LUCKY TO LEAVE THE JOB

You are lucky enough to have a job right now!

What does it mean if it comes from a supervisor, boss, manager, or the Head of your department?

Two things come to mind:
1. Better shut up, get to work. Take the job or leave it.

2. Don’t think about making suggestions to improve your work or your work environment. It is what it is.
                                                                                     
This is not a very empowering statement.  But I heard it from a manager a few years ago. At first, she better be kidding, but yes, it was an opening statement in a meeting with employees in our division.  The looming context was a departmental budget cut, possible lay-offs, and a restructuring. But despite the depressing reality at that time, the manager positioned herself defensively by not addressing any question but by simply stating what is to come in a few months. The memo will be sent to those that will be affected by these changes.

People in higher positions saying these are themselves powerless in a bureaucratic organization where the safest bet is to push it down to more powerless people in the organization. It starts from the top.

​That being said, if there is no genuine care, concern, and commitment to workers' welfare and well-being, it shows not only in policies but also in language and attitudes of the management. 

I have come to understand one thing from that meeting. There is no real progress in a career/ in a work environment where you are made to shut up and just do the job. 

I was lucky to leave in five months!