Getting fired from my job
The problems of a job in a big company
They fired me… well they tried. Apparently new corporate laws make it a little harder to fire employees that have been with you for 3 years…
This last month, my retail job tried to fire me. Why? Well the paperwork says that I made a health and safety error but in reality its much more than that. I don’t know if you guys want to know more about that, if you do, let me know. But for now let me talk about management.
If you have ever worked in a retail job you already know how it feels to be in the position of taking shit from management. It’s horrible and it’s the reason that most people hate their job. The worst thing is I fear that most young people have not realised that a corporate job where you get paid twice the salary does not make up for the bullshit which is work politics. Most jobs after university are going to present you with very similar problems to the ones you encounter on your weekend job. For me, I don’t have university to distract me from the reality which is occurring in my job. So when I got treated like shit as a waiter in the restaurant I first worked at, I made it a mission of mine to make sure I never be in a position that I have to take shit to earn a living. If someone treats me like shit, I want to be able to close that door and go spend time with people who value me. The jobs I have been in for the last 4 years have shown me that either I make it a point to fix it now, or I let it snowball and make it a even bigger problem in 10 years when I have a family to feed and a mortgage to pay.
I have monthly bills to pay just like the next person, but I can only imagine what it must be like to have the survival of your family depending on a job. I may lose my job, but at worst, I would have lost my car, ruin my credit score, and have to cancel all my subscriptions like the gym and my courses. For most people in their 30s, 40s or even 50s, losing their job would mean not only do they not eat, but their kids also don’t eat. They may end up losing their house, and a ruined credit score at that age can feel like the world is ending - not only is it extremely difficult to build a credit score, it is ten times easier to mess it all up.
Financial trouble is a very big problem for most people. In America, more than 50% of the population lives pay check to pay check. That means, if they get fired from their job, they are in debt the next month. Just like millions have experienced due to COVID-19 in these last two years, this little statistic means that they are always one step away from disaster. They are walking alongside a cliff edge without a single idea of the consequences.
This last year I had also taken on a few responsibilities that left me in the mud financially. This has not only bust my wallet but has also has taken a little toll on my mental health to say the least. But to be honest, after all is said and done I wouldn’t change a single thing. I have loved all the things I have done in the past, it’s been absolutely brilliant in teaching me, and making me into the person I am today.
“The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.” - Marcus Aurelius
Management vs Leadership
The best part of the bad experiences in my jobs in the past is that now I know what a terrible job feels like. This is crucial to understand the privilege of having a good job. One in which you are valued. Much like the situation I found myself in at the start of this month with a new job.
On the first of this month I found myself working as a receptionist at my martial arts club that I have been training at. If you guys would like I can talk a little bit more about that or general stories like I have today in this weeks YouTube video. I would love to make more of these, but I don’t because it always feels like no one would watch as it provides little value. I first started writing to document what I am doing, so if you would like more of this style of video, let me know.
Thanks for watching or reading,
Harj xx
London 22/04/22