Have you noticed how detested are jobs these days? Apparently, 85% of people worldwide hate their jobs (you can find the source of that article here). Since we’re spending so much of our lives working and lots of our time off thinking about work, I believe this is a huge problem our society has.
So what are the main reasons for this? In my opinion, one of them is the fact that people are not compatible with that job. For example, if I think I would be a great writer and I have to do some data entry, I would hate it because it’s not what I want. An additional reason would be if people have some debt. If I have mortgage for my house and I have a job I don’t think I’m made for, I would feel stuck in it and I would definitely hate it. Actually, the more monthly expenses there are, the more stuck one can feel in a job that one hates. The more expenses there are, the harder would be for that person to take risks by changing their jobs.
Another source for frustrations would be the boss. Maybe someone likes the work he/she has to do, but if the boss is Satan on steroids, the whole environment sucks. The same thing applies for sh*tty coworkers.
And of course, let’s not forget about the low income. The work can be ok, the boss can be ok, but if the income is too low, some frustrations can occur and that person can have a negative view about the workplace. Usually, it’s not all bad. There are some good parts about each job, but if the bad parts are higher in number, that person can hate the job.
So what solutions do we have? Well, in my opinion, the first step would be to identify the sucky reasons about that job. If the problems are named, a plan can be put in place and that’s the second step. If the plan cannot be applied, I suggest finding a new job. I think we’re spending too much time there so we can develop a hateful mindset because of the job.
Yes I know it’s hard. It took me almost 5 years to change the job I hated (I worked at a pawn shop) and I was so scared to make the change, but I had to do it.
What’s your opinion about the job you have?
Currently searching for another one because I’m starting to hate it
What aspects do you hate about it?
The work itself isn’t enjoyable, the people are ok most of the time although I feel like we’re on 2 different wavelengths, I honestly feel like I’ve gotten all that I can/need to get from it and given all that I can/need to give and now it’s time to leave…and I sometimes miss my old job and the people I met there
You know why people hate their jobs bcz they didn’t choose what they like…
Yes, that’s one of the reasons.
I’m not sure that’s always the case; I actually love what I do but there’s a lot of “noise” around the core job – admin issues, navigating a tricky political landscape, inappropriate resourcing that makes the core work, the fun stuff, almost impossible to get to.
Yes..
This too can be a reason..
Obviously, you know better than me
Because you do job and i don’t..
Obviously, when you’re surrounded by problems it’s difficult to work happily…
Well Good Luck man.. 👍
I think a large part of what is causing this, is coming from the changes in society where people are discovering more freedom.
Years ago, life was more about surviving, so working was more natural. I’m sure people still hated things back then, but nowadays, people have more things they WANT to do, and the system can’t accommodate this. Not everyone can just be GIVEN what they want, so they end up in routine jobs to cover their existence.
The only real way out is to find what you like, and find work in that area. Otherwise you will simply be ‘settling’ for something you don’t enjoy, and life will just become mundane.
Yes, I totally agree. That’s why I insist on searching within to find what we truly want because sometimes what we thing we want is not what we really want.
Another aspect could also be (like me): you are in a skilled job, in your thirties, and retraining just wouldn’t be possible because of, well, life.
I feel pretty bored with my day job, it’s just not challenging enough, but I stick it out because the drop in pay would drastically change my life.
I wouldn’t say that retraining isn’t possible. Remember that Colonel Sanders started the KFC empire at 68.
Speaking as someone in their mid-50s (how the heck did *that* happen?), you have loads of time to look at retraining. Don’t wait. I regret not doing something different ten years ago because, well, life, but now it has become much clearer question of pushing through to retirement or delaying retirement to take up something else.
completely agree with you.. the story of my life right now.. you study something in school.. qualify in some thing else and then end up working in something else. the whole problem is not identifying peoples skills and rewarding them. for a person like me work / life balance is important.. so no matter how much well i might get paid if i dont have time for my personal life that would frustrate me..
i think job titles and descriptions should change over time.. and job creation should have options for all kinds of working experiences.. in my part of the world.. part time jobs/ freelancing is not well looked up to.. even volunteering.. and taking career breaks is also not respected.. hence.. you have to slave continuously whether you like it or not with something you will not enjoy doing.. for the sake of not just money but for reputation
We usually start on the wrong path in life and it’s up to us to correct it.
yeah… it takes a while to know you were on the wrong path.. 😀
Yes, it does.
I agree with your thoughts on this. I am also finding out through conversations with my peers that most of us are starting to dislike and even hate our jobs. In my case I mostly dislike it because I find it monotonous with no room for growth but many peers hate their job due to low income or difficulties with their boss or colleagues. Thank you for an interesting post!
