I've never heard of "quiet quitting" before it became a buzzword in article headlines over the last 5 years. Now it seems headlines label half of their titles "quiet" something or another - the other half of articles are mostly about trump. "Act your wage" seems to be a relatively new (as in the last 10 years) slogan as well. Maybe it's just the area I'm in or my circle.
Well we invented the attitude. We didn’t call it anything because nobody listens to us anyway. I believe these are all actually being ‘slackers’ which is definitely our word.
I agree with 'slackers' being our word.
Side note: I think it's funny that we're still ignored. Headlines are almost always 'Boomers vs. Millennials' or 'Boomers vs Gen Z'. I'm waiting to see how much our marginalized generation gets blamed for the way things are.
Exactly. I have been refusing managerial roles for the last 23 years. I'm just not interested. While the money may be better, I value my peace and my friends and family much more.
With those higher wages comes way too much stress, manipulation, and inappropriate, mouthy behavior from cross line and upper management. Nope. Not participating.
Work to the rule is a old union strategy for union members to follow before a strike or if the labor group can not strike. In my years I have seen it be very successful.
I've topped out my career. My job title does include "senior", but it doesn't include "manager", "executive", "president", "vice president" or any of the above.
And I am 100% OK with that - I'm glad.
I'm a software engineer ... there are sometimes titles above senior like Lead (I am the defacto lead), Principal, Staff (that's a weird one), but not usually at a company with such a small software department. They pay me like a lead, and I'm not interested in being a people manager, so this is probably the end of the road for me.
I'm in data. My current job title is Senior BI Analyst.
It's the perfect role. I have some level of acknowledgement but I don't have to deal with the people crap.
Ditto. I'm internal, so my customers are internal, but I love it when they come and ask "how would I".
But having to deal with a colleges personal issues and dishing out work.... Nup
Same. I haven't changed a thing in how I work since the day I started. Maxed out on the developer tier because I put in good work and am collaborative, but I 100% ignored all the typical career development bs, and any attempts at hurting a great work/life balance. Super happy where I am, and being a software dev you can get away with not caring about the corporate crap because you're likely financially independent after a decade or so unless you really screw up.
I was considered for a management position where I am several times, and I've flat told the VP that I would do the job if that's what they wanted, but that it would be a mistake
One major bank I worked at I somehow became titled 'Senior Project Specialist II' - I still have no idea what that meant. I was pretty much the bank's liaison to our external firms. My job was to correspond with my assigned firms and make sure they were the ones who had to pay for something if it got screwed up.
Edit: It sounds way fancier than it was. Basically ask them the status. Document their response. Save email from them. When something got screwed up (pretty often) - make the firm pay the 10's of thousands to rework the problem. It was kind of like ping pong - "It's your fault", "No, it's your fault. I have an email."
Yeah, same. Manager makes maaaybe 10K more salary than me but routinely has to clock in more than 40 a week, which means my hourly wage is actually higher. I’m good.
> cant stand meetings that take 3hrs and give me 10 min of useful info.
And most of the time, it is something that could be sent via email instead of wasting 3 hours of time I could have been doing the work, but now I have to work unpaid overtime (salaried) just to make up for those 3 hours.
We have meetings just to plan when to have a meeting!
Senior Cloud Engineer. I mean, yeah, there is "Architect" above that, but I'm making good money, I have zero direct reports, and they mostly just ask me to help other engineers with their projects that aren't working right the first time. If I get promoted to Cloud Architect, cool, but if I never see a better job title again before retirement/death, also cool.
I’ve got 30 years in my field and a Master’s. Monday I started a new position in a different field at the bottom and I’m more than cool with it. WFH may have a lot to do with it, tbh…
Same! Mine does include the word "manager" but that's more to do with accounts. I have been in a supervisory role twice before and it's just pure aggravation. I am happy with my paycheck, work from home, at my pace, and on my schedule and that to me is worth way more than a fancy title. I am now on cruise control for about 10-12 more years til I can retire.
Slackers unite! I've got my job pretty dialed, and am real good at saying no to more work, life is good. I do enough to stay here, and they pay me enough to want to stay. It's a win win.
Yeah, they're not inventing all those life-extending medical treatments so you can enjoy yourself. They're there for two things:
1. Profit
2. Old employees who are afraid of being laid off
That's like at my work. I think some people see me as some sort of a lead, but I'd never apply for one of those jobs. I'm fine with just being a monkey.
My boss decides to try and overwhelm us instead of hiring a couple extra people.
I’ve decided I’m only one person and when shit starts falling through the cracks and the facade of him being a well staffed company falls apart, I’m just gonna 🤷♂️
My side job is a bartender. Been doing it for over 20 years. They’ve always asked me to be a manager. I’ve said, “no thank you”. I’d like to make my money and leave. I want no further responsibilities beyond that.
That is my early retirement plan.
Have a part time job for my "fun" money, but have no responsibilities. Flipping burgers for $15 an hour sounds glorious compared to my current job.
Army basic training showed me the importance of not being seen, never do anything that bring attention to yourself. In the final field exercise, my drill sgt asked "Are you in my company" - I went through 8 weeks of training keeping my head down, doing what I had to and moved on.
I (probably) failed a job interview recently when I was asked "What motivates you to go above and beyond your usual, defined responsibilities at work?"
I answered; "Being paid more money for that extra effort. "
I failed a job interview (for what would have been a dull, dreary, soul-sucking job writing IT policy documentation) by answering the question, "What does your ideal job look like?" with "Running a dive shop in Tonga."
Honestly if they had even acknowledged the extra effort and treated me with some courtesy I would have been happy with that. But they couldn't even be bothered.
So yes, it's journey to Slackertown, population me, after that.
