Pay vs. Happiness

itri writes "A co-worker recently sent me and article about job burnout. Although it's a year old, the points seemed to resonate well with me. The nutshell of the article is that job burnout is caused by lack of the sense of accomplishment, working for a narcissistic boss, and a conflict between the employers and employee's values. Is it really better working for a company that cares about your satisfaction? Are there any companies like that and (more importantly) are they hiring?"

Comments

well said companies do not care ...

[dindi]

O.K. some care so you do not die in some nasty thing they caused and then thay have to pay your family a fortune ...

Big companies will replace anyone in a snap
Big companies will put you away in a snap
Big companies just want to make more $$ and are ran by shareholders who do not give a crap about YOU.

Small companies cannot afford to care about you many times, and as soon as they grow they care less and less ...

So I am better broke sometimes run my small businesses, do some this-and-that here-and-there and be happy that I do not rely on a company of any size...

Now you might think that I am some failure being fired from somewhere, but nop ... I worked at many places, smaller bigger and never got fired but always burned out and left by myself

OK I got fired once on the first week from my 2nd workplace, but that guy who I ended up holding to the wall by his neck shouting at him was there for a much longer time :) - and it was a mistake but I do not take idiots too well when I am working....

I heard a big soda company (better do not name them) firing trusted, respected employees just days before bonuses, and in cases just before retirement just to save a few $$ and to put people on the street who will retire in powerty ....
that is how comapnies care ....

So in other words I would go for the money then quit before it is too late, or would go for a job that is pleasant and bearable - at the end you spend 8hours a day there (and 1-2 hours commuting)...

I mean your job is half your life. If it sucks your life sucks, and my life should not suck for money, I better be poor and with a smile on my face

Re:Its a matter of perspective

[bergeron76]

I predict you will be unemployed within a couple of years.

The Business world is NOT akin to the IT world. IT is an operations device. I really hate to break it to you, but IT people make poor businessmen. IT guys put little value on the seemingly 'insignificant' things: appearance, hygiene, etc. The reality is that in the real world, those things are be critically important - albeit from a different viewpoint. In the world of sales and marketing (highly critical for any business), your appearance makes or breaks your deals. IT guys love to think they are all-important and that they get paid the 'big bucks' because they have tremendous power and because they control the corporate information infrastructure. Yet, IT guys are incorrect in this thinking. Sales guys typically make about 30% more than you. You _are_ a PIMP for making $65k a year - but don't become too self-important. The sales guys are making between $85k and $120k a year.

I'm not saying this applies to every company, but I can guarantee you that if your CEO shows up at Noon, dresses like a high-schooler and convinces you that "the internet means we don't have to adhere to the 'normal' business world" - his business will fail.

And as a further note, if he replies to a Slashdot post, his/your business has already failed - you just don't know it yet. Any CEO/Executive that has time to reply (reading is ok) to trivial posts such as this one, is failing their role in his/her company. Being an Executive is a 24/7 job, and not easily condusive to "browsing the web".

Having said all that, I completely agree that being happy at a job is very important; however, in this [US] economy I would focus more on longevity; not how cool my boss or his/her thinking is.