Comments on: Is Desperation Required To Be An Employee?

By: Gates VP

Gates VP — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 20:49:31 +0000

In answer to the original thesis, I would say “no”. But the effects of desperation on the working populace is quite clear.

By: fathersez

fathersez — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 07:04:38 +0000

Once a former boss told me that he only employed “hungry people”. He meant that the employee should be passionate about his work, blah, blah blah.

I think you are right. Most of these guys want desperate people. People who won’t be able to stand up to the nonsensical things bosses all over the world are known to do.

Or a golden handcuff.

By: Revanche

Revanche — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 00:29:59 +0000

I had a junior high school teacher who was in that position: he was teaching comp classes because he liked them (though I don’t believe he really loved jr high kids, they’re so hormonal!)

I’m surprised that he was around for as long as he was, especially given administration headaches, but you could tell that he loved the subject and his classes which made a huge difference in how well his students performed. It’s pretty nifty to have a teacher who would teach whether or not they had a financial need to do so.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 04:51:59 +0000

Ahhh, the freedom that money can buy. I’ve known a few people in the position of the Home Depot guy, and that is where I want to be – working because I want to, not because I need to.

By: TStrump

TStrump — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 02:42:33 +0000

I can tell you, the only reason I’m working is because I have bills to pay.
If I had enough passive income to cover all my expenses, I’d be gone!
Even if I had a certain amount of money put aside (say, a year) I’d probably quit and try to make it … or at least do something I’m passionate about.
We’re just not meant to work in cubicles.

By: David

David — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 23:46:02 +0000

I think a lot of people get locked down in a job because of a mortgage. Right now I’m in a job that I like but my manager is the worse one I have ever had, I think about leaving sometimes but comparable jobs I have been offered the last couple of yours were 40% less pay, 2 weeks less vacation and a worse pension plan and benefits. So for now I stay, but I keep reminding myself and my wife that in 4 years when the mortgage is gone, that will be a game changer.

With that said if I won the lottery I would be out of there! But I would definitely keep doing something like offering to help at my kids school, volunteer in the community, etc.

By: Mintycake

Mintycake — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 22:03:18 +0000

I can tell you if I won the lotto I would not go back to my current job. My husband, on the other hand, would. That’s how you can tell if you really love your job.

By: Four Pillars

Four Pillars — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 17:21:55 +0000

Cheap – I’m not really sure if would actually work at all if I didn’t have to. However, if I was in a situation where I was retired and didn’t have enough to do/enough structure then maybe doing a bit of work might improve my life a bit.

And you’re right – I’d be a lot more choosy about what I worked on.

By: Mr. Cheap

Mr. Cheap — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 17:03:07 +0000

Guinness: I haven’t actually seen that happen (just seems like it might be a good idea for some employers). TMW has seen it though, so I guess it happens.

SquawkFox: I’ll let you know (it depends on whether we hear from Telly or not ).

BloggingBanks: You and Mike make a good point that you’d still want to “work”. I think in both cases, you’d be doing something different than what you’re doing to earn a living now, right? Less time, more fulfilling, a different role or something.

By: BloggingBanks

BloggingBanks — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:55:59 +0000

Most retailers offer employees a discount, so that they could shop cheaply at the store. In reality however, this increases employees expenses.

However if you really really loved what you did, even if you had a trillion dollars, then you’d still go to work. You might end up owning your own business in the field, but you’d still be working.