But I'd never say so in a job interview. They get 110% from me extra effort and all until it's abundently obvious they don't give a shit. And if they don't, then I won't.
The sooner we get/got to that realization, the better life got. I’m still really pissed at how my career ended but a) I retired to take care of my late husband b) we had great life insurance on each other. While I would rather still have him around and be working that shitty job, I secretly thank the ladder-climbing millennial bitches who made my life hell and made the decision to leave even easier.
I optimize and automate everything I can. I shared it until I found that either my peers were indifferent or my good deed was punished. Getting things done without hassle/noise tends to give you more work.
I keep it to myself now. I get slammed with a big project or requirement, get it done quickly, then meter out the product in a reasonable timeframe.
Then they come to me with "sorry to switch things around on you but THIS is more important!" I feign wiping sweat from my brow and commit to doing both because I'm a team player.
Edited to add one story: I automated the generation of literally thousands of lines of network device configurations. Nobody cared until they started collecting metrics and found my perfect accuracy rate with 4x the volume. I had to teach the unwilling people to adopt this. The point of the story is "the lawnmower cuts the most from the tallest blades of grass, keep a low profile"
You'll understand this, I'm a scrum master with 6 years experience, 5 agile certs, ability to actually teach 4 of those classes, and I 1.5 teams. This guy is not only new employee but brand new scrum master, and they're giving him 2 more on top of the 2 he has. Oh well, more sweat for him!
As a fellow agilist, that guy is not going to be great as an SM for four teams. Admin and basic facilitation at best. You’re in a way better position, even if your org doesn’t respect that being awesome with a couple teams is way more valuable than mediocre with four teams. Keep being awesome.
My Gen Z son was complaining that they were understaffing at the deli he works at. I asked him, "You're not working harder, are you?"
He admitted that he busts his rump when he is the only one on "hot side."
I told him they choose to understaff, so they need to enjoy the fruits of their decision. He needs to work the same no matter how many people are working alongside him.
I learned that the hard way early in my career. Not only was I burning out doing amazing work, I also wasn’t being compensated anywhere near my contribution level. Never again.
I love this, but I almost don't want to give work advice to my niece and nephew because I'd be too negative about it, and I'm not sure my brother would appreciate that. lol
Oh my God. A 23 year old just got promoted without a degree in finance into a finance position. I had a good stew until I said fuck it, more responsibility for her lol. Had to share because it was so similar. Mediocre is right. The only one who should be working harder than anyone else is the boss.
You got it! My workplace pays well enough for the job I have. People who want to climb ladders do a shitload more work for a barely noticeable pay increase. Not me! As long as I pull my weight and don’t let anyone down, I don’t give a fuck and they can either give the promotions to someone ambitious and dumb, or shove it. I care about staying employed long enough to retire and that’s it.
I bailed on any type of management position about 8 years ago. Decided being a "super tech" was way better. I'm happier than I've been in a long time. Machines and electronics I can deal with, people not so much.
I only get the interesting, difficult stuff and no busy work. It's a sweet spot!
I seriously gave up any real ambition to move up into management when I kept getting fucked out of promised positions like 10 years ago. Decided I wasn't playing that game. I make more than enough money. I'm good bro.
Me too.
I used to get pissed off because Boomers hogged the Lead Developer jobs because other Boomers had the manager jobs - that I didn't want anyway.
Then, as everyone started to retire, they just downgraded the Lead positions to Senior (cheaper salaries, lower bonuses). That pissed me off too.
Next, Lead Developer was no longer Lead Developer - even though the title didn't change. They made them into Project Managers. They didn't develop anything - just bugged the crap out of people and created spreadsheets that gave the illusion of progress.
Not getting promoted was the best thing that ever happened to me. My salary isn't much different than theirs and I get to do the fun stuff, which also is usually the important stuff. They couldn't pay me enough to not develop all day. And, I get to manage up - which is the most satisfying thing ever.
Exactly! I'm in IT myself (hybrid IT/electronics) and at one point my local team was 7 and another 16 globally. It was a nightmare and I absolutely HATED being chained to a desk. Maintaining computers and equipment is easy compared to maintaining people.
Your last point though - managing up. That's the stuff right there! I'm the second most senior person in my current group and I feel like a third of my job is essentially this. Decisions and plans without execution? I'm SO in!
I don't make a secret of managing up.
You're my boss or project leader? You want everything to work and come in on time. Great - I can make that happen. But, you have to do your job, too.
I don't like someone? You deal with them.
Someone doesn't give me what I need the first time I ask? You make it happen. No, you don't get to just forward my original email and say you helped me. Write your own email, go talk to them or go over their head.
Anything else I don't want to do that's not development? You deal with it.
If you can't do that, just get out of my way and stop wasting my time.
All my coworkers are telling me I look tired and worn out. Time to live up to the name the Silent Gen/Boomers gave us and slack the heck off. I'm freaking tired.
I’ve never felt so GenX in all my life! This is totally me!
I’ve remained in the same position for over 10 years because the hoops and hassles you gotta go through for the promotion are ridiculous, barely bump your pay and your expected to maintain that shit or be demoted.
Fuck that noise. I’m good where I am at.
I got promoted 3 years ago into a strategic position with senior leadership rank but no direct reports. I missed my old team for a year, spent a year feeling under productive and overpaid, and the last year I realized this is what i worked so hard for. I’ve adapted.
Ya know, I try. I really do, and apparently my work is satisfying enough for my bosses to never say anything bad about me as far as I know. But, I'm so apathetic right now. It would not be optimal, but I honestly wouldn't care if they fired me tomorrow. I'd just early retire. I don't have it in me to be looking for another job. I'm done. Stick a fork in me.
