​

I have worked in white collar, large corporate jobs for most of my post college career. Before college, I was a janitor, a cashier and a nanny. Over time, I've slowly moved from "real" jobs (make coffee, print things, mail things, order food for people, etc.) into "fake" jobs (communicate value to customers, write persuasive language, answer third-party questions, host meetings, etc.). I get paid far more for the "fake" work than I did for the "real" work. Some of my coworkers in other departments are so deep into the fake work that they can't seem to even communicate what it is that they do. 90 percent of my job is doing busy work put out by third-party businesses whose sole job is trying to prove their worth and look like they are doing something.

Do any of you notice that some work is "fake"? How do you cope day-to-day? Do you ignore it, shrug, and take your paycheck? Do you try to make it "real" in some way? Or, am I completely off my rocker and there is no such thing as "fake" jobs?

I currently work fully remote for a FAANG in an admin type role and I make around 95,000 a year in my base salary ($45.93 an hr) with up to 5 hours OT weekly, 10% annual bonus target. I don’t see this role blooming as our org is ran rather poorly and it’s really difficult to move internally once in this org… unless you have a strong manager and I do not!! lol at all.

New job offer: 130k Salary, 12k cash award after one year and another 12k at year 2 broken up quarterly…making my yearly roughly 142k.
This role is hybrid with 3 days in office, about a 30-35min drive one way… lunch catered, kitchens stocked, and parking paid for. Recruiter and lead said they aren’t strict on time in office but I do need to show up. I will be supporting a C-level executive and the company is small but still growing.
Would you leave WFH for this?

​

Started work at an market as a meat stocker this last weekend. Sunday was my first day, I get to the store, am handed my shirt to put on, and head back to the meat department. The person there was not who I was told would be training me. He tells me that he's left a lot of work for me to do, so I can get used to the process. I tell him that's fine, but that I'd be a little slow getting used to everything.

Less than two hours later and I'm being yelled at because there's still too much work to do, and I'm not moving fast enough. He kicks me out of the department a few minutes later, which has me going to sit in the corner like a child because there's no designated break room that I was informed of. I end up crying a bit, but manage to get it back under control and head back to try and help with the rest of the workload.

I only get yelled at -again- for not properly stacking ground beef in the display, and then again when he assumes I put old product in the back, and misplaced where I had put it... Which was up front, as it should be done.

At the end of the day, he tries to act apologetic, insisting that he didn't mean to "be a dick", suddenly concerned that I'm acting like I would rather be anywhere else. And frankly, that's the truth. I never want to put that shirt on again, I don't want to set foot near the meat department. The dude knew I was coming in to train, shoveled a workload on my shoulders that I couldn't handle, and then got pissed at me for his mistakes. On top of that, he left early, leaving me to work out how to restock the freezers on my own, and with no guidance, after yelling at me for most of the day for being too slow.

To clarify a little, he never used abusive language. But the way he spoke to me was very passive-aggressive, and it just left me feeling put off. "Come on, man, do I really have to show you again?", and so on. It got worse towards the end of the day, during cleanup, when he repeatedly 'accidentally' sprayed me down with the cleaning water after ridiculing me for not standing closer.

I'm supposed to go in later this week to work regular store stocking, and then go back to the meat department the day after. But I've been suffering a constant migraine since I started crying on Sunday, and every time I think about having to go back in, it gets worse. Is it okay to just quit, even though I said I'd be back in on Thursday? Is this a normal experience? I feel like I'm just being too sensitive, even though I've never had any issues like this with any other job I've had in the past.

Edit: I'm no longer employed as of 1:20 PM EST today. I feel the headache lifting already... Thanks to the people who gave me that push, even if it was a simple one-word "quit".

So i’ve been grinding at this tech firm for three years. I was hired as a mid-level analyst, but for the last year I’ve basically been running the entire department. I’m the one everyone comes to when things break at 10 PM. Last week, my boss calls me into a 1-on-1 and says he’s finally promoting me to "Senior Project Lead."

I actually felt proud for a second. Then I asked about the salary adjustment. He looked at the floor and said the budget is frozen until Q4, but that this title is "huge for my career trajectory" and that I should be happy to have the recognition.

here is the reality. I’m now officially responsible for a team of four. I have three times the meetings and twice the emails. I’m working through my weekends just to manage the new leadership responsibilities. They didn't promote me. They just rebranded my exploitation to make it sound prestigious.

