Understanding WORK (part 6) - Exploitation of the workers

Exploitation of the workers?

In a free and democratic society it is actually impossible to "exploit" workers. There is always a willing buyer/willing seller principle in action. The one harsh reality of a democratic society is that "Market Forces" rule. What the market thinks your services are worth is what you will get paid. However what you think you are worth is what you will accept.

Just think about your shopping style. If the store wants more for an item than you are prepared to pay, or can afford to pay, then you leave it. Why should the employer, who is a person just like you, be any different.

But instead of blaming your insensitive, greedy, exploitative employer for your situation, have the courage, and the honesty, to look at yourself first.

When you applied for this job, and I am presuming that you applied, and were not forced, to work here, how much thought did you give to what you would have to do? I'm prepared to put money on it, that for far too many people, how much they would get paid was far more important than what they would have to do. In fact, I would go so far as to say that many people overstate their willingness and ability to do the job. They'll say anything just to get the salary.

How would you feel if the boss, realising that you felt exploited, told you that since he can't afford to pay you more, he will release you from bondage so that you would be free to find another position that will pay you more?

Are you sure that you are not the one doing the exploiting? In my consulting practice I have dealt with many cases of blatant exploitation of employers by employees. Things like, abuse of sick leave, misuse of company property, theft, poor performance, absenteeism, I can go on and on, but this is not what this is about. While we have to face the situation squarely and call a spade a spade what we really want to do is to put ourselves into a position where we do not feel exploited.

There are a few things that you should be doing to ensure that you are not in the "exploited" group.

1. Be grateful that you have a job. I don't care how bad it is I think that the alte
ative, unemployment, has got to be worse.

2. Accept that you made a choice to work here and can leave at any time.

3. Make it your mission to improve the value of your services. Read books, take every class and course you can. Do you know that there are actually people who resent being sent on courses by their employers, sounds unbelievable I know, but it's true.

4. Gain all the experience you can get. Think of ways to do the job better.

5. Avoid all contact with the wingers and whiners who pollute the air with their complaints.

6. Don't listen to anyone who says that you should get more for doing less. It sounds great but is a sure recipe for disaster.

7. Learn from those who are in the position that you would like to be in. Watch what they do and how they do it. Copy their work habits.

8. Accept that you, and you alone are responsible for your progress in life. Where you started was beyond your control but where you end up is entirely your responsibility.

It is important to change the way that you think because only by changing the way that you think will you change the way that you behave. Placing the blame for your condition on your boss puts you in victim mode and disempowers you. Accepting that you made a choice, perhaps a bad one, puts you in the drivers seat. Since it was your choice you are free to make a different choice.

If you want a better life you have to make it happen and you never will while you feel that you are an "exploited worker" rather become a worker that exploits all your talents to create the better life that you desire.