3 ms·
Zombie companies, but also zombie jobs (or the much-quoted "bullshit jobs") where I have the impression they only stick around because people say "eh, it's not
by heipei 5y ago
Zombie companies, but also zombie jobs (or the much-quoted "bullshit jobs") where I have the impression they only stick around because people say "eh, it's not the most cost-efficient measure, but since we're paying people so little and they can easily be laid off why take the risk of automating it?"
As a European I often feel that way when looking at jobs in the US that in Europe would be too costly to staff: Three people at constructions signs holding signs with "Stop" and "Go" instead of a mobile traffic light. Senior citizens at the cash register which help you bag your groceries. I wouldn't mind if these kind of jobs would be made obsolete if workers had the option to not take them.
- raman162 5y agoHere in the Caribbean it's even worse. Our gas stations employ people to fill up your car. I remember when I first traveled to the U.S. as a child and was surprised to see people filling in their own tanks of gas. With my innocent mind, I immediately thought that their quality of living was worse because they had to get out their car and do the labor of filling up their tank. Now I realize that the Caribbean has many of these jobs by force because are employment rates are so low. It's a sad realization.
- elevaet 5y agoThere are two states in the USA that require gas to be filled by an employee, no self-serve allowed. New Jersey and Oregon. This was put in place as a measure to protect jobs - for better or worse.
- HarryHirsch 5y agoThe observation is correct. In Europe you have social programs, in America you have gig jobs and Walmart. Walmart even tells its employees how to sign up for all sorts of programs, like food stamps and housing aid, and that's how the taxpayer subsidizes them.