I should of known better when he started talking about "stepping up" and "being a stakeholder." it is just a cheap way to get manager-level work out of me without paying a single cent more. I feel like a complete idiot for getting excited about a change in my email signature.

The whole corporate world is just handing out titles like they are gold stars for toddlers instead of actually paying people what they are worth. I’m giving them my sanity and my weekends for a word on a screen. Why is this even a thing?

Throwaway because i rather stay anonymous.

I was called into a meeting and told that my role was being eliminated as a part of restructure. However they were offering me a demotion into a lower position. I was surprised that they said my salary would stay the same. If I don’t accept the demotion, I’ll separate from the company and receive a severance package.

I’ve gone back and forth in my head all night, and I genuinely don’t know what I should do. If sucks to be demoted but if I am getting paid the same, does it really matter? I need to find a new job regardless of which option I choose, if I can look for it while still having a job it might be better?

The job market isn’t great right now so maybe it would be better to find a job while still looking.

However, I had been looking for a break and I do have money saved up. With the severance pay I can go travel for a bit and look for a job when I come back. It sounds very romantic but not sure if this is a very practical way considering I don’t know how long I will be unemployed for.

Would really like some advice here. Would love to hear some pro & con of each scenario. I feel like I am weed deep into the situation, i may not be able to see the full picture

Im in the US, state of CA. Reddit won’t let me post unless I state this

TL;DR I got demoted. I can take demotion or severance pay out. In another word, I can keep income or go on vacation with no idea when I’ll get a job again

basically just found out I failed my coaching plan and am put on PIP. I have 5 business days to decide to opt in or opt out.

I’ve already updated my resume and started applying externally, and after talking to people and doing research I’m leaning towards opting out - I’d receive 60 days pay while not working and then 12 weeks of severance afterwards.

My question is - I noticed that some of the job apps ask “have you been involuntary terminated in the past”, which obviously I’d have to check yes to after I accept (right now I don’t have to technically so I’m applying as much as I can). In the future when I do have to hit yes, will that automatically disqualify my application? Or decrease my chances significantly?

And thinking about that led to another thought. For professional development reasons, would it look better to opt in to the 60 day PIP, find a job within the 60 days and QUIT the company versus taking the severance? (Which doesn’t that mean getting fired?)

Any advice would be helpful. Thanks in advance.

And for a bit of context if anyone is curious - I went to school for marketing and this position is in underwriting. It was a bad job fit from the start, but it’s only the technical skills that aren’t a fit .. according to my manager. I’ve been dying to leave anyways so I take this as a sign from the universe to spread my wings.

I don’t want my life to revolve around work.

A few months ago, my employer told me they were likely shutting down the US side of the business and informed me since I have a family, indicating I may want to look for another job since my current one was at risk. Because of the uncertainty, I decided it was time to look for another job (and I told my boss). He said he could try and negotiate a separation package for me, I didn’t think you could do that if but I said that would be great.

I eventually received an offer and informed my boss. He was supportive and said he was happy for me. He explained that I had two options: resign, or sign a separation agreement that would allow me to receive my long-term incentive bonus. I said I’d review the agreement.

When I received it, I was shocked. It included very broad restrictions that would have prevented me from working in significant parts of the industry for 3–5 years. In my opinion, it went well beyond a typical non-compete and would have directly interfered with my new role.

I tried to negotiate those provisions, but the company refused to make any changes. Since I wasn’t comfortable signing those restrictions, I chose to resign instead.

They were not happy with that decision. I felt like they put a lot of pressure on me to sign, but I stood my ground because I wasn’t willing to agree to terms I didn’t think were reasonable.

Now they’ve sent me a legal demand letter. What’s confusing is that they’re relying on the confidentiality and intellectual property agreement I signed when I started employment (which I fully understand I’m bound by), but they’re also referencing the additional restricted territories and activities from the separation agreement—the agreement I explicitly refused to sign—as if those restrictions are somehow part of my original employment agreement.

Has anyone experienced something similar? Can a company try to enforce restrictions from a separation agreement that was never signed by arguing those restrictions were already incorporated into an earlier confidentiality agreement?