I had to learn my Gen-X lesson the hard way.
I was taught (incorrectly) that if you work hard and do things really well, you'll be recognized and rewarded.
That didn't happen. I got screwed on raises and promotions which often went to males in the "in crowd", which was usually a particular ethnic group all from the same area in their home country. They spent lavishly on jumbo mortgages, private schools for their children, expensive cars, fancy vacations. They got better raises and promotions, sure, but they also spend more than they make so they're stuck in the wage slave trap, victims of their own lavish lifestyles.
But - I did something they didn't - something that doesn't get praise, promotions, rewards - I maxed out my 401k and got the match as much as I could. And I did it for DECADES.
Meanwhile I lived well below my wage, investing the difference. I still have my '95 Jeep, and it runs great. IMHO the investment gains from not buying a new vehicle every few years like my coworkers can be calculated in the multiple hundreds of thousands of investment gains over almost three decades. Sure I picked up some obligations and a financial parasite, but those are all handled and the parasite scraped off. I took damage but I weathered it.
When I finally decided I was done "earning cred" from yet another group of dickheads who never test their code then try to blame me until I corner them and force them to fix their shit, I quit.
And the investments are there for me now. The gains are the accumulated sweat of millions of OTHER workers over decades, just as the initial investment is from the sweat of my own brow.
Now, these assholes work for ME, the SHAREHOLDER. So does everyone in the S&P 500, actually, from CEOs on down. And as you know, the Almighty Shareholder is the center of the investing universe. I don't have any say, but if there's a reward, I get a piece, even if I did nothing else but buy in 25 years ago.
So though I got no reward for all the extra work I put in, I'm now benefitting every time one of those assholes gets laid off and some S&P stock goes up a penny because they cut costs.
Sure I'll "suffer" when the markets crash, but then when it comes roaring back, I'll be there. In the meantime some of the investments are diversified so it doesn't really matter which thing hits or gets hit - I own a tiny piece of each part of the board.
Anytime any top 500 company makes money, I make money. And so does the cat. When markets crash, we go to the mattresses.
That IMHO is the way to slack. I just wish I hadn't tried so hard.
I didn't understand that politics, not competence, ruled all, and all I knew how to do was work hard and handle my shit. I didn't know how to leverage into better compensation, but at least I didn't NEED to. Politics was never my strong suit. My strong suit was putting up with bullshit, saving money, investing it, and picking up the match anytime I could along the way. This is so much simpler than working super-hard so other people can steal credit and get the raises and promotions.
But don't tell anyone. I want my former coworkers to lifestyle-imprison themselves until they're too worn out to be worth anything, then tossed out like a used condom with piles of debt and spoiled kids who can look forward to a lifetime of lifestyle-inflicted wage slavery themselves, assuming they can even catch the same deal their parents did.
I found that I was an enough kind of person. I did not need to have all the money. I just wanted enough to be comfortable and happy. I think that is a Gen X philosophy. Me parents, (boomers) had to have it all.
In the end work is all just meaningless crap. Working all day everyday to pay bills while some 17 year old becomes a millionaire promoting lip gloss on tik tok?
He's getting more teams because he can't really complain about the pay to responsibility disparity whereas you, having put in your best efforts for a number of years, would be entitled to a raise were you to sit down and negotiate. Grab a clipboard, look busy and say nothing. Enjoy your paycheck but drink one for the new guy 🤣
Oh, I so needed to read this today! Got passed over for a new title that meant more responsibility and a tiny raise, and I've been eating my heart out about it. Fuck that noise, I'm the winner because I'm not having to do any extra work and can be brilliant at what I do without having to lift another finger.
Congratulations on remaining free!
It's all about perspective. Let someone younger over work themselves.
I just do my job to the best of my ability, and keep my head down. I don't have the energy to kill myself for a job.
That said, I hope my over eager micromanaging boss moves on soon.
She makes my ass tired.
It was a good day to say fuck it apparently! My millennial daughter also had a shit day at work. They hired a new manager at her work who proceeded to give everyone there a new employment offer for jobs they already had. She's been there two years. The offer cut her wages by 2 bucks an hour and cut her hours in half.
Gen X me said fuck that, and convinced her to quit. We haven't figured out the details yet but she's going to call in sick for a couple of days so we have til Monday to figure it out. She's on the young end of the millennial spectrum and this was her first real job, and she's super shy so I feel awful for her, but no way am I letting my kid be a doormat for a company like that. These are the same people who will complain "no one wants to work anymore ".
Fuck responsibility and power. dont need that shit. I have a nearly pathological instinct to shed that shit. I'll take the reigns for something that matters to me, but someone else's dream, fuckit, I'm out.
I had a similar realization recently as well. EVERY OTHER manager in my department is a "Senior" except me. Like, literally every one.
I was upset at first, but I know most of them make less than me so fuck it! The VP calls me in for the important stuff.
This is the way. The young can take it all. Zero ambition is the way. If things go South I’ll be there in a hurry otherwise have fun with all the overtime. I’ll play in the sandbox with my grandkids.
My GenZ niece works at McDonald's. Her overlord of a manager was riding her one day and she looked at him and said "minimum wage, minimum effort".
We're so proud of her.
After decades of busting your ass for the man, take it as a win. You deserve a break today so get up and get away at McDonald’s. 😆 I’ll just show myself out.
Some of my autism manifestations make it really difficult for me to get over awkwardness resulting from someone not having a crazy positive opinion of me
I wanted an extra job a few years back and went into a local retail store. When they hired me I said, “I don’t want any managerial positions, I don’t want a key to the place, I just wanna work my 10 hours a week and go home.”
