Being A Professional & Being Replaceable

avatar

20211219_064838_0000.png



While working as a literature tutor many years ago, I was constantly on deductions, it was either paying penalties being late, or coming in 10 minutes late after my break, speaking to a clientele in a way that seemed to violate the rules, which affected the terms and conditions of the job, or being fined because of an unseaming situation where it looks like one is fraternizing with a co-worker or being even having to share a smile with a female student, all these attracted a lot of fine and before the end of the month, 30% of one's salary was already gone due to some rules that you inadvertently violated without having the intentions to do so.

Now, after I left the job, I discovered that these violations weren't really about instilling company's policies on the workers, it was about making sure you didn't fully earn what you're actually supposed to go get. On paper, they offer you a salary that feels decent but in their books, they already know the laws you'll violate no matter how careful you are, and so they end up paying you far less, it's all employer's tactical ingenuity.

To Disempower Or To Demonitize?

Of course, company laws are normal, this is always the mindset of a prospective employee, However when you're in already, they tend to twist some of these rules to prey on your weakness and cheat you off of your money. Some of these jobs employ people they can easily get rid of, this means that all their workers are expendable.

If a particular worker is bringing in an effort they're making sure they can actually replace you anytime, hence they're always trying to create a sense of rivalry; competition. In Nigeria, it's difficult to get a job profession that's indispensable, this is because for every job opportunity, let's say as a banker for example, there are Over 200 people vying for a particular position. However, many people are bringing manpower, having a degree that backs up profession but sadly don't have a skill that's jobs or companies can kill for.


Most times, people vying for jobs are always the problem, they always fail to create the mental possibility that they might be sacked and hence have another thing on the side.


So once your wages can equally pay another person, then you're on a leash. Since you're qualified on paper as the next employer, it makes these organizations invest in their business more and create a flexible situation where every worker can be replaced within a twinkling of an eye.

This is why they enforce laws and rules which you're very much likely to violate, it's a much more legal way of scamming. Most people opt to be professional on paper, but I'll tell you something. Having a profession is different from having a skill, a profession can be bought, a skill can also be bought, but more; it is garnered through learning and experience and one of the advantages of having a skill is that you don't need a company to activate its usefulness unlike a profession.


Better Than The Next


Most Nigerian jobs are tantamount to slavery and this is because, your last job is, somehow, always better than your next. This seems totally absurd on the surface, but it's very true. This phenomenon is why growth is hardly possible. Many people are working in very terrible conditions, but they've tried other prospects, and it taught them a bitter lesson. Why is this? Private sectors in Nigeria are the worst. This again seconds the idea that making money isn't about working hard and hence people should build more guile instead of more muscle, Most people are stuck in 9 to 5 without understanding these situational occurrences.

One thing is, hard work is currently dynamic, and it's more about what you can conceptualize irrespective of space or time. I have come to realize that the future of money making is being redefined, many are beginning to see a different path, while others are not. A profession should guide one to have an indispensable skill that could fetch them income even though they're not being bankrolled by a formal organization.


Replaceable At Any Slightest Provocation?


At the end of the day, it's very interesting to see how coy some of these organizations have become. So if you are replaceable, what makes you think they wouldn't hesitate to replace at any slightest provocation? Covid-19 for example was the slightest provocation that most of these organizations actually needed to sack people. Some are being asked to take am unreasonable pay cut that would be very difficult to sustain them.

In Nigeria, we have more graduates without skills, the vibes and the concepts. Instead of trying to establish themselves, they're vying for the honeypot of wealth. One thing is, people needs to stop giving private sectors the power of replacing them so easily. When everyone vies to become their own person, man power would be scarce and this is the only way private organization can respect and pay people what they outrightly deserve and even better.



Interested in some more of my works?


People & Assets: A Probable Investment?

Emotions: The Impressions & Expression

War-torned (An Original Poem)

Sunk Cost On Limited Resources & Time

Crypto: An Aspect Into Personal Finance



FB_IMG_1602619272142-01.jpeg


My name is @Josediccus, a young Nigerian entrepreneur who is a Vlogger, A Psychologist, Poet, Sports Writer/Analyst & Personal Finance Coach. I'm using my contents as a process to create shared meaning as well as create expressions through which people on/off hive can relate. I believe content is a process to be enjoyed and relished and I'm up for any collaborations in my field stated above. Cheers


@Josediccus, your brother-in-pen & heart


I'm hoping to reach more people who are broken at heart and spirit, so share on any platform or reblog


My Twitter handle

Posted Using LeoFinance Beta



0
0
0.000
16 comments
avatar

It'd be very unusual for a company to be able to fine its employees in the UK particularly for the misdemeanours you've discussed above. However, I have spent some time working outside the UK and have seen similar practices in offices across South East Asia.

You are probably right, it's a bit of shake down by the company to not pay the full wage but it's also bad man management. Hopefully, companies in Nigeria will wake up to the fact that having happy, motivated employees is actually a major advantage to their business!

0
0
0.000
avatar

Hopefully, companies in Nigeria will wake up to the fact that having happy, motivated employees is actually a major advantage to their business!

I doubt they would, simply because they would attain more economic of scales with their disloyalty. Plus the rate of unemployment makes it easier for them to actually get away with what they're doing.

Posted Using LeoFinance Beta

0
0
0.000
avatar

Nice one buddy. I really love this topic you talked about because I am a living example.. studying and working makes me more informative and I went advance in working for my company which at 1st was thinking I am irreplaceable. But when I went back to school it came to my notice that two guys took up the work I was doing alone which they never even felt I left the place at all. But while I was still there back then they were like telling me there is no one that could do the work like I do restricting me to different things and not having time for my self..happy Sunday bro.

