Beyond the Nine-to-Five: Rethinking Modern Working Habits

Many employees blame their employers for their unhappiness. If you have a full-time commitment to something, it is likely to influence your quality of life. Therefore, also influences the company/corporation strength that we work for. Our work/employment habits pass on to their surroundings and to future generations. With this in mind, I would like to discuss common habits and how to challenge them. By rethinking traditional work habits, we can move beyond simply blaming external factors and take ownership of our own well-being and the impact we have on our workplaces and the world around us. Rethinking work and challenging traditional work habits may present an opportunity for creating more equality, independence, and change.

If you think you have strong values or ethics, are you willing to stand up for them? To what extent? Sure, it can be a difficult thing to do, with potential pressure from society and the economy. The way I see it is, that something can’t improve if it cannot change. To develop and implement these changes we have to know how to handle industrialization, money, and ourselves. Hopefully, this post will help provide some guidance to understanding our social responsibility and awareness of our daily actions. I hope to encourage personal growth and confidence in our daily actions.

Demanding Respect: Reasserting Your Value as a Job Candidate

As a potential job candidate, taking the time to analyze employers before accepting a job offer is more beneficial than we may have previously deemed. I would like to see us take our employment considerations a step further. The majority of my experiences during job interviews have been significantly one-sided by employers. As a strong supporter of equality, I would expect an employer to share this value with me, especially if I am considering working with them.

During a company’s conducted phone interview, I was asked what I knew about their company; I didn’t know much, but I answered truthfully and without notes or internet searching. I had been applying to a handful of companies and different positions to try to land a job.  It was unsettling when they had to go searching for my resume (in the middle of our interview) to answer their question that I returned to them: As a potential job candidate, what do you know about me? I wonder if they know who they’re interviewing. Why do they expect me to be prepared, but not themselves? Is a company that can’t treat candidates equally even worth my time?

I was told that they go through many applicants and it was unrealistic for them to know this information about a candidate. However, do they not realize I go through many companies and applications? And in which I do not get paid to do? In reality, most employers have this mindset, and, this strategy. We live in a time where we cannot trust easily. Corporations do not always have our best interests in mind, as they may lead us to believe. Wondering what types of questions you could ask during a work interview? Check out these questions from our blog 10 Essential Questions to Ask Employers.

The Illusion of Branding: Unmasking Corporate Realities

Employers invest heavily in crafting a desirable public image. Money fuels elaborate marketing campaigns, enticing advertisements, and even self-funded research studies designed to portray a positive and socially conscious image. While profit remains a primary objective for most businesses, the negative aspects of their operations are often obscured by this carefully constructed facade. This creates an illusion of ethical and socially responsible behavior that can mislead the public.

By rethinking traditional work habits, we can shift our focus from simply accepting corporate narratives to actively questioning and investigating their claims. Individuals must conduct thorough research and exercise critical thinking before engaging with any company, whether as an employee, customer, or investor. This applies to all aspects of our lives, even for those who are self-employed, unemployed, or volunteering. By actively seeking information and cultivating awareness, we can better understand the true impact of our choices and make informed decisions that align with our values.

The Unfulfilled Promise of Industrialization

Industrialization, while bringing about significant technological advancements, has fallen short of its intended promises for both workers and the planet ^[1]. Instead of creating a utopia of equitable employment and environmental harmony, it has often led to exploitative labor practices, widespread pollution, and a widening gap between the wealthy and the working class ^[2]. Workers frequently endure low wages, long hours, and hazardous working conditions, while the relentless pursuit of profit has driven the overexploitation of natural resources and the degradation of ecosystems ^[3]. This unsustainable model of development highlights the urgent need for a re-evaluation of our industrial systems, prioritizing social and environmental well-being alongside economic growth. It’s important to note that the Industrial Revolution also brought about significant advancements in technology and productivity. However, the social and economic costs for many workers were substantial, highlighting the need for greater attention to social justice and worker rights.

The Industrial Revolution Promised Workers Several Things that were not Always Fulfilled:

• Improved living standards
  • Reality: Many workers experienced a decline in living conditions. Overcrowded cities, polluted environments, and long hours in dangerous factories led to widespread poverty, disease, and shortened lifespans.  
• Higher wages and shorter hours
  • Reality: Wages for many workers remained low, and working hours were often excessively long. Child labor was common, and factory conditions were frequently dangerous and exploitative.  
• Increased opportunities for social mobility
  • Reality: While some individuals benefited from the new economic opportunities, social mobility remained limited for many. The gap between the wealthy factory owners and the working class widened significantly.  
• A more fulfilling and meaningful work experience
  • Reality: Factory work often involves repetitive, monotonous tasks, offering little autonomy or creative expression. Workers were treated as interchangeable parts in the production process, with little regard for their individual needs or well-being.

