Reading all these work-malaise posts reminds me why I'm so grateful for my tolerable wagie situation.
I have a lot of problems with my employers wider culture and I work with some useless contemptible freaks, but the fools gave me a lab to run with zero oversight because no one really cares about or appreciates what my department does. The pay isn't great but I've got way more control and less stress than I would have if I moved to a different employer to do the same thing.
In 2024 terms i'm living the fucking dream: I can instigate moderately interesting projects. I live in an affluent area and don't commute. And most of all- no DEI or pronouns shit yet. (don't know if my employer realises what great effect thats having on staff retention but from talking to people I think it's a big factor).
2 years ago I was going to apply for everything and chase more pay and better colleagues; a greater institution, but having talked to so many people in my field I value avoiding the political DEI HR minefield so I'm going to stay put unless something I can't refuse comes up. I've got a unicorn job in a lot of ways.
Don't get me wrong, being a wage-slave is sucking away my life but I'm well aware my wage-slavery is positively luxurious.
I feel for all my fellow kiwis for whom earning a wage is now dependant on bowing to troon ideology, working with outright lunatics, or putting up with bloated corporate dead hands holding down all effectiveness.
Ninjad but ETA: quote
@owed to joy
This is very true.