Dan Antion

Greener Grass? – 1LinerWeds

Last month, I read an article at the Tech Republic news site that said “Most employees plan to quit this year.” It went on to offer guidance under the heading of “What HR Leaders Need to Know.”

The article quoted statistics, based on a survey that struck me as having an anemic sample size, including:

A global survey of 750 professionals by HR software company Leapsome found that 82% of full-time employees plan to change jobs in the next 12 months, with nearly half (46%) planning to do so within the next six months. Of those employees planning to quit, 77% cited their company’s performance review process as a major contributing factor, with compensation and benefits (76%) and work-life balance (74%) also ranking highly.

Tech Republic

Running the risk of having this labeled an “OK Boomer” post, let me push my grizzled old self to the keyboard and say: “Maybe 80% of employees don’t know how good they have it.” (Sorry, that’s not my one-liner, I’m only 165 words into this).

Bear with me while I step into the forbidden land of math.

Let’s assume that the 20% of employees who aren’t changing jobs have good jobs, make enough money or feel they have work and life teetering near a balance point. That means the other 80% are going to go from what they consider a bad job to what someone else considers to be a bad job.

That’s probably always been the case. The job I had for the final 31 years of my career began in a similar kind of switch. I was a consultant with an ongoing engagement at a small insurance company, supporting their networking and systems development operations (computer stuff). I worked alongside their Director of Information Services for almost two years. The guy was unhappy with his job, and, as was often the case, his boss bringing in a consultant didn’t make him feel any better. I tried to make the best of it.

My regular working hours were 8:30 to 5:30. The insurance company had flex-time and the IT Director worked 7:30 to 3:30. I had to be at his office at 7:30 (accommodate the client). We would work all day, then he would go home but I had to go back to my office.

One day, having had enough of the insurance company’s “poor treatment,” “lack of respect,” “ridiculous demands on his time,” he resigned. I was asked to help the company write a job description for his replacement. I turned it in along with an application.

A week later, I was attending (still as a consultant) New Employee Orientation. There was a representative from each department in the room. At some point, they explained their department’s role in the operation. The man I was replacing, working out his two-weeks’ notice, talked about Information Services. The meeting was being run by the Vice President of Engineering. He was introducing all the new hires as well as the speakers. When he got to me, he referred to the IT guy – let’s call him Bob. He laughed as he said.

“Most of my colleagues know Dan. He’s been here for almost two years as a consultant. He’s replacing Bob, who is leaving to begin a consulting career. That means one of them is making a mistake.”

I don’t know about Bob but, as I said, I stayed for 31 years. During that time, I had my share of bad days, but having previously worked for three companies and visited 50-100 others as a consultant, I never thought my particular misery was any worse than what I’d find somewhere else.

This post is part of Linda G. Hill’s fun weekly series One-Liner Wednesday. If you have a one-liner, and would like to join in on the fun, you can follow this link to participate and to see the one-liners from the other participants.

Looking east as I begin my walk
This Korean dogwood is starting to show some growth
Playground socked in
That’s Slow Joe Crow up there. It’s foggy, but he’s loud
Hyacinth still blooming
I see you
Welcome back Mr. Robin
“The lady usually tosses some peanuts out here”
The rain stopped. The fog remains
Wet foggy day yields some interesting photo opportunities
Let’s get closer
Looking east as I begin my walk
This guy survived the winter and the recent spring clean-up crew
Hi Smokey. Yes, I’ll get you some peanuts.
After the fog began to burn off – she’s still there


If you like magical realism with suspense, action and a bit of family sarcasm, you will enjoy these books:

Knuckleheads
The Evil You Choose
When Evil Chooses You

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90 comments

  2. I’d have to get on my well-worn soapbox to comment on your narrative, so I’ll just say that those fog drips are wonderful! And the hyacinths! We don’t have such color yet, so those are a real treat.

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    • I enjoy listening to you from your soapbox, Maureen. I’m glad you like the photos. I am surprised the bunnies are leaving the hyacinths alone (there might be a nest under there) because they’re chomping on the tulips. In any case, it’s good to see the color.

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  3. I love those photos, especially the close up of the reflection in the rain drops on the buds.

    As to work/ grass greener your ‘One Liner?” I agree wholeheartedly it’s all very relative to who is involved. Our eldest and youngest have jobs with big American firms who expect the earth, moon and your soul …they have their moans, our middle son works dealing face to face with the public he takes abuse daily …they beef with each other , they compare but they carry on because they have to , the alternative could be worse.
    Don’t get me wrong they’ve all moved jobs and improved themselves but for now they know what’s good for them.