Recognizing and Valuing Human Qualities in the Workplace

Companies often strive for a highly efficient, almost robotic workforce. However, it’s crucial to remember that humans are not machines. We are complex beings with emotions, the capacity for creativity, and the inevitable tendency to make mistakes. We must leverage these unique human qualities before technology potentially displaces us. If you feel that technology has already surpassed you in your field, I apologize. Technology itself is not inherently good or bad. Its impact depends entirely on how we choose to wield it. By proactively engaging with the evolving power of technology, we can actively shape its trajectory and ensure it serves humanity in a positive and beneficial way.

Investing in Education: Are We Achieving Our Societal Goals?

Individuals today often find themselves with numerous career opportunities across various companies and corporations. However, it’s crucial to question whether individuals are truly discerning in their career choices. Do they fully understand the values and practices of the companies they are considering? Are they aware of the broader societal impact of their work? We dedicate significant time and resources to education and training, often incurring substantial financial burdens. Yet, we must ask ourselves: What are the true societal benefits of this investment? Are we cultivating a workforce that aligns with our collective values and contributes meaningfully to a just and sustainable future?

The Illusion of Success: Breaking Free from Societal Expectations

Many of us live beyond our means, often incurring debt to finance our education in the pursuit of high-earning careers, both financially and emotionally rewarding. This journey is frequently accompanied by immense stress and sleepless nights as we strive to meet academic demands and keep pace with societal expectations. This experience is not unique; it’s a common struggle for many. After years of dedicated effort and finally completing my education, I am determined not to easily surrender to the pressures that have shaped my life. To learn more about finding fulfillment beyond the pursuit of extraordinary achievements, read our blog post: “How Ordinary Living Enhances Mental Well-Being in a World Obsessed with Extraordinary Achievements“.

Is Your Work Making the World a Better Place?

Regardless of employment status, everyone should critically examine their work. This introspection requires introspection and may necessitate acquiring information that is not readily accessible. For example, healthcare professionals treating patients whose illnesses stem from environmental factors may be inadvertently enabling those factors by solely focusing on treatment. This raises the question of whether such work merely applies a “Band-Aid” to a deeper, systemic wound. If you are passionate about your work, it may be more impactful to address the root causes of the problem rather than providing temporary solutions.

Corporations primarily driven by profit motives can have detrimental consequences for society and the environment. This underscores the importance of “rethinking work,” which involves challenging traditional work habits and encouraging individuals to critically evaluate their role in addressing systemic issues. Prioritizing work that aligns with one’s values and contributes to a more just and sustainable society is crucial.

Don’t Just Get the Job, Get the Right Job

Thorough preparation is crucial for successful job interviews. Unfortunately, the desperation to secure employment often leads individuals, myself included, to neglect their own needs and priorities. By rethinking traditional work habits, we can shift our perspective on the job interview process. Conventional wisdom dictates that the primary objective of a job interview is to impress the employer. While this is partly true, it’s equally important to use the interview as an opportunity to thoroughly evaluate the company and assess whether it’s a good fit for you and your career goals. If the company has chosen to interview you, it signifies that you meet their initial criteria for the position. Therefore, the interview process should be viewed as a two-way street, with both the employer and the candidate having the opportunity to assess their compatibility.

Next time an employer inquires if you have any questions, be prepared to leverage this valuable opportunity for further inquiry.

How we can impact a change for the world.

As responsible consumers, it’s crucial to align our spending decisions with our values and ethical principles. Participating in consumerism necessitates an understanding of the implications of our purchasing choices. When we buy a product, we are not merely exchanging money for goods; we are also supporting the company that produced it.

Some Critical Questions to Ask Before Making a Purchase:

• Was this product produced ethically?
• Does the company adhere to ethical business practices?
• Is the product environmentally friendly?
• Is the company locally based?
• Are there more sustainable or ethical alternatives available?

Your Money, Your Values: Choosing Companies That Align

Information about a company’s ethical and environmental practices is readily available through research, online resources, and even dedicated applications like Buycott and Bunny Free. It is crucial to familiarize yourself with the companies you choose to support with your money. Actively promote those that align with your values. Remember, many corporate practices remain hidden from public scrutiny. I advocate for greater transparency and accountability within the business world.

For example, if you value animal welfare, avoid supporting companies involved in animal testing or those that contribute to animal cruelty. If environmental sustainability is important to you, prioritize a natural lifestyle and support local, eco-friendly businesses. Every day presents an opportunity to uphold your values through your consumer choices. Don’t compromise on your principles. Encourage others to prioritize their values and make conscious decisions that align with their beliefs, even in their professional lives. By embracing the concept of “Rethinking Traditional Work Habits,” you can actively contribute to a more just and sustainable future.

“Integrate moments of peace into your workday; mental rest is not a luxury, it’s a necessity.”

– Unknown

Like this read? Check out Relationship with Society: Reimagining Social Structures for a Just and Equitable Future to explore the many other ways to improve your relationship with society.
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