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Having a job can be both a blessing and a curse. A few lucky ones have managed to pave the career path they have always dreamed of, but the rest are just putting on a clean shirt and fake smile combo and barely getting through the eight-hour bender five days a week.

While having a meaningful job ranked 13th out of 29 sources of happiness in a global survey, only 40 percent of American workers say that they work in good jobs, according to this survey. Many reasons can be to blame, from poor pay to unfair treatment, long working hours, and job insecurity.

Luckily, for anyone who feels that way about their job, here is a safe place to talk about it. Welcome to the Free From Work subreddit which, according to the description, “is the right place if you hate working!” Created back in 2021, the community is still pretty young, but it already features impressive content that is “mostly memes and tweets to brighten up your day.”

Below, we wrapped up some of the funniest and most soul-soothing Free From Work posts that work like a band-aid for our overworked souls.

More people than we think have been in a position where the hatred for their job became overpowering. For some, it happened suddenly, for others it started from the first day at work, while for most employees, the sense of loathing came gradually but became too strong to ignore.

So in order to find out what to do in such a situation, how to navigate a job you don’t like or even hate, and when is it better to part ways with it, Bored Panda spoke to Christine Mitterbauer, a licensed and ICF-approved career coach based in the UK.

#4

Freefromwork

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BadCat
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's a fear and a sound one, especially if you're working to support others.

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From her experience as a career coach, people often start hating their job when there’s a clash between their personal values and the values of the company or sector they work in, Mitterbauer argues. “The longer this goes on, the more the dislike, or even hate, can grow.”

“Another common reason people hate their job is that they have a hard time with specific people, a boss or colleagues they work closely with,” she said and added, “Whether it’s better to quit or not is a matter of your life circumstances and whether you can afford to quit, but of course, it’s better to notice your dislike for your job growing before it becomes all-consuming.”

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#5

Freefromwork

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DKS 001
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

as an introvert .... I would LOVE to permanently work remote so that I could stay AWAY from everyone else's unnecessary drama

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Facts

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I I
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

billionaires have 1000 MILLIONS , and Musk has 200 BILLION , it's both mind boggling and fcking sickening

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According to the career coach, there can be good reasons for keeping a job that has neither good pay nor good terms: “jobs in certain sectors, for example, the arts or education, don’t always pay well but they might give you a big sense of meaning and satisfaction.” Mitterbauer argues that “if those are values you treasure, that might be enough reason to keep the job despite the salary being low.”

#8

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François Carré
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My job is not exhausting at all compared to others, and I know I'm lucky for that. But it's clearly eating up my intellectual energy. I used to draw from time to time, and write short stories. Now I casually come home at 7 in the evening with zero creativity.

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#9

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François Carré
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Start looking for all the big companies you don't really need to spend your money for on a daily basis, and thus could boycott permanently until they pay their taxes and decent wages to their employees. That seems a fair and quite satisfying thing to do.

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#10

Living Wage Has Long Lost Its Meaning

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Pumpkin Spice
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I heard that growing up, people could pay rent on a single income and work good hours. I'll never have that life. I wake up every day knowing that it's only a matter of time until I turn 15, and then I need to start working. Otherwise, I'll never afford college. I want to become a psychologist and live in a nice apartment with a cat. But the most I'll ever be is an anxious, depressed McDonald's cashier.

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When asked what to do when after years a person suddenly develops a sense of not liking their job anymore, Mitterbauer’s advice is to get clear on your values – what is truly important to you in life.

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“I often use the Wheel of Work, which shows people several aspects and values of their job, and then we discuss each in turn, how important it is to them, and to what extent it is being met now. Money, creativity, culture, creativity, etc. Through lots of conversation, you lay out on the table what values are truly important and which ones are less important.”Mitterbauer argues that if you hate your job, there’s a good chance this is because there’s a clash here. “It’s never too late to change, and you can start making small changes today,” she concluded.

#12

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Cammy Cat
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah. Worked somewhere with one of these where u had the option of putting your name, and if u didn't, it was "anonymous". So a co-worker did his as Elvis, and shockingly enough, he got called in to HR about it. Told us he did it to prove it wasn't anonymous at all

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#13

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IcyPenguinToes
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think they actually did invent that flavor of Monopoly. To try to profit on the sadness. Doubt the board is fun enough to be flammable more than once though

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#14

The Myth Of Hard Work

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Jul Chv
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes. That! And every edgefound baby with privileges would be starving.

