Monday Moaning: Paid Work!
Last week was about how we sell ourselves to the highest bidders and pretty much never have enough or how we are working for that little pay we do get with fear of losing that little we do have. Work ethics have changed ever since that big crisis in the bank sector that effected all of us. It is not to say it will stay this way, though I would like to add we do get accustomed to situations as the generations grow up.
It is going on everywhere in the world where new generations get used to new rules or other general ideas that have been implemented throughout time. Whether we talk work or even religion we see people change and wanting different times because they see it could have been done in other ways. Once the people get enough of the exploiting we surely will rise once again.
But for now we just do as is said for the sake of having a job.
And you must be wondering where this is going again as last week was all about this crap. Just let me tell you it is only getting started as the story that is unfolding is even weirder.
The title can be read in two different ways. You ether get paid for work or as I will address in the next case you have to pay to be at work. Did your mouth just drop t the floor?
You read it right. Pay to have a job or be at work.
Now the job in this case is mailman or woman. So walking down the street delivering hand mail and these days’ small parcels. There is no weight limit that your own bike can hold, so it will be pushed to its limits until breaking down, bending wheels as the rims can’t hold the load. Grinding down your shoes with every mile you walk in wind, snow or rain.
This just get you some compensation after all the bike and shoes and pants are your own. They need washing and maintenance and thus the boss will pay you about 16 bucks a month. This so much is fair don’t you think? Still getting a shirt, that is the uniform or a coat for the wet and cold days may be included, you still need to wash it yourself. That would be one coat and 2 shirts.
Working 4 days a week would make it possible all thanks to the new mail and internet systems at work hand mail has gone down by what, 50%?
Bills are send through email as well or can be checked online. This is assuming each and every one even has internet. Go figure how it has become a part of our lives.
Going back to the mailman story.
This is a two part rant. As above how we assume we all have internet we also do so with smartphones and the worst thing is that there is the assumption we all have the latest model as well. Just this way of thinking coming from regular people might be considered okay. After all the phone has become a part of society a common good we all fiddle with day In an out. Having each year renewed with a new phone is a norm for the younger generations. They pretty much do not know any better anymore. (See how the first part came back here)
So despite the new generation finding it perfectly normal to walk around with the most expensive and newest of phones there is an old generation that is okay with an old phone and even a cheaper contract as they do not call so much or use less internet MB.
But the moment a boss assumes each and every employee has a new phone, to me falls in the category of harassment or stupidity. Not to mention that the few contracts for employees is only for a select few and of the older guard. Other youth are hired per hour from the agencies.
Back to paying to be at work.
My age is one that falls in between generations and I am appalled by what is happening.
Think of this.
Age 40, working 4 hours a day 4 days a week. Phone is an old windows phone.
Job prescription. Mailman.
Contract for phone is a simple 100 minutes call/text and a 500 MB. Can’t help it, since I hardly use the thing to begin with. Price 3 and half bucks a month.
Nothing special right. Though here comes the kicker.
New job requirements. Android version 5 or up or Iphone to install an app to scan parcels for delivery. With eyes on to the future also might become the person to collect the numbers of the water or gas meters and maybe become the neighbourhood watch. (2 hours max per neighbourhood with a 4 hours max per day). Contract with enough MB (1000 at the least).
That might become an issue. Though they did think of this, the company that is and it is even considered okay. They will pay you an 8 bucks a month compensation for the phone contract. If you do not have the required phone to install this app you can get a new contract at blabla dot com.
Restrictions are as told with the versions and no Windows phone allowed. If one is unable to comply the company will see if relocation for another job is available. We are still mailman right and sorting is done automatically for the majority of the mail and parcels. SO basically they are saying. Go with the program or get lost.
So care to do the math with me.
For now I am paying 3 and half bucks. I get an 8 bucks for compensation so a total of 11 and a half bucks could be spend. But my boss forces me to use a phone I do not want. One way of looking at that might be to have a second phone just for the job but that will only cost extra just like getting a new contract with a phone that easily get you to pay a 20 bucks at least.
In the end the calculations shows me that I need to pay at least an 8 bucks extra a week just to be able to do a job.
Sure the new generations is fine with this, they all have the newest model and biggest contract, but not that middle aged man/woman who doesn’t care about a phone.
This kind of intimidation, having to pay just to do a job is even seen as normal.
Does this mean I am losing the plot here, am I the crazy one who is not willing to pay to hold my job.
I have seen most of them give in and to be honest, I wonder why the company could not just make a scanner. I guess there is a new norm established that says we all have to bring our own tools to work.
Best Wishes
Ranting Crow
PS I am slowly getting used to the new situation, so I am hoping to be back like I used to be.
Ranting Crow 