Anonymous
Post 12/05/2018 15:51     Subject: Re:we had to take a survey at work - one question asked if we look forward to work, every morning
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I feel like the question needs to be the exact opposite. My current job is a good one, and I like it, but I'm here because they pay me not because I love it. I've had jobs, though, that I was physically sick to my stomach as I drove to work and walked in. That's how much I hated my boss and the role. THAT, in my mind, is what they need to uncover. Not just how many people like their jobs, but how many truly and absolutely are miserable for a range of reasons.


I agree with this. That survey sounds misguided. It's not the role of an employer to entertain people. After all, they're paying people to come in and do a job. But it is the responsibility of the employer to maintain an environment in which people can actually do the jobs they're getting paid to do without being harassed, bullied, made ill, etc.

Usually, when surveys like that start cropping up, it's because there's a toxic environment. But instead of actually addressing the toxicity, they focus on the frivolous, surface-level stuff. It's sort of like there might be a bully of a manager who demeans and belittles people daily, but instead of actually firing the manager,the employer will create "ice cream Fridays!" and declare that they want their employees to look forward to coming to work and think they're improving morale. So all that achieves is making employees feel pressured to PRETEND they look forward to coming in, which adds insult to injury if it is truly a toxic environment.


or they create "employee working groups" to come up with social events to address the "culture problem."
Anonymous
Post 12/05/2018 15:49     Subject: we had to take a survey at work - one question asked if we look forward to work, every morning
"I look forward to work because at last I can goof off and surf DCUM without my kids bother me..."
Anonymous
Post 12/05/2018 15:48     Subject: Re:we had to take a survey at work - one question asked if we look forward to work, every morning
I enjoy much job (government lawyer) very much and look forward to it every morning, or just about.

However, if I won the lottery, would I stay? I don't know. I might feel obligated to do something like legal aid, but I wouldn't enjoy it as much or be as good at it as I am at my current job.
Anonymous
Post 12/05/2018 14:48     Subject: Re:we had to take a survey at work - one question asked if we look forward to work, every morning
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I feel like the question needs to be the exact opposite. My current job is a good one, and I like it, but I'm here because they pay me not because I love it. I've had jobs, though, that I was physically sick to my stomach as I drove to work and walked in. That's how much I hated my boss and the role. THAT, in my mind, is what they need to uncover. Not just how many people like their jobs, but how many truly and absolutely are miserable for a range of reasons.


I agree with this. That survey sounds misguided. It's not the role of an employer to entertain people. After all, they're paying people to come in and do a job. But it is the responsibility of the employer to maintain an environment in which people can actually do the jobs they're getting paid to do without being harassed, bullied, made ill, etc.

Usually, when surveys like that start cropping up, it's because there's a toxic environment. But instead of actually addressing the toxicity, they focus on the frivolous, surface-level stuff. It's sort of like there might be a bully of a manager who demeans and belittles people daily, but instead of actually firing the manager,the employer will create "ice cream Fridays!" and declare that they want their employees to look forward to coming to work and think they're improving morale. So all that achieves is making employees feel pressured to PRETEND they look forward to coming in, which adds insult to injury if it is truly a toxic environment.


This is OP - and yeah, I see that! We don't have a toxic working environment but there are some prickly people (I work with some of them but overall it's ok). I agree that the survey kind of gets it backwards. I don't know - it's just such a strange question to ask of an employee. I work there - it's not my baby. I didn't start the org! And even if I did, I wouldn't expect to wake up every day excited to go to work. I don't even feel that way when I wake up to work on my books, which I do not have to write in order to pay my mortgage, but I take on because I feel an urge to tell stories (and some people seem to like reading those stories - find me in your local bookstore, please. Please!).

Anonymous
Post 12/05/2018 14:41     Subject: Re:we had to take a survey at work - one question asked if we look forward to work, every morning
Anonymous wrote:I feel like the question needs to be the exact opposite. My current job is a good one, and I like it, but I'm here because they pay me not because I love it. I've had jobs, though, that I was physically sick to my stomach as I drove to work and walked in. That's how much I hated my boss and the role. THAT, in my mind, is what they need to uncover. Not just how many people like their jobs, but how many truly and absolutely are miserable for a range of reasons.


I agree with this. That survey sounds misguided. It's not the role of an employer to entertain people. After all, they're paying people to come in and do a job. But it is the responsibility of the employer to maintain an environment in which people can actually do the jobs they're getting paid to do without being harassed, bullied, made ill, etc.

Usually, when surveys like that start cropping up, it's because there's a toxic environment. But instead of actually addressing the toxicity, they focus on the frivolous, surface-level stuff. It's sort of like there might be a bully of a manager who demeans and belittles people daily, but instead of actually firing the manager,the employer will create "ice cream Fridays!" and declare that they want their employees to look forward to coming to work and think they're improving morale. So all that achieves is making employees feel pressured to PRETEND they look forward to coming in, which adds insult to injury if it is truly a toxic environment.
Anonymous
Post 12/05/2018 14:36     Subject: Re:we had to take a survey at work - one question asked if we look forward to work, every morning
Anonymous wrote:Not EVERY morning, but most. I would answer yes. For me, it's about enjoying the people I work with (I screen carefully for this when I interview) and having some work that is actually challenging. If I have those two I am good. And yes... I think if I won the lottery I would still work. I would probably work for myself (start a business or become a PE investor), but I would definitely work.