Thank you for reading! 😀
This is a very interesting topic. Right now I do not work out of the home since I became disabled in 2009. But I was stuck in a job I absolutely hated, why did I take that job, for the reasons you mentioned, I had a new car and had to make the payments. I worked in quality control as an inspector at a very low rate, but that was my field of expertise, I felt at that time when I was offered the job I needed to take it in order to keep my car, I could only stick it out for a year, I got my weeks vacation, and I could not go back, so I moved on, biggest mistake I ever made because I would have taken a job shoveling horse crap to pay for my car, it was my first ever new car. Well I hated the job I went to so much it showed in my attitude and I got fired. I had to fight them for my unemployment, but I won. I feel like allot of people out there do, you do what you have to do at that time because you have bills to pay or children to feed, house payments, bills, bills, bills! It’s sad really because it’s happening all around us. Great topic, thank you for giving us all something to chew on, and maybe even change someone’s path in their life. Have a positive Monday everyone.
Thank you for taking your time to read and share your thoughts! I really hope that my posts are helpful 🙂
Oh they are very helpful. Thank you for sharing 🙂
<3
I started my job in 2013 and by 2016 I began to despise it. I am just here because it is 20 minutes away, hours are flexible, and I can afford school. But I do not like my boss or my coworkers. I am just finishing my degree and saving so I can hopefully move to a new state and get a new job.
As long as you have a plan to make some changes, I think you’re on the right track! 🙂
Were people meant to work themselves to death? I think not, and I think this is the crux of the issue – work has become such a central part of our lives, in pursuit of money, survival, a purpose, etc.
Work days are getting longer, vacations are getting shorter and more sporadic. Weekend work is much more commonplace than it used to be. Employees are expected to be available/ on call all the time. It leaves little time to relax, rejuvenate, discover other aspects of life.
Working to death is not a way to live.
No, it’s not…
Interesting thoughts – speaks a lot to what has been on my mind recently.
An interesting point about income; while I think you’re right about low income leading to resentment, the opposite is rarely true. Once someone has satisfied those first few tiers on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, higher income does not lead to better job satisfaction. Usually it is management style, work environment, and working conditions (like being overworked) that make the difference.
Yes, I agree with you. Higher income can lead do an increase of satisfaction in off time which can also lead to a higher level of frustration when those people have to get back to work if they don’t like/love what they do.
Thanks for sharing that it took you 5 years to change jobs etc. That gives me hope and encouragement. I have just started going to a career planner and although most of my working days are behind me I would like to think that one day i would enjoy the positives more than the negatives in my work place. Good question and enjoy reading the feedback.
I always enjoy reading feedback! Thank you so much for giving it! If you decide to do it, I’m sure you will enjoy the positives more.
“Satan on steroids”… Bwahahahahahah! It’s liked you’ve worked in a call center, or something.
What I hate about my “job” now is that it isn’t a job – it’s disability. I don’t like being “mentally unstable” – and the income I bring in from my disability pay is crap. At the same time, I can’t stand for extended periods of time, or even deal with people on a daily level that going back to school to get my recertification as a Lab Tech would take. Oh, and if I DO work part time, and make more than X amount, all the “benefits” I have get taken away. It’s an ugly set up.
Actually, in my first year of college I worked for two weeks in a call center. The work you do sounds like an ugly set up indeed.
I worked for 5 years in one – it did more to destroy my mental health than anything else I’ve ever experienced. At least at home I can set boundaries, and not have some damned supervisor screaming at me for not upselling more crap.
When all they think about is money, we cannot ask more from them…
Starting to hate mine as well, I love what I do but not where I’m working. Demon boss and low income 🙈
One of the worst combination. What would you do about this situation?
I’m in the process of moving to a different city, so that means new Job!
Awesome!
Love your blog could you follow me
My last job I hated with a passion. I actually loved the work I was doing and my boss, but management, a lack of growth opportunity and unfair treatment made me hate it. I worked my butt off and never was recognized for it while everyone around me had half as much work and got rewarded every time I turned around. The favoritism and pettiness I just couldn’t stand anymore. To get through it I prayed… a lot, and focused solely on my work. I stopped working hard to impress management, I focused on working hard to glorify God (1 Corinthians 10:31). That at least got me through it until I could find something else.
It’s awesome if you could find the strength to move forward. How long have you worked in that place?
Your job should be your passion (doing what makes you happiest for remuneration). If the two don’t match, you will always be unhappy wherever you are regardless of the pay.
Yep, exactly!
Great article. Thanks for posting. My clients also tell me they are looking for a change because:
1. They hate their boss and feel unappreciated.
2. They worry about their bills.
3. They are anxious about applying for a new position because they don’t know where to start with writing a résumé.
Catharine
http://www.resumekeyhelps.org
Thank you! Changing the job can be pretty tough especially if we spend lots of time at a certain job.
You’ll never know if you’re jumping out of the frying pan into the fire. However, you can continue jumping until you got into the right job!
Agree. But we can skip some jumps if we manage to figure out earlier what we want to do. If not, trial and error until we get there.