Things I Wish My Boss Knew

There are a lot of negative comments floating around regarding people and work. Humans are burned out, sick, and fighting to pay bills. Phrases like, “Short staffed” “living wage” “work from home” “more time with family” and “more time off for death, illness, and mental health issues” are just a few of the conversation points heard at the dinner table and on the street. A lot has changed while working during a pandemic, but have employers been adjusting or listening to the employee needs? Many say no.

In November of 2021 millions of people quit their jobs. Many people blame the Covid 19 Pandemic, but this is only part of the reasoning behind what some call the great resignation.
Articles by PeopleKeep, Clutch, the Harvard Business Review, and the New York Times continue to report similar information. They say that people want flexibility to care for their families and pets who have been affected by the pandemic, fair pay, fair treatment, healthcare, and paid time off. It sounds reasonable to me and probably everyone who is reading this post, but too many employers are not getting on board. They are allowing greed, fear, and inexperience to get in the way of good business practices.

According to the Labor Law Center, year 2022; 20 states, including Pennsylvania, still have a minimum wage of $7.25 per hour or $15,080 per year. California has a minimum wage (for companies that have at least 26 employees) of $15.00 per hour or $31,200 per year.
According to Rentdata.org, the average cost for a two-bedroom apartment in PA is $1,032 per month which is $12,384 per year. The average cost for a two-bedroom apartment in CA is $1,526 per month which is $18,312 per year. According to the Center on Poverty and Social Policy of Columbia University, the child poverty rate was marked at 17% in January 2022.

Do you see the problem? Something has to change.

And as President Obama stated, “We are the one we’ve been waiting for. We are the change we seek.”

1. Research: Find out who is hiring in areas where your skills are a match, read the company’s reviews, make a list of questions to ask when you interview them for the position, and decide what you will and won’t compromise when on the job.
2. Communicate/ Allow Feedback: Be clear and concise when speaking to potential employers or your boss, make an appointment to speak in person and then follow up with an email for documentation, ask for the money you need to thrive in your work, and clearly state your needs as an employee. Ask for feedback and seek to understand.
3. Set / Practice Goals and Boundaries: To do well and get what we want, we must know what we want and practice our skills. Set goals that are measurable – I will complete my reports before I leave the office each day. Set boundaries – I will not work past my paid time or take calls on the weekends. *Practice and reset when appropriate.

Lastly, Speak Up! Communicate with your government, human resources, and your community (both at work and where you live). No one in the United States should live in poverty, be harassed, or accept racial or gender profiling. Secret salaries do not benefit the worker. Unsafe work environments are against the law. You are a unique individual bringing unique talent/skill to the table. You are worthy of a beautiful life.