Work for free to get promoted? The debate splitting two generations
A 62-year-old retiree advises young people to work unpaid to climb the ladder. The precarious generation's answer: that's exploitation, not investment. A debate that divides.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
Working unpaid overtime: investment or self-exploitation?
A 62-year-old user advised young people to arrive early, sweep up, do unpaid overtime and be submissive with the boss. The response was a flood of criticism. The clash between a culture of extreme effort and the reality of a precarious job market has peine the debate on what really leads to promotion.
The recipe is a classic one: "give 200%, don't let them see you slacking, say you want to move up." But those who received it, many with first-hand experience, responded with skepticism: "The system rewards sucking up over competence," "you'll end up as the unofficial cleaner" and "200% output for 100% of the salary is a recipe for frustration."
Spain's 2012 labour reform was singled out as a turning point: since then, work has become more precarious and promotion opportunities scarcer. Some participants claimed that only their own project, not working for someone else, could lift them out of poverty.
The irony of the thread, which degenerated into insults and identity arguments, doesn't hide the underlying issue: the generational divide over how to build a career. While some defend loyalty and extra effort as an investment, others see a system that exploits good will without reward.
The question left hanging: in a job market where temporary contracts and low wages are the norm, is it still worth playing by last century's rules?
A 62-year-old user advised young people to arrive early, sweep up, do unpaid overtime and be submissive with the boss. The response was a flood of criticism. The clash between a culture of extreme effort and the reality of a precarious job market has peine the debate on what really leads to promotion.
The recipe is a classic one: "give 200%, don't let them see you slacking, say you want to move up." But those who received it, many with first-hand experience, responded with skepticism: "The system rewards sucking up over competence," "you'll end up as the unofficial cleaner" and "200% output for 100% of the salary is a recipe for frustration."
Spain's 2012 labour reform was singled out as a turning point: since then, work has become more precarious and promotion opportunities scarcer. Some participants claimed that only their own project, not working for someone else, could lift them out of poverty.
The irony of the thread, which degenerated into insults and identity arguments, doesn't hide the underlying issue: the generational divide over how to build a career. While some defend loyalty and extra effort as an investment, others see a system that exploits good will without reward.
The question left hanging: in a job market where temporary contracts and low wages are the norm, is it still worth playing by last century's rules?
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Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (12 replies).
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