No one should be this stressed out at a job that pays so little.
This is what I think amidst my eight hour shift at my minimum wage job that leaves me with an ear-splitting migraine at the end of each day. Ironically enough, working an honourable job like this is a reminder of everything I lack. That I am yet to achieve my dreams, despite pursuing a college education. That I come from a poorer Nigerian background, and having something- even when it’s pennies- is seemingly better than nothing at face value.
I understand that the most popular discourse surrounding myself and my generation does not fit the image I painted above. Instead, we are met with accusations from those who came before us that we are lazy, and lack “professional awareness and basic soft skills.” Many have deduced that this stems from plenty of Gen-Z professionals entering the workforce during COVID, which greatly stunted and impacted our introductions to this environment.
Although a Gen-Z and Millennial survey has attributed a lack of proactiveness to stress, anxiety, and consequently feeling fatigued and disengaged at work, many, like Laura Davis, a director at John Ball Zoo, still believe that we are [simply] “not looking to be productive.”
The way I see it, a missing piece that is conveniently left out of many of these conversations is apathy. It has a pervasive role in young people’s attitudes towards work.
Most of the work people are thrust into in their 20s might lack meaningfulness, a livable wage, and a chain of command that isn’t abusing its ability to extort those at the bottom of the totem for very little. There is a seldom feeling of fulfilment or contentment at these monotonous jobs, which often follow tedious days of mindless activities and gruelling customer interactions. Whether you like to admit it or not, and whether one has a strong work ethic, moxie, determination or grit, these jobs almost always produce a feeling of apathy that is hard to shake. Nobody wants to over exhaust themselves for little, whether or not they believe they have more to offer.
Once apathy sets in, it’s hard not to get existential.
Today’s youth is jaded because flawed institutions are giving out under our noses.
What was once promised not too many decades ago can no longer be guaranteed.
As many of today’s youth are struggling to come into their independence, it’s confounding to have done “everything right,” only to be met with seemingly insurmountable hurdles. Since 2022, consumers have seen a 10% increase in rent. With food and grocery prices remaining elevated as well, it’s no surprise that the two most basic human needs being unmet will cause a grave lack of disinterest in a job that can barely- if at all- meet those needs.
And yet, we are told to be grateful. To suck it up and work harder. To relish in the most uncertain years of our lives. Even when, everywhere we look, there are persistent reminders and warning signs of young people being lurched into a worryingly unstable abyss for a future. We are met with little to no compassion, and it is demanded from us that we simply work harder, in spite of our efforts, in spite of the cards we were dealt. As if ceaseless and unrelenting burnout before you even begin your career is actually, irrefutably necessary for character development. As if it’s normal to work two jobs and still be unable to make ends meet. These same people don’t realize that you can simultaneously be grateful and still understand that you deserve more.
As today’s youth begin to learn about the harsh truths of the job market- nepotism, favouritsm, dishonest recruiters and fake, disingenuous job ads that are posted for show- it can become increasingly dispiriting to continuously put oneself out there. It becomes glaringly obvious that the difference between the rich and the working class is no longer hard work. Sometimes it’s not even luck. Mostly, it comes down to who you know, being at the right place at the right time.
It makes sense that the shift in workplace attitude and confidence is palpable. Especially in comparison with past attitudes towards job security, stability, and even the perception of one’s boss. Gone are the days where people looked up to their employers with unbridled respect, unwavering trust and loyalty. Gone are the days where people believed in the upward, natural trajectory of their career. Where the formula of hard work and dedication was enough. Today, people see most of these conglomerates for what they really are, and rightfully fail to attach any form of meaning or sentiment to them.
For the average person, it seems nearly impossible to get ahead, save money, or plan for a family. Higher levels of anxiety are not only attached to the present landscape, but a future that remains viscously cold and relentless in its financial discrimination against the masses. Being young is often a time of financial insecurity, but it becomes a mounting issue when those who are just entering the workforce are adopting multiple jobs in growing numbers, seeing no end in sight to the incessant hustle.
As these thoughts percolate at the average underpaying customer service job, it’s easy to quickly find yourself working under a stultifying fog. It’s easy to feel overcome with a miasma of dread and despair as you attempt to grovel your way up and out of a cascading mudslide.