cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/51867819
this post was submitted on 13 Sep 2026
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Work Reform
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A place to discuss positive changes that can make work more equitable, and to vent about current practices. We are NOT against work; we just want the fruits of our labor to be recognized better.
Our Philosophies:
- All workers must be paid a living wage for their labor.
- Income inequality is the main cause of lower living standards.
- Workers must join together and fight back for what is rightfully theirs.
- We must not be divided and conquered. Workers gain the most when they focus on unifying issues.
Our Goals
- Higher wages for underpaid workers.
- Better worker representation, including but not limited to unions.
- Better and fewer working hours.
- Stimulating a massive wave of worker organizing in the United States and beyond.
- Organizing and supporting political causes and campaigns that put workers first.
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I worked in an industry where 55 hours was normal. Later moved to a company that many employees did 60 a week and some were full on 70-80 hours.
I felt it was life draining. I always championed for no OT, and hire more staff, but the majority of coworkers wanted the insane OT pay.
I changed careers to escape it, and enjoy life more. But some of those guys retired at 50...so there is that ๐ค
Some may have retired at 50, but you never know when life could be cut short. :) Best that you did what was right for you in the moment.
Ya, I worked at a place with 12 hour shifts for well over a decade, often 6 days a week. It was from 7 am to 7 pm day shift, 7 pm to 7 am night shift, and would alternate every two weeks.
It was good money but I missed a lot of my two kids growing up. I wish I could say that at least it got me ahead financially, but my ex spent money like it was going out of style. I probably would have been better off flipping burgers and staying close to home.
I found the same. My ex couldn't grasp me trying to establish a budget, her response was "There's always money in the account, why do we need to budget", I said " The reason there is always money there is I keep putting it there because you are extending into overdraft everyday".
I definetly found that working a lot meant I missed a lot with the kids, when I was off work my whole life was the kids because I knew we were missing moments.
But working OT and endless money also means you make convenience decisions, like: let's just grab $60 of pizza on the way home since we won't have time to prep dinner, meanwhile there's a full fridge of food.
Now that I'm on 40hour WFH, it means dinner can be made for under $5 because I'm home and can pre-simmer a sauce from scratch, or get something roasting ahead of time.