power, I can get fired.

kjksf 8y ago
How does employer's inability to fire for sub-par performance leads to better work from employees? Who is this magical employer that exhibits those contradictory traits: * super harsh, fires workers for sneezing * doesn't fire workers for not working
- logfromblammo 8y ago
  Sounds like my previous employer, except replace "sneezing" with "suggesting process improvements and a reading list" and replace "not working" with "exploiting the current process to look busy without getting much actual work done". In that case, recognizing that I was a problem for office politics, the three seniors and the PM booted me off the project, and my employer then fired me in the next minute, for not being attached to a project. There are employers out there that pull this crap. You don't have to work if you know the right people. You can't make waves if you don't.

kjksf 8y ago

How does employer's inability to fire for sub-par performance leads to better work from employees? Who is this magical employer that exhibits those contradictory traits: * super harsh, fires workers for sneezing * doesn't fire workers for not working

logfromblammo 8y ago
Sounds like my previous employer, except replace "sneezing" with "suggesting process improvements and a reading list" and replace "not working" with "exploiting the current process to look busy without getting much actual work done". In that case, recognizing that I was a problem for office politics, the three seniors and the PM booted me off the project, and my employer then fired me in the next minute, for not being attached to a project. There are employers out there that pull this crap. You don't have to work if you know the right people. You can't make waves if you don't.