Work. But not mine. I don't think.

[pmb]

So, a while back, a friend said that she was having a tough time at work, and I responded:I'm pretty sure that most people's relationship to work is an abusive one. Things like "work doesn't like it if I go out, so I can't be friends with you any more" and "work was bad for a long time, but yesterday it was good, so I think it's changed and we've

Comments

[crimmycat]

I beg to differ - the essential skill of management is to optimize the productivity of all your employees, not just the least competent. Focusing on minimizing loss is not the same as focusing on optimizing growth, and will not produce the same results.

I will agree that a relationship in which one feels unloved and unappreciated is more likely to happen in a job where one is interchangeable. Even in such jobs, though, there is no true complete interchangeability - to lose an employee has non-obvious costs including hiring and the slowdown during training. Encouragement and reward will increase performance and morale on all levels; people perform to the expectations of their manager.

Leaving a romance usually comes with complications varying from loneliness, reduced income, problems redefining one's self and social roles, and often emotional ugliness. If a worker ties their sense of self and self-esteem to a job, this can also happen. Unlike romance, where one can be single for years, a job is necessary - but if they choose to save and plan for times without jobs, and start looking while currently employed, they are no more tied to a particular place of employment than they are to a partner.

Also, an unsatisfying job can be altered through dealing with people and taking on or shedding roles and responsibilities. Unlike romances, the likelihood to walk off and leave the other in the dust rests in the employee's court alone, and so a job may be salvaged with negotiation and effort on the employee's part.