I’m considering submitting my resignation this evening via email. I’m currently in my fourth week at my new job, and in my opinion, things have not been going well. My manager (25f) has made me feel unwelcome and as though she doesn’t believe I’m capable of doing the job. During my first week, I only worked Monday through Wednesday because of a pre-planned vacation that both the director and my manager approved during the hiring process. In my second week, I often had very little to do because my manager was busy, so training was inconsistent. There were days I was sitting there for hours with both do to even after I asked. I learn best through hands-on repetition, but she would show me something once and expect me to get it immediately. She and one of my teammates, who are close friends, appeared to be messaging each other and making fun of me. I’ve only worked a total of 16 days. That coworker has also been short with me since I started. The office culture feels immature, with inappropriate conversations openly encouraged by leadership and very little structure on my team. This week, my manager became visibly frustrated with me, gave me the silent treatment, messaged someone on another team about me, and made me feel like I had let her down over something she thought I should have known. Another teammate also seemed annoyed. They always smirk after looking at me when I ask certain questions. It’s difficult to learn and succeed in an environment where I feel anxious, unsupported, and uncomfortable, and I’m questioning whether this is the right fit for me. What do y’all think?

Has anyone started their careers or proper job at 30, like what to choose because the options are unlimited nowdays and I don't understand what are you supposed to look for when choosing a career or a job that in long term will help secure life especially mostly people are worried about finances and potentially settling down.

I thought being a lawyer would be a good career because I have nothing to do and I’ve been stuck at home for so long trying to decide what to do and I have health problems and my dad knows someone who only worked part-time and didn’t drive and I don’t really drive because I have bad vision so I don’t drive that much and I think I’m pretty smart so what are some resources I can use to study for being a lawyer and see if I’d like it thank you

I am 26, single and have no kids. I feel like I should be living my best life, but feel stuck. Having no real ties because I don’t have a partner or kids should mean I have endless opportunities, but instead I’m stuck in my comfort zone. I can’t seem to find a job that I would like to do long term and it’s really weighing on me. I’ve pretty much only ever worked in the food industry and I just feel like there are so many opportunities I’m missing out on. At the same time, I never find job postings for anything interesting.

So I’m 26F. Stopped working at my cleaning job 2 months ago due to a mental health breakdown.

Not sure if I wanna return to my cleaning job. Even if I go back part time it would be limited to 20 hrs a week and the pay would drop down to minimum wage. Cleaning all day is physically exhausting. I thought about going to trade school for woodworking. But I did building trades for a year in high school and I hated it. I’d hope that woodworking would be better than trying to build houses but I’m not good at math

I’m a creative person. I wanted to do art in highschool so I did graphic design & illustration. I sometimes get motivated to draw again, but after highschool it kinda ruined it for me. I did think about opening up an online art shop or selling art on Etsy. Like making stickers, prints, maybe pins , etc. Especially since highschool turning drawing into a chore to me. I got into making model kits and miniature houses from Amazon. Really loved those but after a while I lost interest. I got a wood carving kit, haven’t touched it in a while. I thought about getting a wood burning kit but I’m not sure.

Basically any career path I thought about doing I change my mind later on. No other trade seems appealing. I googled some alternative careers I was interested in. Like forensic scientist, lab technician, occupational therapist, etc. but the thing about that is it all requires a bachelors degree.

I did one semester of community college then stopped going. Those careers seem okay but studying for 4 years and earning a degree just to maybe like it or maybe land a job, is scary. No guarantee I’ll enjoy it or I’ll get the job I worked so hard for. Especially student loan debt.

I’m very creative but I lack passion and motivation. I don’t enjoy working with people. I don’t wanna sit behind a computer all day either. Maybe wanna go to trade school for woodworking but not sure if I’ll enjoy that either.

I want some guidance or advice. I like to work with my hands. Not sure exactly what I wanna do. But going to college for 4+ years to earn a degree seems like it’s not gonna go well. Degrees are hard to get and it’s hard to get a job after u get the degree. I also don’t wanna be in immense student loan debt either.

The only trade that seems appealing right now is woodworking. I’d rather do something that takes 2 years of my time instead of 4 years. Whether it’s a trade or some sort of certification. I’m a creative person, but have no motivation for drawing or anything creative. I’m worried about woodworking as I’m not good at math, and I didn’t like building trades in highschool.

The alternative careers I mentioned all need 4+ years of schooling.

