The “obvious” answer to problems that highly-paid high-level management can’t solve (and likely they themselves caused) is to hire a highly-paid consultant who will agree with said management that low-level employees are the “obvious” problem. The solution the consultant (con + insult) advises is to suffocate efficiency with business models using lots of Japanese terms, and to constrict work flow with “lean manufacturing principles” that allow little flexibility in emergencies.
In no time at all, everybody will be fuming and work systems that have worked fine for years will melt down. In metaphor, the atmosphere of Venus — high temperature, crushing pressure, extremely toxic — will be attained. And the consultant will leave richer and go on to “improve” his next company victim.
And long-time employees will take early retirement. Young employees will find better jobs elsewhere. But mid-range employees will be marooned on the hostile work planet, marking their calendars as to years until retirement.
The best time to look for a new job is when you still have one.
I’ve actually used a version of “toxic work environment” as the reason I was seeking new employment. “When I joined the company, it was a good match, but since it was bought out and there was a change in management, the corporate culture changed and we are no longer compatible.”
I learned to shake my fist in my pocket, do my job, bide my time, and look for a better place to work. What I can’t stand are workers (and they’re on all levels on the job) who don’t have the decency to put in a notice that they’re leaving for greener pastures.
seanfear over 2 years ago
true – still though sometimes people need the money shrug
Cornelius Noodleman over 2 years ago
My uncle works at the dump, that’s pretty toxic. And on top of that the word toxic has an X in it.
PraiseofFolly over 2 years ago
The “obvious” answer to problems that highly-paid high-level management can’t solve (and likely they themselves caused) is to hire a highly-paid consultant who will agree with said management that low-level employees are the “obvious” problem. The solution the consultant (con + insult) advises is to suffocate efficiency with business models using lots of Japanese terms, and to constrict work flow with “lean manufacturing principles” that allow little flexibility in emergencies.
In no time at all, everybody will be fuming and work systems that have worked fine for years will melt down. In metaphor, the atmosphere of Venus — high temperature, crushing pressure, extremely toxic — will be attained. And the consultant will leave richer and go on to “improve” his next company victim.
And long-time employees will take early retirement. Young employees will find better jobs elsewhere. But mid-range employees will be marooned on the hostile work planet, marking their calendars as to years until retirement.
(Yeah, it’s a true story…)
FreyjaRN Premium Member over 2 years ago
I did.
Troglodyte over 2 years ago
What exactly would Aunty “Acid” contribute to make the environment less toxic?!
dflak over 2 years ago
The best time to look for a new job is when you still have one.
I’ve actually used a version of “toxic work environment” as the reason I was seeking new employment. “When I joined the company, it was a good match, but since it was bought out and there was a change in management, the corporate culture changed and we are no longer compatible.”
jango over 2 years ago
Love Canal fer instance
Strider Keninginne Premium Member over 2 years ago
I learned to shake my fist in my pocket, do my job, bide my time, and look for a better place to work. What I can’t stand are workers (and they’re on all levels on the job) who don’t have the decency to put in a notice that they’re leaving for greener pastures.
old_geek over 2 years ago
Love that computer monitor.