I keep reading and seeing comments about “people don’t want to work today.” Or “they just want to live off the government.”
It’s complete bullshit. Because we’re shifting blame in the exact opposite direction.
I’m at a company with about 30 of us. We’re not super well known. I posted two job openings a few weeks ago and to date? I’ve received over 160 resumes.
But “people don’t want to work.” Oh, OK.
Here’s what people don’t want:
Dead end jobs. Low-paying, dead-end jobs. Condescending, low-paying, dead-end jobs.
The jobs going unfilled are exactly the above. The same people saying “no one wants to work today” sure aren’t flooding to apply for these "awesome" jobs. Interesting, yes?
The narrative then flips to “they” should be lucky to have a job. Condescending…check!
(by the by, who is this “they” that keeps getting brought up. If these jobs are so amazing, why aren’t you taking them? Why do you keep shifting the blame to some nebulous “they?”)
MATH
The same people shifting the blame are the same ones posting about the “evils” of socialism…yet, it’s also a completely fair and reasonable ask that someone accepts a job making $7.25 an hour; and should be happy with the “gift.” Let’s do the math:
$7.25 x 40 hours x 52 weeks = $15,080. A year. That’s working 5 days a week. Every week.
That’s just barely over the 2021 Poverty Line. Can you live on $15,080 a year without any assistance?
Maybe 40 hours a week isn't enough, maybe "these people" should work 80 hours, yes?
$7.25 x 80 x 52 weeks = $30,160.
That's working 11.5 hours a day, 7 days a week, every single week. For $30k. Would you do that for $30k?
Then the narrative flips to “well, these jobs were never intended for adults…but teenagers.”
Ok, so “these people” who don’t want to work anymore are teenagers? Is that who we’re blaming?
INFLATION
Inevitably, the conversation turns again and goes something like “well, I guess if you want to pay $50 for your Happy Meal, go ahead and raise minimum wage.” Threats and a complete lack of economic understanding wrapped into one idiotic statement? Again, check.
Federal minimum wage has been $7.25 since 2009. 12 years. During that same time, we’ve had a cumulative price change of nearly 27% (40% in healthcare, as a fun fact).
But…wait…I thought if we raised the minimum wage…our chicken nuggies would be $50!
We haven’t had a single adjustment to minimum wage in 12 years, but prices are up 27%?
What sorcery is this? The same virology, political and legal "experts" that make up social media...are also economics "experts" and told me that if we raise minimum wage, I won't be able to afford chicken nuggies!
But minimum wage hasn't gone up in 12 years and prices went up anyways? Experts!! Help me explain this!
MY TAKE
If you, as a business owner, cannot afford to pay employees a living wage, offer them growth opportunities and treat them as valuable resources? You don’t deserve to have a business.
You aren’t a capitalist…you’re a socialist (at best…and many other words that are un-printable). You’re expecting the government to subsidize your business. Stop deflecting blame. You are not a ‘job creator.’
Further, if you treat people as if they “owe” you something for giving them a job? You deserve what you’re getting right now. Employees are bringing resources, skills and their time in exchange for your pay. They are not beholden to you. Treating them as such? Leaves you without a workforce. Look in a mirror and stop blaming others for your mistakes.
Finally, if you are looking for where to focus some blame: since 2009, CEO compensation has gone up 52.6%. The typical worker? 5.3%. Just a small, 10x delta.
Perhaps the reasons for your Happy Meal being a little more expensive isn’t due to front-line employees asking for a reasonable pay raise. Prices going up 27% may not be because the grocery check-out clerk wants a $0.35/hour raise.
This isn't "hate on CEOs" but, you can't have CEO pay increases of 52.6% and zero on minimum wage...all while still blaming those receiving minimum wage for inflation. All while still blaming those earning minimum wage for "not wanting to work."
Dear employers…people want to work. But they want the opportunity to grow. Learn new things. Be treated fairly and respectfully and have the chance to elevate their station in life.
Your attitude, your disrespect, your mistreatment has put you in the position you’re in today.
Own your mistakes and quit deflecting or you may indeed continue to reap what you have sowed.
People want to work. But they want a fair wage. They want to be treated respectfully (versus, I dunno, being called “those people”). And they want an opportunity to grow. Can’t offer that? Then the person to blame is staring back at you in the mirror.
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