The way people work has changed ever since the world experienced COVID-19. Remote work is rising as more people realize that there are better ways to approach work. But flexible work modes aren’t the only thing that have changed.
Major economies in the world also experienced the great resignation. These changes reflect the desires of people for new, improved working conditions.
This begs the question, why are people tired of the corporate world ? Why do people prefer other options to working a predictable 9 to 5?
If you are wondering whether the corporate world is right for you, this article will reveal some reasons why it might not be.
What corporate life looks like
Before going over why the corporate world is depressing, let me paint a picture.
Corporate Jobs are quite similar across the world. You wake in the early hours of the day and commute to an office.
And you can’t be late.
Then you have to play your part as just another wheel pulling the company’s revenue engine along- Another name on payroll.
You play this role for about 9 hours.
You can’t wait to clock out. Finally, it’s that time of the day when you get to go home and you do just that.
And you have to do this for a month!
Benefits of working a corporate Job
Does this mean there are no good aspects of a corporate job?
No it doesn’t. That is why most people just put up with it. Some of these benefits include;
Financial stability
Working a job might not be a lot of fun but it offers a secure salary. You can predict your income and plan future expenses.
Life is much more comfortable when you are sure you can cater for your basic needs.
Prestige comes with big brands
Having an interesting job title at a Major corporation can earn you some respect in society. People tend to see people who work with influential companies as experts.
This recognition can open doors to other opportunities to earn higher income.
Bonuses and other perks
You can earn good money working a corporate job. Companies can pay bonuses, allowances and other perks to staff.
Professional development
Working at a company can give you the opportunity to learn from other coworkers.
You can also learn a lot from the corporate culture and management processes. These are lessons you may not be able to learn as a freelancer or solo entrepreneur.
Companies often invest in training employees, by paying for professional trainings in areas where they feel their employees need to improve.
Why a corporate Job may be bad for you
Although corporate jobs have some benefits, they may not be for everyone for some reasons.
I would look at some of those reasons.
1. Little control over your own time
Corporations pay you for the hours you put into their business. Life is unpredictable, people often face issues that they feel are important and need more attention.
It can be spending time with family, working on your marriage or guiding your kids. The demand your job has on your time may not allow you do any of these.
2. Your career growth doesn’t entirely depend on you
Working in the corporate world also means working with teams to achieve corporate goals.
Organizations have different cultures. They also vary in the ways they assess performance and reward staff.
So, advancing in your career would depend a lot on what other people have to say about you.
3. No real social life
Working a job can significantly reduce the amount of social activities you can partake in. However, this doesn’t happen in all companies. But where it does, corporate employees can find themselves working overtime, skipping time with friends and being unable to fully enjoy social activities.
This can impact your relationships, making you increasingly isolated and lonely.
4. Your compensation may not equal your efforts
Working overtime doesn’t always lead to a fat paycheck. In fact, in some cases, corporate employees are exploited and underpaid.
Some people can negotiate wages with their employers and get better deals but others are not so lucky. So, they have to put up with the misery of watching others profit off the back of their efforts.
If you find yourself in such a situation, you may just not be able to take it anymore.
5. You would miss out on great experiences
There is so much more to life than earning a good income. People who work corporate jobs often have to sacrifice any hopes of crossing several items off their bucket list.
Dreams of travelling abroad, climbing a mountain, skydiving and becoming a pop star
Are abandoned in favour of getting another raise or promotion.
This is sad.
6. You can lose your job
Job security for most people is a myth. Companies downsize all the time and you don’t know if you would be the next person to lose your job.
For those who want some control in their careers, corporate jobs may not be the best way to earn a living.
7. Corporate Jobs can be stressful
This goes without saying. While almost every kind of job can be stressful you usually can’t always chose what kind of projects you work on when you have an employee contract to fulfill.
A freelancer can chose their projects and working hours. This gives them the opportunity to anticipate and manage stress more effectively. Corporate employees don’t have that luxury.
8. Companies care about their ROI more than they care about you
Some good workers realize too late that the companies they work for are more interested in their financial statements than their staff.
Most corporations won’t think twice about laying off their staff if it moves them any closer
To achieving financial targets.
Your health, emotions and expertise mean nothing when compared against financial
targets.
9. You can be replaced
If the situation clearly demands it companies are willing to replace a staff whose services
are no longer relevant or needed.
As the world advances rapidly in technology and investments, workers have to update
their skills to remain relevant and competent.
If you aren’t flexible enough to change with the times, someone else might take your place soon.
Some people can’t deal with this kind of pace.
10. Your coworkers aren’t your family
Despite the efforts of human resource departments and business executives to create an organizational culture that makes everyone feel welcome, your workplace isn’t your home.
You get to realize this fast if you lose your job. The company would probably continue to exist and your coworkers would continue with their careers.
If you worked at a really large corporation some of your ‘coworkers’ might not even know you died. This is sad but true.
People are usually more interested in their paychecks than they are in you.
11. Corporate politics
Corporate politics can benefit some employers who understand how the whole thing works.
But if you don’t have exceptional social skills and don’t know how to play ball you are going to be the victim here.
Don’t get me wrong, corporate politics can be good if done right. It’s just that not everyone can get it right.
12. You might struggle to stay healthy
While working hard to meet corporate objectives, many people forget about their health.
They neglect to exercise and eat a good diet.
These bad habits can damage your health and leave you with a lot of regrets.
Your workplace can also contribute directly to health issues. If you work in risky
Professions that expose you to health hazards you can end up sick with heavy medical
Bills.
Workers at companies that don’t value occupational safety stand a higher risk of
damaging their own health.
13. Working odd hours
One thing most people dislike about working a corporate job is that it often demands
Working outside the normal working hours.
You might not like sacrificing rest to get ahead at work. This is a good reason to seek
alternatives to a corporate job.
14. You can’t find any jobs you like
Corporate cultures in the world vary greatly and as we evolve as a civilization, human beings become more and more sophisticated.
What this means is that it might be difficult to find an organization that resonates with you and fits the kind of lifestyle you want.
15. It can be soul-sucking
When you face stress, uncertainty, undercompensation, bad corporate politics and isolation at your workplace can be exhausting.
It can easily chip away at your motivation and you may find yourself spiralling downwards into depression if you don’t handle it well.
Conclusion
There are many reasons while the corporate world may not be ideal for you but this doesn’t mean that corporate jobs are all bad.
If you have a genuine passion for your job then you should put some effort into finding the perfect working conditions Finding this balance can be the key to a satisfying and rewarding career for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I escape corporate life?
To escape corporate life, you would have to take the following steps;
- Plan your finances in preparation for life without a steady income.
This plan usually involves building savings and deciding how to earn an income in the future.
- Choose how to work and earn.
There are several ways one might earn an income outside the traditional 9 to 5 way of working. You can start a business from home or work freelance.
- Ensure you have the right skills to set out on your own
Starting your own business requires a new set of skills. Thankfully, there are many courses and programmes that can help you with that.
Please take advantage of them. Read good books as well.
- Implement your plan
The next step is to implement your plan for a better life. Go hard and don’t look back until you are living the life of your dreams.
How long should you work a corporate job?
Conventionally, you should stay at a job for at least 2 years if you are interested in getting another job in the future.
However, it all depends on the unique situation in which you find yourself.
How long does it take to get used to a corporate job
It can take anywhere from a month to a year to adjust fully to a new job. But if working conditions are terrible or very different from what you had previously experienced, it might take longer.