So you think this job is beneath you?

Anytime there's a contest at a minimum wage job, it seems like whatever corporate baboon who thought of the idea has never actually stepped foot into the establishment they're attempting to manipulate. As out of touch as corporate contests are and no matter how pathetic the 'prize' is, there are still desperate employees who take part in the event. But the real winners, at the end of the day, are always the C-level suit monkeys counting their bonus checks and buying yachts.

It may seem trite to some, but there's a certain point in every employee's life when their fragile work/life balance begins to crumble around them and it starts becoming clear that happiness is more important than money. Whether you're a seasoned C-level at a company or a lowly intern, some jobs just simply aren't worth the emotional damage every day. Sure, we all want to put food on the table, but at what cost? Some of us just need a win… Like the guy in our next story…

Colleagues witness us at our highest points in life and they see us through some of the lowest moments, but the same cannot be said of most employers. While your relationship with your work bestie is a lifeline that has kept many coworkers from quitting on the spot, your relationship with your employer is far more monetized. Unlike your loyal work bestie, your employer may say ‘we’re a family', but their claims are often as hollow as their hearts.

The bane of your existence when working as a desk jockey is going through your emails. As if the toppling towers of Mount Complaint came tumbling down into your inbox, the avalanche of emails never truly ends. The moment you finally reach the mysteriously elusive '0 Unread Messages' banner, a fresh onslaught of notifications pop up to replace it.

Your first job creates a lasting impression on your work life. You learn valuable lessons like how to clock in, be on time, and deal with customers, and although we whittled away our first few paychecks on useless purchases, these worthwhile grains of wisdom stuck with us. What you never expect to learn at your first job, however, is how to garner the expectations of a compassionless, soulless manager.

In some fields, continued education is a requirement. As we all know, knowledge is a powerful thing, so to remain updated and educated in the specificities of your career is to remain at the top of your game in the workplace. With education also being a 'luxurious' expense, this kind of cerebral maintenance isn't something that's prioritized by the beancounters in the backroom.

Time to show some appreciation to our boys with blue collars

Not to be dramatic or anything, but getting fired is a rather traumatizing experience. If it's unwarranted and unexpected, being pink-slipped can make any good worker question their work efficacy, their skills, and it might even make them question their entire life. However, for some employees, the workplace isn't a drama, it's a sitcom– one where the joke is always on you.

As every retail employee knows, shoppers change their persona when they walk into a store. Nobody knows how or why, but even the most benevolent people can transform into feral Karens as soon as they walk in front of a store cashier, pillaging the aisles like there's no tomorrow.

Kids say the darndest things...

Teachers have a lot on their plate. While they're struggling with growing classrooms, more stringent lesson plans, and Karenish moms breathing down their throat, they're essentially expected to raise the next generation of children all on their own– all for measly wages and no 'thank you's. The last thing an overworked teacher needs is a principal demanding busy work from them.

As I get older, it's become clear that some of the things I did when I was younger could be considered a 'mistake'– but in the end, I learned from those failed experiences more than I did my successes. We're human! We all make mistakes. But it's not every day that we're faced with the consequences of a $75k mistake...

Memes that'll find you better than that post-vacation email

It's no secret that minimum wage has been nearly the same for decades, except all of our expenses are getting exponentially higher. Back in the 80's a mom could buy a haul of groceries to feed a family of 4 for a week for $20 and now, couples with only a cat to care for are spending 10x that amount just for basics at Trader Joe's. Hmm… Where did we go wrong here?

First impressions are important in the workplace. If you come off as a quirky weirdo on your first day, it's a tough trope to live down, but innocent awkwardness is to be expected. But sometimes coworkers can sense when someone is more than just a little 'quirky'. In fact, for some new hires, it's pretty clear right off the bat that you're never going to get along… fundamentally. Especially if that dicey, new hire acts like a total creep from the moment they first shake your hand.