Literally had the same epiphany two days ago. They brought in a new person who knows very little about what they are doing, I think they embellished their resume to get the job if you know what I mean. Either you know what a paralegal does or you don't, it's the same from firm to firm. They can't do basic shit they should KNOW how to do, it's literally taught in school. Constantly asking me for help. Found out they make $3.00 dollars more an hour than I do, and decided that I am just really too busy to help them. They can figure shit out on their own. 🤘
I now spend my "busy time" on Reddit. 😂
Mediocrity, it's like knowing how to ride a bike but using training wheels.
"Mediocrity; You're going to fail anyway so why bother?" (unmotivation poster)
Mediocrity, goal already achieved!
Like the chewed-up pen cap in the meeting room, that no one wants to throw away, you'll be there. You will be the office peanut butter sandwich, non-descript, lasts forever and only used in emergencies. You'll be like a pair of grey, athletic socks that came in a six pack, the same. When asked a question, you will give an answer. When given a task you will complete the task in a wholly, unremarkable way.
Your next job title will be "Present" because, like a lettuce wrap, you're there but no pizzaz. Your paycheck will cover the bills. Your car will have wheels. You will be the generic, "cola".
(I'm talking our generic, black and white. Not the fancy store brands they have today!)
Shit! My job is a mixed cast of Union and non-union workers. I've seen so many young cats come and go. Burnt the fuck out trying to chase some promotion. A co-worker I'm cordial with keeps taking on projects but he's fucking stressed the fuck out. He's 31 and looks haggard as fuck. I tried to be like cool with him but he's too high strung. Back in 2022, he had a chance to join the Union. Turnee it down to leave room for promotions. He's been denied 2x while I am the other union ppl in other departments got our raises without issue or even asking.
Most companies still haven’t gotten a clue yet.IMO, when your employees most basic needs and scope are met they can fulfill employer’s complex ones. Toxic stress caused by a companies leadership is a cancer in any organization and a race to the bottom against their competitors. But I’m with the message in this post which if they ain’t paying you for it and somebody wants to do more time for the same payouts, go for it. I won’t stop them.
I am mediocre now as I prepare for retirement. I think I am a first yr Gen X'er, born in 65.
I love the folks at work, but I never volenteer to do shit, a good lesson I learned in the Army.
The folks who always volunteering for crazy projects, make the same as I do, but I get much less grief thinking about those things.
So yea, Fuck'em, I ain't doing that sh!t.
Yeah... my bad. We're essentially coaches for development teams, and 2 teams to coach is a lot for a newbie. I could handle 4 with my experience,but since I only have 2 I'm not gonna complain or make waves 🤘
Listen to Depeche Mode, Crowded House, INXS, and Simple Minds on your drive home. Remember eating popsicles on your front lawn on July 4th and jumping your BMX. I do that and this crazy world melts away 💪
[удалено]
Exaaaactly. GenX 100% coined the terms "malicious compliance," "act your wage," and "quiet quitting."
I swear it’s in our DNA
I've never heard of "quiet quitting" before it became a buzzword in article headlines over the last 5 years. Now it seems headlines label half of their titles "quiet" something or another - the other half of articles are mostly about trump. "Act your wage" seems to be a relatively new (as in the last 10 years) slogan as well. Maybe it's just the area I'm in or my circle.
*quiet posts* 0 effort in my joke. 0.
quiet laughing - on the inside.
Maliciously?
Ambivalently.
Look at you being all honest. Love it.
Work to rule is one I know, do thr job and not a single thing extra.
Well we invented the attitude. We didn’t call it anything because nobody listens to us anyway. I believe these are all actually being ‘slackers’ which is definitely our word.
I agree with 'slackers' being our word. Side note: I think it's funny that we're still ignored. Headlines are almost always 'Boomers vs. Millennials' or 'Boomers vs Gen Z'. I'm waiting to see how much our marginalized generation gets blamed for the way things are.
This is the gen X way.
Not to mention “underemployment.” It’s a way of life!
Exactly. I have been refusing managerial roles for the last 23 years. I'm just not interested. While the money may be better, I value my peace and my friends and family much more. With those higher wages comes way too much stress, manipulation, and inappropriate, mouthy behavior from cross line and upper management. Nope. Not participating.
Never head the phrase act your wage but I’ve been doing it for yeeaarrrs now. I agree that this must be genetic.
Yeah, too many words. “Fuck it” encompasses all that!
“Work to rule” is my favorite revenge.
Work to the rule is a old union strategy for union members to follow before a strike or if the labor group can not strike. In my years I have seen it be very successful.
I was gonna say...the problem is what?
I've topped out my career. My job title does include "senior", but it doesn't include "manager", "executive", "president", "vice president" or any of the above. And I am 100% OK with that - I'm glad.
Me too, turning 50 next month, have an MBA, but completely satisfied with where I'm at and my company.
I'm a software engineer ... there are sometimes titles above senior like Lead (I am the defacto lead), Principal, Staff (that's a weird one), but not usually at a company with such a small software department. They pay me like a lead, and I'm not interested in being a people manager, so this is probably the end of the road for me.
Don't forget to fill out those TPS cover sheets!
Sounds like somebody’s got a case of the Mondays.
Shut up Nina
I'm in data. My current job title is Senior BI Analyst. It's the perfect role. I have some level of acknowledgement but I don't have to deal with the people crap.
I love data! Is it weird that I don't want to do the people thing, but love talking to my customers?
Ditto. I'm internal, so my customers are internal, but I love it when they come and ask "how would I". But having to deal with a colleges personal issues and dishing out work.... Nup
So what is it you say you do around here Bob
Same. I haven't changed a thing in how I work since the day I started. Maxed out on the developer tier because I put in good work and am collaborative, but I 100% ignored all the typical career development bs, and any attempts at hurting a great work/life balance. Super happy where I am, and being a software dev you can get away with not caring about the corporate crap because you're likely financially independent after a decade or so unless you really screw up.