This is OP: I would still do some work, too. I have a side life as a novelist; I would definitely keep doing that. It's very hard and very rewarding (though not very remunerative). I would donate to the org I now work for, and would consult with them or sit on the board.
NASAguy
Post 12/05/2018 14:32     Subject: we had to take a survey at work - one question asked if we look forward to work, every morning
Anonymous wrote:said no one ever.

(Except if management knows who filled out which survey.)


Not true. I know many engineers and scientists who love working at NASA. I would continue to work here if I won the lottery as would many others here.

That said, there are tons of people in regular bureaucratic jobs (project support specialists, admins, management, HR, finance, etc) here who are right there with you.
Anonymous
Post 12/05/2018 12:42     Subject: Re:we had to take a survey at work - one question asked if we look forward to work, every morning
Not EVERY morning, but most. I would answer yes. For me, it's about enjoying the people I work with (I screen carefully for this when I interview) and having some work that is actually challenging. If I have those two I am good. And yes... I think if I won the lottery I would still work. I would probably work for myself (start a business or become a PE investor), but I would definitely work.
Anonymous
Post 12/05/2018 12:13     Subject: Re:we had to take a survey at work - one question asked if we look forward to work, every morning
I feel like the question needs to be the exact opposite. My current job is a good one, and I like it, but I'm here because they pay me not because I love it. I've had jobs, though, that I was physically sick to my stomach as I drove to work and walked in. That's how much I hated my boss and the role. THAT, in my mind, is what they need to uncover. Not just how many people like their jobs, but how many truly and absolutely are miserable for a range of reasons.
Anonymous
Post 12/05/2018 10:55     Subject: Re:we had to take a survey at work - one question asked if we look forward to work, every morning
Anonymous wrote:No. I like my job a lot, I think it's the best job I could have in a world where I have to work for pay. But if I won the lottery I would be gone. The world is amazing and full of things to see and do, whether that's sleeping or taking a class or walking in the woods or volunteering or traveling or ....

My dog walker appears to be (my best guess) independently wealthy and just walks dogs for fun. In my post-lottery future I could see doing that for a couple hours a day, but not more.


My dog walker is securely retired and just walks dogs for the fun and exercise and to see people around the neighborhood.
Anonymous
Post 12/05/2018 10:54     Subject: we had to take a survey at work - one question asked if we look forward to work, every morning
said no one ever.

(Except if management knows who filled out which survey.)
Anonymous
Post 12/05/2018 10:53     Subject: Re:we had to take a survey at work - one question asked if we look forward to work, every morning
No. I like my job a lot, I think it's the best job I could have in a world where I have to work for pay. But if I won the lottery I would be gone. The world is amazing and full of things to see and do, whether that's sleeping or taking a class or walking in the woods or volunteering or traveling or ....

My dog walker appears to be (my best guess) independently wealthy and just walks dogs for fun. In my post-lottery future I could see doing that for a couple hours a day, but not more.
Anonymous
Post 12/05/2018 10:44     Subject: we had to take a survey at work - one question asked if we look forward to work, every morning
Anonymous wrote:I had one, years ago. I worked at a classic circa-late '90s dot-com startup. The pace was so fast we were given almost complete autonomy and encouraged to be as creative as possible. Espresso machine, catered lunches, foosball table, the works. It was a blast for a single person in her 20s.

Since then? No.


This is OP - and that actually sounds like it shares elements with the job I had before this one! We had a nap room in the office (though I was always too busy to use it). That sort of thing. There were also many bust and boom cycles, with layoffs every time we got bought or sold. I never got laid off but a lot of my coworkers and friends did.
Anonymous
Post 12/05/2018 10:36     Subject: we had to take a survey at work - one question asked if we look forward to work, every morning
I had one, years ago. I worked at a classic circa-late '90s dot-com startup. The pace was so fast we were given almost complete autonomy and encouraged to be as creative as possible. Espresso machine, catered lunches, foosball table, the works. It was a blast for a single person in her 20s.

Since then? No.
Anonymous
Post 12/05/2018 10:21     Subject: we had to take a survey at work - one question asked if we look forward to work, every morning
I laughed. My job is a boring position with a terrific nonprofit. We do very good work - and my job is suuuper dull. So no, survey designer - I do not look forward to work every morning.

Anyway, But it made me wonder: Are there any jobs that people actually do look forward to going to every morning? Like if you won the lottery you'd still volunteer to stay at your job? I had a pretty sexy job before this one - it was a lot of fun, it was pretty high profile - and even that one I didn't look forward to every morning. I'd still have rather gone kayaking or to the movies or something, most days, given the choice.