Quit Complaining About Your Job

I am (almost) so over people that like to complain about their job. Everyone complains from time to time. Indeed, constructive complaints are occasionally necessary for positive change. The type of complainers that I refer to in this post are those afflicted with chronic complaining disease. They complain just for the sake of complaining.

There was this one lady that I used to work with that complained nonstop about her job. From the minute that she started working there, she complained. The things that she complained about were very trivial, and not really worth talking about. I had never met anyone in my life, who was that negative.  Each time that she opened her mouth, I felt like playing a sad song on an imaginary violin. 

Me and several other co-workers came to the conclusion that there was something seriously wrong this woman. If you ever tried to engage her in conversation, she would try to shift the discussion into a litany of complaints. Also, she wouldn't ever let anyone get a word in edgewise. She was the type of person that would try to get you to gossip about others, and that's not really my cup of tea. I started to think that she was on some mind altering substance, which caused her lips to open and shut 1000 times per minute. Most people, in the know, avoided her because of the incessant bitching and whining about nothing.

So, when I found out that she quit (without proper notice), I was so fucking relieved. Everyone wonders what the hell took her so long to come to the realization that the job was not for her. She knew exactly what she was getting herself into when she was hired. It brings me to the point of this blog post: Why do people complain so much about their job?

The national unemployment rate is a little below 8%, meaning that millions of people in the United States are without gainful employment. This figure doesn't take into account that there are people that are underemployed. It also doesn't factor in the people living in numerous cities around the country, where it is even more difficult to find work. Factor in other demographics, such as age, race, ethnicity, disability and the unemployment figure increases dramatically.

Therefore, a job, albeit fantastic or craptastic, is a blessing. I have worked for most of my adult life, from the time that I was an adolescent. However, there was a point a few years ago, when I was unemployed. I was broke and wished that I had two nickels to rub together. When I was lucky enough to get this job that I currently have, I got on my knees and thanked God. It is not a great paying job, but at least I get along well with most of my colleagues and I receive a regular paycheck and benefits.

I don't know whether it is a generation X thing or a generation y thing, but in my travels I have noticed that many younger people moan and gripe ad nauseum. It seems to me that they lack patience and have a bizarre sense of entitlement. It is almost like some American youth behave like spoiled brats. The funny thing is that employers don't owe employees anything, other than what the employee has earned.

As a matter of fact, employers take on risk in hiring employees. Companies spend money to train employees, pay their benefits and workmen's compensation, etc. An employee could end up costing a company more money than he or she brings in. For example, an employee could cost a company lost business and goodwill through incompetence, poor impressions, or lack of professionalism. Some employees have habits that create unnecessary liability and legal fees for companies. If anything, employees should be appreciative of the fact that their employer was willing to take a chance on them.

Now I realize that working for someone else is mostly challenging. Sometimes I get frustrated with my job, but I try to keep things in the proper prospective rather than focusing on negativity. If it weren't for the fact that I have goals, and greater plans for my life, I would have left my job long ago. I am grateful for my job, but it is really just a means to an end. I don't plan on doing that type of work forever, but I am hanging with it for the time being.

When I start feeling frustrated with my job, I compare myself to others less fortunate. I think about the families that are destitute and homeless because of unemployment. I think about the people working in foreign countries at "sweat shops" for low wages, in extremely poor conditions. I remind myself that there are Americans that don't have medical insurance coverage and the fact that I do have medical insurance coverage. That's enough to ground me in reality, whenever someone pisses me off at work.

So, if you don't like your job, then maybe you should do something about it. Complaining won't solve your problems. Someone said that the definition of insanity is doing the same things and expecting different results. Maybe it is time for you to move on to something else. Do something to improve your skill set, so that you won't have to work at a dead end job. If you don't like the people that you work with, transfer out to a different department or find another job.

To anyone out there in management who may be reading this, you need to take a long hard look at the complainers in your organization. They are time wasters and energy suckers. They cost companies money, by disrupting the other employees' focus on their jobs, thus reducing productivity. The negativity that they spread may weaken employee morale, and spread like a contagious disease. Do your organization a favor and assess the true value of a chronic complainer within your organization. Is it really worth it to have someone like this around?

Now back to the chronic complainers. Only you know your situation. Unless you have signed an employment contract, you are probably not bound to work for your employer. Therefore, no one is forcing you to continue working for the company. Most employees whom aren't bound by contractual obligation, are employees "at will", meaning that their work relationship can be dissolved at anytime, without notice. Your company can fire you, and you can fire your company.

I have been so miserable on jobs, that I walked off without notice. Yeah, it was not honorable and very risky, but I did it. I took the position that I would rather be free of misery than, to make myself sick every day. I am not telling anyone to quit their job abruptly, without notice. You should really do the responsible thing and give your employer at least two weeks notice . Also, have a Plan B and another job lined up before leaving your present employer.

Hey if you don't want to do the job, then there are probably 1,000 other people vying for your position. Most of them have more pressing issues than worrying about trivial matters on a job. Better yet: Start your own company and then you will experience the legal and financial pitfalls of running a business. That's when the real bitching will begin. Enough said. 


Related posts:

To Whine or Not to Whine

Never Leave Your Job Because of A Few Assholes

Someone May Be Holding A Grudge Against You And You Don't Even Know It

Why We Should Not Be Loyal To Employers


© Copyright 2013 Susan Broadbelt

www.thewhimsicalmusingsofsusan.com