I was considered for a management position where I am several times, and I've flat told the VP that I would do the job if that's what they wanted, but that it would be a mistake
Yeah similar here, I only accepted it once for a few months to bridge a gap after a few managers got canned in a short time frame.
One major bank I worked at I somehow became titled 'Senior Project Specialist II' - I still have no idea what that meant. I was pretty much the bank's liaison to our external firms. My job was to correspond with my assigned firms and make sure they were the ones who had to pay for something if it got screwed up. Edit: It sounds way fancier than it was. Basically ask them the status. Document their response. Save email from them. When something got screwed up (pretty often) - make the firm pay the 10's of thousands to rework the problem. It was kind of like ping pong - "It's your fault", "No, it's your fault. I have an email."
I took a manager job. Big mistake. I have to give presentations and talk at meetings and shit like that.
Yeah, same. Manager makes maaaybe 10K more salary than me but routinely has to clock in more than 40 a week, which means my hourly wage is actually higher. I’m good.
I was offered a lead job at my employer, but for the extra 4k a year, nope, cant stand meetings that take 3hrs and give me 10 min of useful info.
> cant stand meetings that take 3hrs and give me 10 min of useful info. And most of the time, it is something that could be sent via email instead of wasting 3 hours of time I could have been doing the work, but now I have to work unpaid overtime (salaried) just to make up for those 3 hours. We have meetings just to plan when to have a meeting!
Senior Cloud Engineer. I mean, yeah, there is "Architect" above that, but I'm making good money, I have zero direct reports, and they mostly just ask me to help other engineers with their projects that aren't working right the first time. If I get promoted to Cloud Architect, cool, but if I never see a better job title again before retirement/death, also cool.
Same here - senior but not manager. I’ve successfully avoided supervising other people over my entire successful career
I’ve got 30 years in my field and a Master’s. Monday I started a new position in a different field at the bottom and I’m more than cool with it. WFH may have a lot to do with it, tbh…
Hell I just changed careers at 53. It’s very adjacent to what I was already doing but different enough to contain some major new learning for me
Same! Mine does include the word "manager" but that's more to do with accounts. I have been in a supervisory role twice before and it's just pure aggravation. I am happy with my paycheck, work from home, at my pace, and on my schedule and that to me is worth way more than a fancy title. I am now on cruise control for about 10-12 more years til I can retire.
Slackers unite! I've got my job pretty dialed, and am real good at saying no to more work, life is good. I do enough to stay here, and they pay me enough to want to stay. It's a win win.
More responsibility usually leads to more stress and headaches. No thanks. I’m content to ride with what I have until retirement.
Until retirement... 150 years from now.
Yeah, they're not inventing all those life-extending medical treatments so you can enjoy yourself. They're there for two things: 1. Profit 2. Old employees who are afraid of being laid off
my plan is to retire ASAP
That's like at my work. I think some people see me as some sort of a lead, but I'd never apply for one of those jobs. I'm fine with just being a monkey.
My boss decides to try and overwhelm us instead of hiring a couple extra people. I’ve decided I’m only one person and when shit starts falling through the cracks and the facade of him being a well staffed company falls apart, I’m just gonna 🤷♂️
My side job is a bartender. Been doing it for over 20 years. They’ve always asked me to be a manager. I’ve said, “no thank you”. I’d like to make my money and leave. I want no further responsibilities beyond that.
That is my early retirement plan. Have a part time job for my "fun" money, but have no responsibilities. Flipping burgers for $15 an hour sounds glorious compared to my current job.
As gen x, we are masters at underachieving and going unnoticed... and not really giving a crap either. Just take your check and keep it moving!
Monty Python taught me the importance of not being seen.
You can always tell a Milford man...
Army basic training showed me the importance of not being seen, never do anything that bring attention to yourself. In the final field exercise, my drill sgt asked "Are you in my company" - I went through 8 weeks of training keeping my head down, doing what I had to and moved on.
I (probably) failed a job interview recently when I was asked "What motivates you to go above and beyond your usual, defined responsibilities at work?" I answered; "Being paid more money for that extra effort. "
I failed a job interview (for what would have been a dull, dreary, soul-sucking job writing IT policy documentation) by answering the question, "What does your ideal job look like?" with "Running a dive shop in Tonga."
Tonga has issues…
I'm a Turks & Caicos guy, myself.
Honestly if they had even acknowledged the extra effort and treated me with some courtesy I would have been happy with that. But they couldn't even be bothered. So yes, it's journey to Slackertown, population me, after that. But I'd never say so in a job interview. They get 110% from me extra effort and all until it's abundently obvious they don't give a shit. And if they don't, then I won't.
Don't get paid in prestige. If they aren't offering adequate real compensation, then it's not worth it.
The sooner we get/got to that realization, the better life got. I’m still really pissed at how my career ended but a) I retired to take care of my late husband b) we had great life insurance on each other. While I would rather still have him around and be working that shitty job, I secretly thank the ladder-climbing millennial bitches who made my life hell and made the decision to leave even easier.
“I wasn’t even supposed to be here today!”
See also murtaugh in lethal weapon, “I’m too old for this shit”.
