On April 23 of this year, I walked off the job for the last time and I'm never going back. A few days ago, an article popped up on Zero Hedge that tried to explain why so many people have dropped out of the workforce, the main reason being stimulus checks or extended unemployment benefits. I believe there are other reasons not mentioned in that article based on my own experiences.
Probably the number one reason I quit my job is the excessive taxation of my income. Canada has one of the highest income taxes in the world. I also had to pay excessive insurance fees to be eligible for company benefits. I won't get into the part about how my former employer unilaterally decided back in 2019 to shave our benefits by a full 25% while increasing our dues by as much (you could add this as another reason to quit). I don't want a government that no longer represents me to tax me. Do you feel the same way?
Another big reason I quit... too many chiefs, not enough Indians. Sounds racist, I know but it's the ugly truth of it. Hand a little bit of power to a supervisor or manager and they begin to act like they own the place and sign the paychecks. A few years back, during a bi-yearly review, my then supervisor told me it was 'unacceptable' that I was late once in the previous 6 months. Totally ridiculous! How has your supervisor treated you?
Another big reason I quit... I had to pay to go to work. Yes, do the math. If you're driving back and forth to work, how much are you spending on gas, insurance, maintenance, license renewal, towing. Add it all up and you'll see that you're spending a fortune just to get to work. How much did you pay for that new car or truck? I'll bet your insurance went up. A new car costs about $30,000 of which you might get ten years life out of it. That's $3000 a year plus interest. Add the insurance, gas, maintenance and other fees and you're easily spending $5,000+ a year to go to work. Ask yourself, how much do you have to earn before taxes to pay for this? For many people, that adds up to 3 months. Think about that. Let it sink in. You're working your ass off up to 3 months a year, just to go to work. My partner and I used to have two vehicles. As of June, 2020 we are down to one vehicle. It's paid for and we'll be driving that Rav4 for a few more years to come!
Another big reason I quit... I got really effing tired of my former employer (a billion dollar global company) changing our work hours without any notice or consultation. In the 15 years I worked for this employer, they did this to us numerous times. By the time I quit, they had me starting at 5:45 am. Do you like getting up that early in the morning? I know I don't. We all literally begged the general manager to fix this. It always, always went in one ear and out the other.
Another big reason I quit... I needed their permission to take a day off or a vacation. How many times were you rejected when you asked for a day off? Well, ever since I quit my job in April, I don't look forward to the weekend (or long weekend) because I'm not even paying attention to it. It's a great feeling NOT looking forward to Friday because every day is Friday to me now and I don't need anyone's permission to take time off.
Another big reason I quit... The stress! Need I say more on that subject?
Another big reason I quit... While I worked with some fantastic people over the years, I also worked with some real a-holes. The only reason we know these a-holes is because we work at the same place they do. Otherwise, we'd never have met them. As soon as I walked off the job, they were wiped from my memory. It was an exhilarating and uplifting experience in itself. I won't mention the ass kissers. Share your thoughts about bad co-workers in the comments section.
Another big reason I quit... the traffic!
Another big reason I quit... the effing mask mandates. I wore a mask every day for a year while at work. Masks have been proven long ago to be absolutely useless against viruses. This is a fact and I'm not making this up.
Another big reason I quit... My job took up thousands of hours of my life every year and I couldn't take it anymore. I barely had any time to cook for myself, do the laundry, clean up around the house and yard. Now I have plenty of time and I'm growing the biggest garden I've ever attempted with my newfound freedom. I was always exhausted beforehand. I'm spending my time outdoors and breathing fresh air like I haven't done since I was a kid. I worked indoors all my life so this is a welcome change.
Keep in mind, I did work hard all my life (37 years) and saved so I can quit my job like I did. I've noticed a trend over the last few years how millenials are staying with the parents. I think that's a very good thing. Sharing in the costs of living reduces the amount of time you have to work to pay the bills, thereby allowing you more time to be with the ones you really love the most, your family. Live together instead of apart. One internet connection instead of 4 or 5. One washer and dryer instead of multiple sets. One rent or mortgage instead of 3, 4 or more. One gas bill, one electricity bill, one water bill instead of multiple bills. Share the cost of living and spend more quality time together. You'll own everything and you'll be happy!
Who would you rather spend most of your time with, your co-workers or your family?
Please share your thought in the comments section and subscribe if you enjoy my articles. I love getting replies from like-minded people. Have you quit your job recently or thinking about it? I know it's not easy but it can be done.
Joe has left the building for good!