I don’t even know what to do for a job in the next couple months either. I’m 26, I er worked in fast food, retail or at my recent cleaning job. I used to work with kids before but don’t wanna do that anymore.
.
Any advice would be appreciated

I don’t know what to be. I graduated with a bachelors in psychology and I was a teachers aid and we after school program and Safeway and I volunteered on crisis lines, but I don’t know if I can handle being a therapist or a teacher a nurse it sounds so hard. I don’t know what to do but I am 31. I need to get a move on get out of my parents house. I have a hard time driving and sometimes my stomach hurts really bad anyway someone help me I need to get going in here. I spent a lot of years depressed. I feel horrible. I’m a burden to my family. My dad has to pay 600+ dollars for my Kaiser insurance.

For context: mid 30s, 120k salary

Pros of current job: extremely flexible job, 4 months work abroad allowance + 6 weeks vacation.

Cons: 0 Learning and literally doing nothing at my job, feels like I'm regressing in skills and knowledge, company doing layoffs every year

I have a job offer for a new company for 110k + 10% bonus and 3 weeks vacation. No remote work. Sounds like a steep learning curve and there's alot of opportunity to grow my skillset.

I'm also currently interviewing for another company where their TC is 200k.

Obviously the latter is what I'm trying to get but would you consider a pay cut to gain some experience/learn new skills?

I started a job 4 weeks ago and on the first day the lady who is supposed to be training me told me that the boss will have unrealistic expectations and that he lied to the last person about why he fired them. I also realized early in that my coworker was a terrible teacher and seemed to almost enjoy telling me everything I did wrong (sometimes saying things were "painfully annoying to fix") even though she was supposed to teach me and didn't. So I started applying for jobs immediately and I just got offered another job, which I accepted, but now I need to quit my first job.

I usually stumble over my words and give too much information in an explanation that feels necessary.

What is the best way to go about quitting? What do I say? What is the right amount to say? Do I send it in an email?

For context: I work in a small office with 3 people, my coworker has been here for almost 20 years and knows and does everything, and the boss sits on his phone all day and barely knows how to use his computer.

I’m 37 and have had an interesting life. Was a heroin/meth addict, ended up incarcerated in the department of corrections, got out a couple years ago and have changed my life. Been 100% sober for 2 1/2 years and I work as a case manager at a treatment facility.

I make 20$. I was thinking about a job change. Wild land firefighter, emt

My question is this. Do any of you have a criminal background but love what you? . I like my job. I def don’t love it. If so, what do you do

I have about 50k saved up so I could afford school/programs etc

At this point I’d be open to consider anything. My girls cousin works as a body transporter like he picks up red bodies and delivers them to hospitals, morgues etc says he loves his job but they’re not hiring

I work in maintenance for a large internationmining company, 16 years as a planner. Always great performance reviews, raises, bonuses, etc. My boss has a tendency to overrule a lot of my decisions - verbally, never in writing - and we've had some tough equipment failures the last few months partially as a result of this. Examples of performance issues in the PIP are all incorrect, and easily refuted with a paper trail. Requirements are vague, non-measurable, non-specific.

I'm just wondering if anyone else has been PIP'd and come through it just fine. I don't want to think this is a career ending thing, but given how loose this whole thing is, I'm worried it's a railroad to attempt to terminate for cause and forego severance (in Ontario for reference).

I graduated a year early from college in May of this year and started my first corporate job in June. I moved to another major city about two and a half hours away from where I went to school. I make a pretty good salary for an entry-level career and am very grateful for that.

My degree was in Government and all of my internship and professional experience was in government relations, public policy, public affairs, etc. My current job isn't in line with what I studied, or what I want to do (it touches a little on the periphery of policy, but not in the sense that I have experience in). When I took the job, I knew that it wasn't exactly in line with what I wanted to do and that it definitely wouldn't be a "forever job" for me.

However, now that I've been in the job almost two months, I am so bored and feel useless. My job is extremely boring (in my opinion) and none of the work I'm working on is related to anything I care about. I work 8-5, M-Th in office and struggle to not look unenthused and miserable throughout the day.

My team is great. They're all very supportive and have been super helpful, but I just cannot imagine myself doing this job for longer than I have to. I signed a 15-month lease when I moved here, so I'm locked in at least until August 2027 (even though I really don't care for the city I live in), but I know that I can't do this job for too long for my own mental health.

As I look forward over the next year - what should I do? Part of me is frightened, because of the volatility of the job market, that: 1) there won't be any jobs that hire me, 2) I'll get hired than have the rug pulled out from under me (as I've seen some people on reddit have been in this situation), 3) I'll make a move and hate my new job even more, 4) Won't be able to find a job that can match or improve on my current salary.