    Try this “wordy ” for me one liner, the boys and hubby on what’s app!

    One-Liner Wednesday: Family communications.

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  4. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt both as an employee and the head of HR. I think sometimes the work just gets old, you get grumpy, and the next place looks more exciting and rewarding. In most cases, it’s just a change in surroundings. Working in HR, it is like trying to grab hold of a fast moving revolving door. It makes my head ache just to thing about it, and I’m glad I’m retired from it. :-) Nice photos, I especially like the rain drops and the flowers.

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  6. The water drops shots are awesome… while hyacinths and robins are sure signs of spring. 🙂
    As for the workforce, I’m a little tired of people saying they have to find a job that excites them and they’re passionate about. Sometimes a good job is just a good job, you do it to pay the bills. Not many of us are lucky enough to have both.

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    • The best advice I ever had was from the best boss I ever had. “Your job is what you do to finance your life. Don’t ever confuse the two.”

      I love walking in the fog. Seeing those little drops hanging on was a bonus. I’m glad you liked the photo.

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  7. Ah, good ole unrepresentative, insufficient sample size to sound the Chicken Little alarm and make ill-advised “data-based” decisions.

    I love today’s group of photos, particularly the water drops. That has to be the fattest robin I’ve ever seen. Smoky is so obviously in begging mode, it’s hilarious!

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  8. I didn’t plan to quit my job in corporate America. I was replaced just before retirement age after 15 years at that job doing GIS and graphics by someone younger who knew less, and they paid less. I was offered a severance package with a clause in it saying if I complained about age or sex discrimination, I would not get the severance package. I took the money and had a vacation. I now have much less social security than I should have. Do I sound bitter? I am.
    I love the sunset and raindrops. Hi Smokey.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • I’d say you have a right to be bitter. I was fortunate, but I also stuck with my employer when it looked like they were about to turn the lights out for good. All I know is work isn’t what work was. I’m glad you like the photos.

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  9. Loved the variety of photos, Dan, and I found your work history and thoughts on that very interesting. My experience when I worked full-time in an office (four journalism jobs) was mostly good-to-great coworkers and mostly bad-to-awful bosses. Probably a similar experience to many. :-)

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  10. It seems that in this economy, whether you “like” your job or not, you should be happy to have a job that supports you and perhaps a family and hopefully includes health insurance and paid vacations/sick leave. I think the ‘dream job” is just that…a dream. I really liked my job but had to retire early to become my mom’s caregiver. Still, I’m happy to be retired!

    Beautiful sunrise and foggy shots. LOVE the raindrops, the chubby Robin, and the peek-a-boo squirrel. Of course, Smokey isn’t even embarrassed about begging for peanuts. Like he doesn’t know he’ll get them anyway! Hyacinths are a lovely burst of colors.
    Ginger

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    • My dream job was one I could look back on in retirement having not hated it. Phew, I made it.

      The animals are waking up and greeting the day (i.e. begging) earlier. I think spring is here, Ginger and I’m happy to see it. Smokey knows what he’s doing, and we indulge him.

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  12. By the time I retired, I was both the senior person in age and in my department. I had been through so many ‘bodies’ that it almost became a source of enjoyment to see who would leave and who would stay. I got out in the nick of time, though–right before Covid when things got really nuts.
    The photos are beautiful, Dan. The raindrops (!!!), the sunrise (!!!) and little Smokey. He is so adorable how he talks about ‘the lady.’ And those tiny hands…my heart melts.

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    • I got out before Covid, too, Lois and I was very glad that I did. I was always able to work from home when necessary. I took advantage of that option, but I definitely preferred being in the office. I’m glad you like the photos. Smokey is adorable, and he knows how to work that charm.

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  15. Fog certainly provides for unique photo ops, as does some “well-placed” water. I like the occasional foggy, rainy day because it allows you to view your surroundings in a totally different light…by having very little light! I’ll bet Slow Joe Crow is pretty loud, Dan. At least he’s got a great view of things…once the fog lifts. As for work, Mrs. Chess and I have always agreed the grass was not necessarily – or even likely – to be greener on the other side. Still, sometimes people need to maneuver sideways in their career in order to move forward, and if for that reason I am all for changing jobs. That being said, I think there is a movement among younger workers right now that they’ll automatically be able to – and should – switch jobs every couple of years. My opinion is that is a concerning view to take as the economy and the workforce it requires is quite fluid these days. (That VP of Engineering’s observation was lol!)

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    • I’m glad you like the photos, Bruce. Changing jobs to move up or over when you’re in an environment where that isn’t possible, is a good thing. I did that at least once. I also moved coast-to-coast twice long before remote work was a possibility. I find the survey “results” somewhat suspect. IT is a very large industry to be represented by ~350 people.