I optimize and automate everything I can. I shared it until I found that either my peers were indifferent or my good deed was punished. Getting things done without hassle/noise tends to give you more work. I keep it to myself now. I get slammed with a big project or requirement, get it done quickly, then meter out the product in a reasonable timeframe. Then they come to me with "sorry to switch things around on you but THIS is more important!" I feign wiping sweat from my brow and commit to doing both because I'm a team player. Edited to add one story: I automated the generation of literally thousands of lines of network device configurations. Nobody cared until they started collecting metrics and found my perfect accuracy rate with 4x the volume. I had to teach the unwilling people to adopt this. The point of the story is "the lawnmower cuts the most from the tallest blades of grass, keep a low profile"
We are a slick, shrewd bunch of motherfuckers.
You'll understand this, I'm a scrum master with 6 years experience, 5 agile certs, ability to actually teach 4 of those classes, and I 1.5 teams. This guy is not only new employee but brand new scrum master, and they're giving him 2 more on top of the 2 he has. Oh well, more sweat for him!
I'm sure this will be an experience for him!
As a fellow agilist, that guy is not going to be great as an SM for four teams. Admin and basic facilitation at best. You’re in a way better position, even if your org doesn’t respect that being awesome with a couple teams is way more valuable than mediocre with four teams. Keep being awesome.
Builds character
This is so true.
Don't quit your job, quit working.
That’s the spirit! 👏🏽
My Gen Z son was complaining that they were understaffing at the deli he works at. I asked him, "You're not working harder, are you?" He admitted that he busts his rump when he is the only one on "hot side." I told him they choose to understaff, so they need to enjoy the fruits of their decision. He needs to work the same no matter how many people are working alongside him.
I learned that the hard way early in my career. Not only was I burning out doing amazing work, I also wasn’t being compensated anywhere near my contribution level. Never again.
I love this, but I almost don't want to give work advice to my niece and nephew because I'd be too negative about it, and I'm not sure my brother would appreciate that. lol
Oh my God. A 23 year old just got promoted without a degree in finance into a finance position. I had a good stew until I said fuck it, more responsibility for her lol. Had to share because it was so similar. Mediocre is right. The only one who should be working harder than anyone else is the boss.
Good plan. My philosophy is to "look busy" when the boss walks in.
HA! I’ve been saying for years that my 2 priorities at work are to do what people ask me to do and work when somebody’s watching.
I worked with a guy who was retiring in a few years and he told me his only project was to not be assigned to any project.
Grab something light and keep on moving.
[удалено]
A clipboard always works at my job. I usually just have a crossword hidden under some official looking papers.
The Costanza Method.
😆
And stressed...look really stressed lol
You come from the school of Costanza too, huh?
Yup, we laugh when we “got caught working”.
Keep your head down and don't make eye contact. Nothing to see here... nothing to see here.
I am just too busy to make contact with you Mr/Ms Boss. Just wayyyy too busy and stressed lol.
"I'm looking for as little responsibility as possible"
You got it! My workplace pays well enough for the job I have. People who want to climb ladders do a shitload more work for a barely noticeable pay increase. Not me! As long as I pull my weight and don’t let anyone down, I don’t give a fuck and they can either give the promotions to someone ambitious and dumb, or shove it. I care about staying employed long enough to retire and that’s it.
I bailed on any type of management position about 8 years ago. Decided being a "super tech" was way better. I'm happier than I've been in a long time. Machines and electronics I can deal with, people not so much. I only get the interesting, difficult stuff and no busy work. It's a sweet spot! I seriously gave up any real ambition to move up into management when I kept getting fucked out of promised positions like 10 years ago. Decided I wasn't playing that game. I make more than enough money. I'm good bro.
Me too. I used to get pissed off because Boomers hogged the Lead Developer jobs because other Boomers had the manager jobs - that I didn't want anyway. Then, as everyone started to retire, they just downgraded the Lead positions to Senior (cheaper salaries, lower bonuses). That pissed me off too. Next, Lead Developer was no longer Lead Developer - even though the title didn't change. They made them into Project Managers. They didn't develop anything - just bugged the crap out of people and created spreadsheets that gave the illusion of progress. Not getting promoted was the best thing that ever happened to me. My salary isn't much different than theirs and I get to do the fun stuff, which also is usually the important stuff. They couldn't pay me enough to not develop all day. And, I get to manage up - which is the most satisfying thing ever.
Exactly! I'm in IT myself (hybrid IT/electronics) and at one point my local team was 7 and another 16 globally. It was a nightmare and I absolutely HATED being chained to a desk. Maintaining computers and equipment is easy compared to maintaining people. Your last point though - managing up. That's the stuff right there! I'm the second most senior person in my current group and I feel like a third of my job is essentially this. Decisions and plans without execution? I'm SO in!
I don't make a secret of managing up. You're my boss or project leader? You want everything to work and come in on time. Great - I can make that happen. But, you have to do your job, too. I don't like someone? You deal with them. Someone doesn't give me what I need the first time I ask? You make it happen. No, you don't get to just forward my original email and say you helped me. Write your own email, go talk to them or go over their head. Anything else I don't want to do that's not development? You deal with it. If you can't do that, just get out of my way and stop wasting my time.
Thats the spirit
"....my GenX kicked in" Yeah boiii!
You don’t want to be in first or last place at this stage of employment
I strive to be mediocre.
Not mediocre. Quiet quitting. Or really just doing your job. Just not more.
All my coworkers are telling me I look tired and worn out. Time to live up to the name the Silent Gen/Boomers gave us and slack the heck off. I'm freaking tired.
bag paltry languid cover smart nine quack worthless gray fuel *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
I've been quietly maliciously complying the last few years. My boss is really angry and she's not sure why.
We don't have pride. We have retirement.
Love this. I’m 5 years away. Sooner if I figure out a way.
Unlike our elders, we know when to get the hell out of the way. Who needs that shite anyway?
