Waiting for the Axe to Drop

[charlygal]

Originally Posted by 2nd trick op

As prevously stated, work is not the issue; I'm within 20 months of "normal" age-66 retirement, have run sideline businesses (taxes and accounting) since the age of 30, and already have some retirement options under study. MY frustration is with the corporate system by which we are all held hostage in a hopleess contest to fawn and smile our way to the top.

Again, what's the problem? YOU clearly stated that you are an introvert. Did you want to work your way to the top? Wouldn't that be a bad fit for you?

Are you upset because you haven't gotten something you never even wanted?

I'm in the corporate system and I don't feel like a hostage at all. I control my career. If I want a position, then I pursue it.

[2nd trick op]

Originally Posted by charlygal

Again, what's the problem? YOU clearly stated that you are an introvert. Did you want to work your way to the top? Wouldn't that be a bad fit for you?

Are you upset because you haven't gotten something you never even wanted?

I'm in the corporate system and I don't feel like a hostage at all. I control my career. If I want a position, then I pursue it.

Allow me to draw a parallel.

Quite a few years ago now, I had a local lawyer as a customer for a sideline tax business, (which a female friend, her mother and I still operate seasonally), and was taking additional courses toward a CPA.

Since I was also working evenings in the warehouse of a local food processor, it was clearly understood that I seldom met directly with clients. I worked upstairs in the law library -- (a "quiet, simple environment" if ever there was one), usually on an autonomous schedule, comfortably, casually, inexpensively and sensibly dressed.

I got several entreaties from both the lawyer and an attached accountant that I could be hired at
more than double what I was making, but it was also clear that all the trappings of a spineless, gutless, emasculated "corporate" lifestyle were part of the deal.

I turned them down cold on several occasions, and abandoned the CPA idea.

Admittedly, I'm an extreme case; I believe that the balance of power in the eternal dispute between prospective employees who want to fit a job around their mode of living, and the corporate manipulators who are their opposite number, has shifted drastically over the past thirty years due to globalization, the further emancipation of women, and other factors, beyond anyone's control.

And at my age and station in life, it doesn't matter much. But somebody needs to speak of for all the older Americans who are being subtly steered toward the "gray job ghetto"; we curmudgeons need someone like Alan Bakke -- the law student who, thought no bigot, tried to put the brakes on a few of the more flagrant excesses of Affirmative Action.

And that is a role I would love to take a part in in later life.

[85rx-7gsl-se]

Originally Posted by 2nd trick op

Allow me to draw a parallel.

Quite a few years ago now, I had a local lawyer as a customer for a sideline tax business, (which a female friend, her mother and I still operate seasonally), and was taking additional courses toward a CPA.

Since I was also working evenings in the warehouse of a local food processor, it was clearly understood that I seldom met directly with clients. I worked upstairs in the law library, comfortably, casually, inexpensively and sensibly dressed.

I got several entreaties from both the lawyer and an attached accountant that I could be hired at
more than double what I was making, but it was also clear that all the trappings of a spineless, gutless, emasculated "corporate" lifestyle were part of the deal.

I turned them down cold on several occasions, and abandoned the CPA idea.

Admittedly, I'm an extreme case; I believe that the balance of power in the eternal dispute between prospective employees who want to fit a job around their mode of living, and the corporate manipulators who are their opposite number, has shifted drastically over the past thirty years due to globalization, the further emancipation of women, and other factors, beyond anyone's control.

And at my age and station in life, it doesn't matter much. But somebody needs to speak of for all the older Americans who are being subtly steered toward the "gray job ghetto"; we curmudgeons need someone like Alan Bakke -- the law student who, thought no bigot, tried to put the brakes on a few of the more flagrant excesses of Affirmative Action.

And that is a role I would love to take a part in in later life.

Good old Bakke. Hadn't heard about him since Con. Law class back in law school.