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#16

Freefromwork

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Philip Williams
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

With the benefit of hindsight, if there was an evacuation order then any manager who forced the workers to remain under guard should absolutely be liable for their deaths, and the very company should be sued and prosecuted out of existence. Natural disaster in reference to the storm and its effects is accurate

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#18

Facts

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Iifa A.
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

26 years? And only 78000? Where do you live and can you please get me a place like this.

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#19

Being Lazy Is Not A Thing

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Susie Elle
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't believe in laziness. I believe in inactiveness, which is usually a product of something the individual is not happy about.

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#20

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DKS 001
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

poor folk incentives: 1) Recommend this job to a friend. If we hire them and they stay for 3 months YOU get $100! ... 2) employee appreciation gets you a paper bag full of candy and 1 fruit

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#22

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Jiska Veldhuizen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That must be an American thing? We never gave out awards like that, that's ridiculious.

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#23

Do You Agree?

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François Carré
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And I'm always baffled by all these Hollywood movies, praised by massive audience and making billions of juicy dollars, while most of them carry very specific anticapitalistic messages that should start revolutions right away at the exit of the movie theatre.

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#24

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Torsten
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To be more precise it's the Calvinist/Pietist "live to work - not work to live".

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#26

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Psycho Cat
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Capitalism doesn't work, communism doesn't work, democracy doesn't work, socialism doesn't work... I think our "leaders" don't work.

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Iifa A.
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's not that all of these don't work, it's that all these need a community support for it to work. There's a reason why some countries handle people well to achieve the life they see. Unfortunately one makes an assumption that ALL people see world same. Politicians should be indifferent and only represent what the voters want even if it goes against their own views. It only works if everyone does what is expected, and knows of real consequences, take bribe get 20yrs for abusing trust as a politicians or any other hurting people position should have real consequences if caught. How many politicians just resigned after money laundering, sex scandal, child trafficking. Nothing happened. some countries have better control on humans through restrictions on outside media and western views. Public servers should serve public same way barista does, and should give what people want not what he wants, regardless of his salary, incentives or bribes. Law must apply harder on public servers.

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Bruce Horton
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Capitalism works great in many countries. Where do you think Sweden, Denmark and all the "good" countries get the money to fund their social welfare programs?

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Nichele Givand
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He took out his big spoon and stirred all of the Koop Aid with this one. 😂

kaisariany avatar
COCO puff
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Its an american thing, capitalism/economics works in several countries.

chrysalis_1 avatar
WordWeaver
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Does it or is it that better labour laws apply in those countries? These date back to the 1930's by the way, from the Great Depression, and post WW2.

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James G. Currie
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is why these "newsletter" e-mails have to be moderated... To prevent any reality from breaking the fantasy!

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I I
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

if capitalism works , why is EVERY capitalist country in debt ????

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MsGendered
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Debt based monetary systems. And it's almost all countries. Banks win, nations lose.

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Lupin Croaq
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Capitalism works wonderfully well. It is capitalism that has given the world the miraculous developments in medication, power, flight and thousands of other inventions. Capitalism adulterated by self serving politicians from small town to US presidents and Congress is what has derailed so much that is or could have been good. In large part we are ourselves to blame. We have failed and continue to fail to find, support and elect honorable men and women to public office.

chrysalis_1 avatar
WordWeaver
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Capitalism has not been adulterated - it was and still is a a rapacious system - but then, so are the other types in different ways. So, maybe we should be asking, what should be our world Post-Capitalism be like? Perhaps we should choose leaders for their sagacity and ethics, not their flash and dazzle demagoguery, or their willingness to be factional puppets.

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Kevin Richie
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1 year ago

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Biden's too old to work, just ask Kamaltoe. Oh, wait, she doesn't work either. (giggle giggle, giggle)

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#28

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I I
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

why do you think they like to keep us fighting ? so we cant unite , if we're busy fighting each other we're not waking up and fighting them , the cause of ALL our problems

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#29

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KJ
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's really crappy of the employer, I will settle for getting no bonus instead.

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#31

No Billionaire Got To Where They Are Without The Exploitation Of Workers.

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#32

That's Not Job , That's Prison

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John G
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Bro, that’s capitalism in a nutshell. Exploit a land for its people and resources to acquire wealth.

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#36

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Pumpkin Spice
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Save things for a rainy day!" Meanwhile, it's 24/7/52 monsoon season.