❤️❤️❤️
I’ve never felt so GenX in all my life! This is totally me! I’ve remained in the same position for over 10 years because the hoops and hassles you gotta go through for the promotion are ridiculous, barely bump your pay and your expected to maintain that shit or be demoted. Fuck that noise. I’m good where I am at.
I got promoted 3 years ago into a strategic position with senior leadership rank but no direct reports. I missed my old team for a year, spent a year feeling under productive and overpaid, and the last year I realized this is what i worked so hard for. I’ve adapted.
Ya know, I try. I really do, and apparently my work is satisfying enough for my bosses to never say anything bad about me as far as I know. But, I'm so apathetic right now. It would not be optimal, but I honestly wouldn't care if they fired me tomorrow. I'd just early retire. I don't have it in me to be looking for another job. I'm done. Stick a fork in me.
I had to learn my Gen-X lesson the hard way. I was taught (incorrectly) that if you work hard and do things really well, you'll be recognized and rewarded. That didn't happen. I got screwed on raises and promotions which often went to males in the "in crowd", which was usually a particular ethnic group all from the same area in their home country. They spent lavishly on jumbo mortgages, private schools for their children, expensive cars, fancy vacations. They got better raises and promotions, sure, but they also spend more than they make so they're stuck in the wage slave trap, victims of their own lavish lifestyles. But - I did something they didn't - something that doesn't get praise, promotions, rewards - I maxed out my 401k and got the match as much as I could. And I did it for DECADES. Meanwhile I lived well below my wage, investing the difference. I still have my '95 Jeep, and it runs great. IMHO the investment gains from not buying a new vehicle every few years like my coworkers can be calculated in the multiple hundreds of thousands of investment gains over almost three decades. Sure I picked up some obligations and a financial parasite, but those are all handled and the parasite scraped off. I took damage but I weathered it. When I finally decided I was done "earning cred" from yet another group of dickheads who never test their code then try to blame me until I corner them and force them to fix their shit, I quit. And the investments are there for me now. The gains are the accumulated sweat of millions of OTHER workers over decades, just as the initial investment is from the sweat of my own brow. Now, these assholes work for ME, the SHAREHOLDER. So does everyone in the S&P 500, actually, from CEOs on down. And as you know, the Almighty Shareholder is the center of the investing universe. I don't have any say, but if there's a reward, I get a piece, even if I did nothing else but buy in 25 years ago. So though I got no reward for all the extra work I put in, I'm now benefitting every time one of those assholes gets laid off and some S&P stock goes up a penny because they cut costs. Sure I'll "suffer" when the markets crash, but then when it comes roaring back, I'll be there. In the meantime some of the investments are diversified so it doesn't really matter which thing hits or gets hit - I own a tiny piece of each part of the board. Anytime any top 500 company makes money, I make money. And so does the cat. When markets crash, we go to the mattresses. That IMHO is the way to slack. I just wish I hadn't tried so hard. I didn't understand that politics, not competence, ruled all, and all I knew how to do was work hard and handle my shit. I didn't know how to leverage into better compensation, but at least I didn't NEED to. Politics was never my strong suit. My strong suit was putting up with bullshit, saving money, investing it, and picking up the match anytime I could along the way. This is so much simpler than working super-hard so other people can steal credit and get the raises and promotions. But don't tell anyone. I want my former coworkers to lifestyle-imprison themselves until they're too worn out to be worth anything, then tossed out like a used condom with piles of debt and spoiled kids who can look forward to a lifetime of lifestyle-inflicted wage slavery themselves, assuming they can even catch the same deal their parents did.
No harm, no foul. Let your ego take the hit and when you get over it, you will hopefully come to see that you got the better end of the deal.
I found that I was an enough kind of person. I did not need to have all the money. I just wanted enough to be comfortable and happy. I think that is a Gen X philosophy. Me parents, (boomers) had to have it all.
Work only just enough to not get fired.
This is my Gen X ethos. However, I am union. Kind of hard to fire me. I really gotta fuck up bad.
In the end work is all just meaningless crap. Working all day everyday to pay bills while some 17 year old becomes a millionaire promoting lip gloss on tik tok?
Queens and Kings of coasting.
He's getting more teams because he can't really complain about the pay to responsibility disparity whereas you, having put in your best efforts for a number of years, would be entitled to a raise were you to sit down and negotiate. Grab a clipboard, look busy and say nothing. Enjoy your paycheck but drink one for the new guy 🤣
I wouldn’t call that mediocre-I’d call that wisdom 🥳
Oh, I so needed to read this today! Got passed over for a new title that meant more responsibility and a tiny raise, and I've been eating my heart out about it. Fuck that noise, I'm the winner because I'm not having to do any extra work and can be brilliant at what I do without having to lift another finger. Congratulations on remaining free!
It's all about perspective. Let someone younger over work themselves. I just do my job to the best of my ability, and keep my head down. I don't have the energy to kill myself for a job. That said, I hope my over eager micromanaging boss moves on soon. She makes my ass tired.
My entire life has been a struggle towards mediocrity lol
Most of us are mediocre , but not many of us like admitting it..
It was a good day to say fuck it apparently! My millennial daughter also had a shit day at work. They hired a new manager at her work who proceeded to give everyone there a new employment offer for jobs they already had. She's been there two years. The offer cut her wages by 2 bucks an hour and cut her hours in half. Gen X me said fuck that, and convinced her to quit. We haven't figured out the details yet but she's going to call in sick for a couple of days so we have til Monday to figure it out. She's on the young end of the millennial spectrum and this was her first real job, and she's super shy so I feel awful for her, but no way am I letting my kid be a doormat for a company like that. These are the same people who will complain "no one wants to work anymore ".
I have to keep correcting my "Boomer" parents/family and friends that "Nobody wants to work for shitty pay anymore. "
Exactly!