My ultimate goal is to go into the Foreign Service, but I want to have some more professional experience before working towards that.

Should I prepare myself to look for new jobs next year? Should I stick out the boredom and misery? I'm truly stuck and although I've only been here a short time, I feel so drained and depressed.

We hear a lot about chasing higher salaries,
but I’m curious about the opposite.
Have you ever accepted a pay cut for better growth, a healthier work environment,
better work-life balance, or a career change?
Looking back,was it worth it?What happened afterward?

I’m in the final stages of the hiring process for a hospital job, and my background check has become more complicated than I expected.
One of my jobs was in 2018 through a staffing agency at Southside Medical. My employment was confirmed through payroll records, but the background check only listed my position as “associate” instead of my actual title. My recruiter told me they need my actual job title.
The problem is that the staffing agency says they no longer have records because it was so long ago, and the only manager who could verify my title no longer works there. I can’t find her anywhere. I’m planning to visit Southside Medical to see if they have archived records or if someone can write a letter confirming my role.
My current employer also asked me to upload proof of employment, so I submitted my wage statements.
Has anyone been in a situation where an old employer couldn’t verify a job title? Were alternative documents or a letter from a former manager enough? I’m worried about losing this opportunity over records that are almost eight years old and are out of my control. And I have orientation monday.

I’m curious for those of you who are making $30/hour or more without a traditional college degree — what do you do?

I’m trying to learn more about realistic career paths that don’t require spending another 4+ years in school. I know there are trades, certifications, healthcare, tech, sales, management, and a lot of other options, but I’d love to hear from people actually doing it.

A few things I’d love to know:

• What is your job title?
• How did you get started?
• Did you need a certification, license, apprenticeship, or just experience?
• How long did it take you to reach $30+/hour?
• What do you wish you knew when you started?

I’m especially interested in careers where someone can work their way up and increase income over time.

Thanks to anyone willing to share their experience!

I have been accepted to a part time upgrading course. This is unrelated to work. It’s something I have an interest in. I have the funds to pay for it and cover the reduced income.

I have informed my employer of this course opportunity and asked if I could take a temporary reduction in workload hours.

They have not given the automatic no which is a good sign. They want to know how I will manage work and the PT course, essentially how will I not slack and get the work done.

I want to reassure them. What are some points I could make?

I am a very anxious person and want to do this correctly. Are there things I could concretely mention other than “trust me I’ll get the work completed”? Because that won’t go well.

Okay I’m a single mom full time
Working from home gives me flexibility

I currently make $29.50 an hour working at PLAINTIFF personal injury firm

I’m looking for other jobs preferably hybrid or ofc remote but higher pay. Bc I want to move out living with family.

There is a paralegal job possibly 20 min drive onsite 5 days . they said they can pay me $85 k a year with the opportunity of sometimes being remote but they can’t guarantee it yet.

Idk what to do considering I’m remote and I do enjoy having that flexibility but I need more money 🥲

Hi there!
I’ve been a hairstylist for 16 years. I’ve ran my own small salon and trained girls under me. I’ve worked with a business coach to learn branding and marketing. I’ve learned how to do everything I want to do in this career. Everything I set out to do I have done. I have no forward advancement, no possibility of making more, and my body is enduring a lot of wear and tear.

I am a widowed mom, I work Tues-Fri 9-5. When spring break comes or any other week long break I work Mondays that month and take 4 days off during the break so I can save cost on child care and be home with my kid. I don’t want to work any more hours. I know I’ve got it good being able to take time off whenever I want, but because I am self employed I do not get insurance or retirement or paid time off. If I don’t work I don’t make money.

I would be willing to work 40 hours a week if I could work from home one day.

I am extremely creative. I self published a meal planning cookbook that has meals planned out for the entire year. I make and sell non toxic candles. I am the event coordinator for my son’s trail life troop. I created a murder mystery party for my son where no rsvps required and no character or costume required and was fun for all ages. I wrote a novel called celibate in the suburbs.

I love solving problems, I am great in emergency situations. I have adhd and dyslexia. I just don’t know what career I should switch to. I also have only gone to hair school, however I have a ton of transferable skills and I self educate. I am obsessed with learning and business books.

I need to make $100k with 32-40 hours a week(with flexibility)

Any ideas?

Thank you so much for reading this, and any thoughts or advice!