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  16. The beginning of your sunrise walk looked gorgeous as do those water drops.

    I’m in the camp that believes when the grass starts looking greener somewhere else it’s time to start tending your own lawn!
    That was a very small Global Poll.

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  18. Great share, Dan, and thought-provoking. I spent more than 30 years in Higher Ed administration. It’s a world unto itself and has the complexities of a struggling city. I’m not sure about a one-liner, but I kept my focus on the students and ignored the ever-present political divides. 😊

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    • Oh my goodness, Gwen. I can only imagine Higher Ed from one nearly catastrophic engagement I worked on with a major university and its medical school. I never took an engagement in that industry again. Technology is not a monolithic industry. The idea that such a small sample can predict anything reliably seems crazy to me. I’m not sure how some companies survive the social and political forces, when they speak to those issues to the press and through contributions.

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  21. Way back in 1981 I started working at a major hospital in Denver. I didn’t have any medical skills, but none were needed in the patient business office. After working there a little under 3 years, I put out my feelers for a different position within the hospital thinking I deserved more. Everyone wanted me to stay put, I guess. I started looking at other opportunities in the Denver area. I did find some, but none had the benefit package that I had grown accustom to during the last three years. I had gone so far as to pay for guidance on how to negotiate for a better job. Although I didn’t find that better job, I’m still happy with the thought that I paid for that instruction. It gave me the confidence I had been lacking. I ended up staying put and creating more for the job I had, which got me a promotion a year later.

    Why aren’t people thinking things through before they jump out of the frying pan?

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    • I hear about a lot of dissatisfied people. I think the issues driving that dissatisfaction grew in intensity during the pandemic, and people are used to that pace of change. Companies want to move back to “normal” some employees expect to continue changing. I don’t see how it’s sustainable. I’m happily retired.

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  24. I, too, was a consultant hired by my client. I worked as a consultant for two years and then was hired because “such sensitive work” should not be done by consultants. I finished my work life there (15 years later) I have to agree that working in a company has its challenges, but I worked for three in my life (5,22, and 15 years) and found each offered opportunity for which I am grateful.

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  25. That water droplet on the tree is exquisite! They make it me think of something I’m not quite sure I’ve got yet but I’m working on it. I agree with you people don’t know how good they have it. Sometimes it’s awful and sometimes it’s just not appreciated.

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    • People also fail to consider how they might have to change, Pam. Sometimes, being happier at your job means you need to change something within yourself. Maybe prepare for a new challenge or just change with the times and adapt. I was particularly pleased with those water drops. If you can work with them, feel free.

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  26. Listening to friends who are still working, I’m very glad to be retired but also thankful that for most of my 44 years, I was content with the people I worked with and the work I did. Not taking into account the politics of government, of course. THAT I had to let go of on more than one occasion. 😉

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  27. People can be so clueless with their comments! When I was a nine to fiver I signed up for every single class I could and volunteered for jobs other people didn’t want (not my job kind of jobs) – as a result I was able to set my own hours which made some awfully miserable jobs bearable. At my last job I knew for six months I was going to be laid off and just hung around for the severance. And I wasn’t alone – talk about bad management!

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    • I did that in the late 90s. We weren’t sure the company was going to survive. they paid us a little extra if we would stay. A little extra pay and a little extra severance, should it become necessary. Fortunately, it didn’t. I think the people I left behind have great jobs. I don’t know what they think, but they’re still there.

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  29. Oh my Dan. I love those water droplets photos and the sunrise! I agree about the work situation. Also, finding tour passion is great but at some point looking for the best in our days has to get us through. These are very bumpy times…

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  31. HI Dan, I certainly agree that generally moving jobs doesn’t really solve your problems as they generally follow you. I have been doing variations of the same job for 25 years now. That is a long time and some aspects of my job bore me to death. Moving jobs to another firm certainly won’t help and moving to a banking institution probably won’t either as I am just tired of working in a corporate environment and spending my days dealing with issues created by other people who don’t know what they are doing. I have decided to just stay where I am and try to make the most of it. I like most of the people and that helps a lot.

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  32. Dan, I enjoyed all the one-liner photos and your captions too. I identified with the squirrels in begging stance – the great expectations pose is the same no matter where you live. I mentioned my 76-year-old boss and no chance of retirement when we first commented on Yvette’s interview post of me. Today I was informed that “I just want to die with my boots on like my Dad did.” I kind of thought he had that mindset – sigh. This year I will have worked for 50 years – I do NOT want to die with my boots on.

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