0
0
0.000
avatar

It's crazy, no one is indispensable at whatever job, unemployment makes everyone dispensable, except that job actually belongs to your family or friends

Posted Using LeoFinance Beta

0
0
0.000
avatar

Exactly even judging from the way you will be treated when you become more useful to the job. You will become fixed that you wil have no other time to setup you life.. I was so pissed and had to leave the job alone and face my life squarely.

0
0
0.000
avatar

This is a serious problem in Nigeria, not paying full wages and using dubious act to make sure of that is not only in Nigeria company but also in smaller jobs. I remember when I worked as a bar man few years ago every month my pay is not always up to half of what my wages suppose to be but I had no choice then

Posted using LeoFinance Mobile

0
0
0.000
avatar

I can relate to your story, it's definitely crazy to see how one never gets paid completely because of all the stupid deductions at one's place of work. I'm glad you got rid of the job.

Posted Using LeoFinance Beta

0
0
0.000
avatar

Well there are laws regarding minimum wage and what they can actually fire you for in the US but I don't think it will really do much because the employer is allowed to fire anyone at any point in time so long as they give you an advance notice. I do think people need to rethink how valuable they are to their jobs because we really aren't that important. If they can save money, they most likely will even if it involves the legal system.

Posted Using LeoFinance Beta

0
0
0.000
avatar

The fact is, unemployment in a huge sector, makes People lose that invaluabity when it comes to their jobs. Over here, these jobs maintain that arbitration to sack and relieve people without notice, some don't even pay for the job you've earlier done.

Posted Using LeoFinance Beta

0
0
0.000
avatar

That minimum wage in US for some jobs can be reduced to well below said wage. Supposedly tips are supposed to at a certain level so then the employer can pay based on this supposed level. If your tips don't make up the difference the employer just says oops and adjusts your paycheck afterwards thus you still retain that loss made during that time.

This isn't the case in every state I live in WA where even if do earn tips the employer still has to pay you minimum wage. So bar tending or waiting tables here is better then in places like Georgia or Florida.

Farmers also have something similar to adjust minimum wage downwards not sure what it is though so can't really comment other then mentioning it exists. Of course then you get into the Gig economy jobs where there is no minimum wage at all. How many restaurants have turned to door dash instead of handling delivers themselves? Less wage pay and more delivery access thus more sales, yea corporate america.

0
0
0.000
avatar

Yes that is the case with most states where people have to pay minimum wage. It's a free market economy for the most part so businesses will obviously opt for the cheapest option to keep profit margins higher.

As for minimum wage not being enough, I find that it has more to deal with the supply chain issues. People still aren't cutting back their spending and until they do, prices will not go back down. After all if you got very little money to spend, you won't buy misc. crap.

Posted Using LeoFinance Beta

0
0
0.000
avatar

This is why they enforce laws and rules which you're very much likely to violate, it's a much more legal way of scamming

This is funny, but actually is the truth. All these laws are there to curb money from worker without them really knowing.

In Nigeria, they say we should try and be better but honestly it going to get worse because of the government, our economy, and also the youths.

The government is getting bad everyday that basically, they leave jobs meant for people who are qualified for it and actually reserve it for themselves (they leave it empty and keep pocketing the salary in their pocket and functions meant to done is not available). I can tell from experience.

The economy, it getting worse, the currency is just not helping matters and debts are increasing at a fast rate. The youths, are breaking out, growing up to be independent and also being a boss of their own.

Your post talks about the obvious and brings to light how employer basically make life harder for employees, but it is not suppose to be.

I enjoyed reading your post ☺️. BTW merry Christmas in advance😁. Hehehe

0
0
0.000
avatar

Thanks it's basically behavioural economics as well as practical personal finance. Some of these issues I mentioned are red hot and actually affecting virtually everyone.
Like you said, the economy is getting way worse than we actually know and it's so crazy to see how terrible it's become.
I like talking about these issues to enlighten and educate

Posted Using LeoFinance Beta

0
0
0.000
avatar

Congratulations @josediccus! You have completed the following achievement on the Hive blockchain and have been rewarded with new badge(s):

You published more than 3600 posts.
Your next target is to reach 3700 posts.

You can view your badges on your board and compare yourself to others in the Ranking
If you no longer want to receive notifications, reply to this comment with the word STOP

To support your work, I also upvoted your post!

Check out the last post from @hivebuzz:

Christmas Challenge - Offer a gift to to your friends
Support the HiveBuzz project. Vote for our proposal!
0
0
0.000
avatar

Yes, they set you up to fail! That is their goal. Here in the US many companies have what they call an Employee Assistance Program. It's rubbish. Just a way to cover their behinds and say that they tried to help us keep our jobs. I have made the choice now to only ever use my degree and skills as a freelancer. I made the mistake of trusting and making use of the company's resources. Another thing that people need to learn is that your coworkers are NOT your friends. Watch your back because they want whatever you have. Yes, you can say I am cynical and jaundiced. But that doesn't make what they do any less real.

0
0
0.000
avatar

About 50 to 100 years ago here in America, things were really bad for workers. They had a company store that would supply the worker with clothing, food, bed, and tools. At the end of every week, the worker would normally owe more than they earned.
There was a lot of violence and labor unions were formed and even more violence. Now unskilled entry-level workers can make up to $15 an hour.

0
0
0.000