Why Excellent Employee-ism Is Sick

My closest friends are, by and large, excellent employees. I am the sole odd-bod. They turn up on time, do what they're supposed to do all day, clock off 8 hours later (unless they're doing some overtime), see themselves doing this for the next 30-40 years, and don't have any problem with any of that. "That's the contract. That's what you sign to in return for your pay packet," they explain to me in exasperation.

All the potential consequences not mentioned in that contract - stress, exhaustion, damaged health, wasted relationships, weakened sense of self, dissatisfaction and lack of fulfilment - are entirely separate issues as far as they are concerned. If you do develop significant problems in any of those areas, well, that's a personal issue, to be dealt with on a personal level. Get a grip. Snap out of it. Deal with it. Accept it. Go to your doctor and get some anti-depressants. Or some counselling maybe. Or some vitamins. Do more exercise, in your own time. Fit your relationships round your work better. Improve your time management skills. Or, ultimately, leave if you just can't cut it.

The job description as it stands, the workplace environment, culture and expectations are all sacrosanct. The individual has to adapt, or die (metaphorically rather than literally, obviously. Although...).

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