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I I
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

they got their offa your hard work , thats the kicker

#38

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I I
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

modern day slavery , you work for housing and food , at least you're "free"

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#42

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Minath
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hate when celebrities are championing some worthwhile causes, they don't put their own money in, they persuade their fans to donate. Then they get celebrated because they raised x amount of money.

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#43

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Psycho Cat
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ooof if I had 10.000 dollars, my life would do a 180! Debts paid, teeth fixed, bills paid...

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#45

Freefromwork

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#46

That's Right

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#47

Freefromwork

InDaCV2 , cymrurouge Report

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Torsten
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Germany is 67 and may be up 70 due to stupid politicians throwing money around.

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#48

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Alexander Neil
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Construction companies do the same. One subsidiary owns all the assets, heavy equipment, scaffolding, etc. The other subsidiary, with different, unrelated officers, operates as HR. Came up in a Federal case where I had the misfortune of serving on the jury.

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#51

Freefromwork

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#52

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Kel WNC
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Read an economic article that stated the lack of workers is due to...... the Boomers! The boomers that were close to retirement, went ahead and retired. The boomers that were retired, but had a hobby job, quit that job. This is because they were high risk to covid and they didnt want to take the chance. So, the boomers are really the ones "who don't want to work." Meanwhile, essential Mcdonald employees worked through the whole pandemic.

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#53

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#54

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WordWeaver
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sadly true. And then dudding you with lies to the next workplace before you even got there.

#56

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WordWeaver
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm a boomer and I keep stirring all I can. Yes, I was lucky in many ways to be born in that era but it came with a lot drawbacks too - rampant sexism (pun intended), "greed is good" business ethics (same as now), slimy tactics by Church accepted at face value, overpopulation, shortsighted future planning and more. Maybe YOUR grandkids (if any) will look back on YOUR generation as a Golden Age. "OK, Millennial." So what can we ALL do to change things? I strongly advocate a more spiritual approach (NOT religious!) because sooner or later we will be coming back to sort out whatever has been left - a mess, if we do nothing, and maybe some better pathways if we do.

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#57

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I I
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

sad thing is they could fit them out as housing and end the housing crisis

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#58

Great Advice. Found On King At Newtown, Nsw Australia.

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Redpen88
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Used to DM at a buddy's place before the 'vid ended all human contact. One time, there was almost a TPK and his cat got on the table and carried off the mini for the BBEG.... I decided that was canon and they party was saved by the indifferent cat god. Haven't laughed that hard in a long time.

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#59

Freefromwork

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#60

Freefromwork

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Chris
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Actually dropping the lunch and coffee would save $49. To make a joke right, do better math.

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#61

Freefromwork

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WordWeaver
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wonder what would happen if every millennial declared bankruptcy - simultaneously?

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#63

Freefromwork

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Gabby Ghoul
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To be fair, if you think FICO scoring is bad, it was even worse before that. Hard to believe, I know.

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#64

The System Has Been Rigged For Us To Fail Or Just Get By . Only The Owners Benefit.

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WordWeaver
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's just a job. No matter how much you work or love it, it will never love you back. It's only your life and other people who matter. In union is strength, which is why the original people who started unions were victimised by the elite and their minions, jailed, murdered (judicial executions, assassination), transported as convicts and vilified in the elite owned press. In the USA, unions have been effectively muzzled and demonised over the generations but in truth, though they are as subject to corruption as any other human enterprise, vital progress re labour laws has been made. But eternal vigilance of the workers is necessary. Be courageous and persevere. Change comes. As Mandela said "It's always impossible until it's done."

#66

Demanding Living Wage , With The Fast Pace Of Raising Cost Of Living Raising Can Do A Thing

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I I
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

the whole world needs to down tools at the same time , they'd soon get the message

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#68

Freefromwork

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A.
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Darkness is only oppressive if you've ever seen light.

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#69

Freefromwork

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#70

Freefromwork

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Kay Phillips
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"That depends. If it's a once in a while situation when I can help my team, sure, I don't mind. But if it's a daily expectation it means the company is understaffed or mismanaged, and has no intention of changing that."

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#71

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Sue User
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Mine gave me a swiss army knife. I asked if I was supposed to use it on myself.

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#72

Freefromwork

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#77

Freefromwork

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#78

Don't Let Bosses Make You Feel Guilty

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#79

Freefromwork

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#80

Freefromwork

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