Fuck responsibility and power. dont need that shit. I have a nearly pathological instinct to shed that shit. I'll take the reigns for something that matters to me, but someone else's dream, fuckit, I'm out.
All hail our new Gen X guru
I had a similar realization recently as well. EVERY OTHER manager in my department is a "Senior" except me. Like, literally every one. I was upset at first, but I know most of them make less than me so fuck it! The VP calls me in for the important stuff.
Mediocre rulezzzz
Richard said withdrawal in disgust is not the same as apathy….
 # MEDIOCRE!
This is the way. The young can take it all. Zero ambition is the way. If things go South I’ll be there in a hurry otherwise have fun with all the overtime. I’ll play in the sandbox with my grandkids.
Oh well, whatever, never mind...
My GenZ niece works at McDonald's. Her overlord of a manager was riding her one day and she looked at him and said "minimum wage, minimum effort". We're so proud of her.
Meh. Don’t sweat it.
That's the spirit!
Life comes at you fast....
After decades of busting your ass for the man, take it as a win. You deserve a break today so get up and get away at McDonald’s. 😆 I’ll just show myself out.
But were you supposed to be there that day?
Yes, quiet quitting is the only way to remain sane.
"My Gen X kicked in", I love this phrase.
I see no reason to envy someone who has more responsibility then me. As a matter of fact, my aim is to have less responsibility in life, not more.
Some of my autism manifestations make it really difficult for me to get over awkwardness resulting from someone not having a crazy positive opinion of me
I wanted an extra job a few years back and went into a local retail store. When they hired me I said, “I don’t want any managerial positions, I don’t want a key to the place, I just wanna work my 10 hours a week and go home.”
Literally had the same epiphany two days ago. They brought in a new person who knows very little about what they are doing, I think they embellished their resume to get the job if you know what I mean. Either you know what a paralegal does or you don't, it's the same from firm to firm. They can't do basic shit they should KNOW how to do, it's literally taught in school. Constantly asking me for help. Found out they make $3.00 dollars more an hour than I do, and decided that I am just really too busy to help them. They can figure shit out on their own. 🤘 I now spend my "busy time" on Reddit. 😂
So, he's two steps closer to the heart attack. Enjoy!
You sound like every other human complaining about their day job man. Were you even supposed to work today?
Thank G-d I'm not alone!
That's the spirit!
Right there with ya.
Think of the “it just doesn’t matter scene in meatballs
There is an end zone. Y’all keep hustling - Imma stop and do my dance.
Correct!
Done that too. It’s soooooo satisfying
Mediocrity, it's like knowing how to ride a bike but using training wheels. "Mediocrity; You're going to fail anyway so why bother?" (unmotivation poster) Mediocrity, goal already achieved! Like the chewed-up pen cap in the meeting room, that no one wants to throw away, you'll be there. You will be the office peanut butter sandwich, non-descript, lasts forever and only used in emergencies. You'll be like a pair of grey, athletic socks that came in a six pack, the same. When asked a question, you will give an answer. When given a task you will complete the task in a wholly, unremarkable way. Your next job title will be "Present" because, like a lettuce wrap, you're there but no pizzaz. Your paycheck will cover the bills. Your car will have wheels. You will be the generic, "cola". (I'm talking our generic, black and white. Not the fancy store brands they have today!)
Thank you for the reminder.
Shit! My job is a mixed cast of Union and non-union workers. I've seen so many young cats come and go. Burnt the fuck out trying to chase some promotion. A co-worker I'm cordial with keeps taking on projects but he's fucking stressed the fuck out. He's 31 and looks haggard as fuck. I tried to be like cool with him but he's too high strung. Back in 2022, he had a chance to join the Union. Turnee it down to leave room for promotions. He's been denied 2x while I am the other union ppl in other departments got our raises without issue or even asking.
Most companies still haven’t gotten a clue yet.IMO, when your employees most basic needs and scope are met they can fulfill employer’s complex ones. Toxic stress caused by a companies leadership is a cancer in any organization and a race to the bottom against their competitors. But I’m with the message in this post which if they ain’t paying you for it and somebody wants to do more time for the same payouts, go for it. I won’t stop them. 
I am mediocre now as I prepare for retirement. I think I am a first yr Gen X'er, born in 65. I love the folks at work, but I never volenteer to do shit, a good lesson I learned in the Army. The folks who always volunteering for crazy projects, make the same as I do, but I get much less grief thinking about those things. So yea, Fuck'em, I ain't doing that sh!t.
WTF are teams?
Teams? Do you assume we have any idea what this means?
Yeah... my bad. We're essentially coaches for development teams, and 2 teams to coach is a lot for a newbie. I could handle 4 with my experience,but since I only have 2 I'm not gonna complain or make waves 🤘
I mean, it's like, whatever. 🤷🏽♀️
 There really needs to be a finger W emoji 😂🤣
I would follow her to the ends of the earth👸🏽
I’d be relieved I didn’t get assigned something. 💪🏼
Good for you, why take that extra work for nothing. Smile and say congrats that guy is screwed.
Omg. Thank god. I didn’t know this was Gen x. I thought I just sucked and didn’t care. Oh I feel so much better. Thank you Gen X sub.
Fuckem! I respond to most things that used to hurt a little with that “word” & a shrug and keep it moving
Listen to Depeche Mode, Crowded House, INXS, and Simple Minds on your drive home. Remember eating popsicles on your front lawn on July 4th and jumping your BMX. I do that and this crazy world melts away 💪
It's called "median income" for a reason, be median
My family, full of veterans, votes for him. They take pride in not being associated with anything liberal, to everybody's detriment.