On my part, I like the organization I work for, the benefits are great …sad part is I hate my job description!

I came across your site yesterday and its just given me a lot of insight on so many things… I plan on buying your book (Happy Hour 9 to 5)! :-)

i’m at that point where I’m still trying to figure out what really motivates me… so as to make the right choice

No worries, I’ll be quitting soon and have a go at working for myself untill I run out of savings xD

There is also unfairness in my company. Many of the lower-level employees, including myself, have not had a raise in 4 years and are very underpaid for our positions. I found out a few months ago that raises were given to those “in need”- which meant people who had families or children. As a single person, I could not believe this kind of discrimination. I am a single person, but they do not take into account that I may need a raise. I am putting my fiance’ through school so we are one income, not to mention the high cost of rent here in Los Angeles and the cost of living rising. I have my pets I also take care of, so I do not think it’s fair to be discriminated like this and give only “families” raises.

Also, I plan on leaving because there is no growth in my position and the position is ultimately dead-end. Being slightly underpaid is fine as long as one can assume more responsibility, grow, and advance not only position-wise, but also grow mentally and financially in that position in the future. When a company keeps an employee pigeon-holed in a position so that they cannot advance, or when a company refuses to invest in their employee and help them update their skills or grow as an employee to help benefit the company, that says something.

I stayed so long because of the recession and fearing I won’t be able to find a better job, my fiance’ going to school and worrying, and lack of self-confidence. Complacency and fear are the worst things- they debilitate you. I had a lot of anxiety wondering if I was going to be here forever. The last few years, I also held off on going back to school and getting a Master’s out of fear. I’ve lived with on and off depression for the last few years, all due to my job.

Something finally snapped last week. I got so used to seeing all the bad news about the recession, unemployment, layoffs, etc that it instilled so much fear that it was controlling my life, my growth, and my happiness. I got so used to being complacent and telling myself “It could be worse”– that I stopped telling myself “It could be better”.

I am now preparing to go back to school to better myself. I plan to stay here while I go to school and will inform my current company that I am going back to school. If they don’t like it and I get laid off, I will look for another position that will accommodate me and my goals. If not, I’ll collect unemployment and find a part-time job while going back to school. I no longer have any fear because now I’m in control of my future.

So to those who are stuck in jobs they hate- take back the control!

Even when you try some optimization and rationalization of the work process in favor of both client and team, a detail-obssessed narrow-minded freak of a boss stands in your way imposing his/her anal views on how work must be done.