Why do people continue working for bad companies?

February 21, 2007 · Filed Under Finding Your Job, Stupid Employee Tricks · 14 Comments 

From the mailbag: Why do people continue to work for bad companies?

Brief answer: because it is easy.

What did I just say? I know, I know, the HR Guy has fallen off his rocker again. The stress at work must be unbearable.

The status quo is always easier though. It is always easier not to change. Change encompasses a whole range of emotions and uncertainties in life. Emotions that are uncomfortable for most people (like am I good enough?). Being rejected. Taking a pay cut. Doing something you really like.

Yes, even the fear of dropping your bad company for the picture perfect opportunity can have its range of negative emotions. After all, failing at the very thing you love is a huge blow. Failing at something you hate is much easier to stomach.

And that’s what keeps bad companies in business. Once you’ve finished a job search, you don’t want to restart it again. The job search being a miserable experience helps a bunch but staying with a bad company is simply easier than finding something else.

Finding something else means extra effort outside of work. It means possibly starting on a new career path. It means possibly taking a pay/benefit cut.  And no, that’s not ideal but nobody said it would be. Making a decision to leave a bad company is either made through desperation or through very difficult work and sacrifices.

And while I’d love to believe that every single one of my employees are happy with where there are, chances are that at least a few are resenting their decisions to come to work for us but are putting up with it because it is easy. Possibly one day, they will take the difficult road to leave on their own but for now, they will stay. Because it is easier. And because even bad is safe.

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Your HR Guy is MIA but He Makes Up For it

February 13, 2007 · Filed Under For the love of HR · 1 Comment 

Even your HR guy gets a little pressure put to him at work that he needs to take care of quickly. That has been the past two weeks in a nutshell. So while I am trying to catch up on blogging and blogs and all those things, I just had to share this amazing site.

I don’t know about anyone else but I am a big fan of The Office (both the British and American versions). If you have ever watched it, it is noteworthy for its cringe factor among HR professionals. Besides the obvious reason why, this blog goes episode by episode estimating the potential litigation costs for the employer.

Fascinating for numerous reasons but definitely something I’ll make part of my regular routine on Friday.

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    Your HR Guy is a Human Resources Generalist practicing in the field. But don't let that fool you, this isn't a boring blog. I seek relevance and humor in a place we will spend much of our lives. Everything from workplace issues, job seeking and terrible bosses. Read more...

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