Do you think some people just aren't competent and won't fit into any 2022 workplace?

[majellalos]

The skills that are required in so many professions these days don’t come easily or naturally to everyone and most jobs require a fairly advanced level of technological talent and a certain set of social skills that don’t come easily to everyone.

I really am not good at anything and despite being University educated I've struggled to hold down jobs because of performance issues in many jobs since I was 17. I'm 40 now and off ill but before that was doing temp work and agency jobs but just never felt right in any workplace. I'd always make a mess somehow or say the wrong thing.

AIBU to think some folk just aren't made for the workplace?

Kanola doesn't come over as ignorant at all, her last post is clearly taking the piss of people with that type of attitude,

@Kanaloa

In that case, apologies.

Sorry I am a bit touchy. I have worked as an employment specialist in MH services in the past and unfortunately I did hear things like that from employers quite often, sadly.

I think there are jobs that fit. I'm sure there are plenty of jobs I've never heard of out there.
My sister has ASD and she has worked in a government office for years and will retire from there. The sameness and routine suits her. Her bosses have learned her quirks.

I would say try some blue collar jobs. Warehouse work, driving, mechanic, plumbing, road work. Those would have apprenticeships where you learn on the job.

How do people like this manage to pay their bills? Because truth be told 90% of the reason why I can't be like this is because I don't want to end up on the streets with nothing so I've had to 'make it work'. I really dislike being in the office and interacting with colleagues and team work. I generally cannot be bothered with working. I do it so that I can have the kind of life I have. WFH is also one of the best things to ever happen in this world.

Yeah. They usually end up with permanent jobs in the civil service or the local council.

I work for a local authority and reading this thread with a feeling of familiarity (I would say I’m NT but suffer MH issues). WFH makes it all a bit easier but I still get peopled out with endless meetings. And there’s a frustrating lack of clarity and training so I’m permanently outside my comfort zone, I’d give it all up tomorrow if I could. Colleagues think I’m personable and efficient whereas I have massive imposter syndrome and feel like I’m fumbling every day.

I mean the majority of us do work. We just hate it. Lots of people do. And I guess at the worst end of the scale are those type of people who job hop/get sacked a lot/seriously struggle in the workplace.

I have Schizoaffective disorder and so I can only cope with part time work (as a care assistant which I do enjoy). I get PIP which does top up my wages.
I like my job & my colleagues but the issue is despite high doses of medication I get very paranoid easily about what others are thinking & saying especially when tired and or stressed. It's exhausting. If it gets especially bad I can get hallucinations.

I am actually quite a sociable person with good common sense and my manager says I'm good at my job luckily. I like it because it's never boring (I get bored easily) and you get to improve peoples lives.

I do have a degree and I used to have a good career but sadly lost my career when I had a psychotic breakdown and developed my illness. My mental health has been fairly poor ever since. I'm just lucky I can work at all.
I think some people commenting on this thread really have no idea about mental illness.

When I have annual leave if I have nothing to do I get quite depressed so although I struggle to be at work, I think it's good for me.

@VladmirsPoutine

I specifically set up my life to accommodate this. For example, I bought a really cheap house in a cheap area. My car is cheap. My holidays are cheap. Basically my outgoings are as low as they can be whilst also maintaining a suitable standard of living, therefore I do still have to work but I can afford to work on my own terms when I want too.

I also studied for an OU degree which has buffered up my CV to give me options. I still find it absolutely excruciating when I do have to work but I’ve found managed to find the least excruciating option. I am very rich in time.

I think you’re probably right. IT and automatisation (sp?!) are being used to save large companies having to pay people salaries, but it means that the basis skills of a large section of the population are now ‘surplus to requirement’. Yes there are jobs created - tech jobs, to design and fix the machines, but your Average Jo isn’t going to be doing those jobs.

So the more capable in society spend huge amounts of time and money inventing and maintaining systems to deprive the less capable of jobs, and then complain that they are ‘idle’.

We really are screwing each other over fantastically. Don’t you just love capitalism?

Reading with intrigue

@DarkKarmaIlama I think you have it figured out tbh. If you don't mind me asking do you have kids? I don't and one of the reasons is because I know in so far as providing for myself I can but I'd resent having to work because I need to support a family - it would be the undoing of me truth be told. I really like life on my own terms too.

@VladmirsPoutine

I have 3 kids. I had them all very close together in my early 20s whilst I was still quite naive about life. My husband works a job which is 22k per year. It’s low stress and it enables him to be able to spend a lot of time with them. Our kids are older now (teens). He has the same outlook on life as me. Our mortgage is very low as when we bought we made sure we bought the cheapest. Additionally our cars aren’t at all fancy.

My best friend has just had twins and it is so, so much more expensive now to raise them. Society has changed so much in a short space of time. Perhaps just don’t have kids, plenty are choosing that option now and plenty of women live fulfilling and fantastic lives without them. That would be my advice 😉.

I think few are truly unable to work. I think some don't like the idea, some think any minor problem means they shouldn't have to, some don't want to make reasonable adjustments themselves and expect work to fit around their lifestyle choices, their preferences and their children.

Most however do a good day's work and enjoy foing so.

I was always a god-awful employee, despite being academically bright to the point of gifted (scholarships etc). Just never fit in anywhere even though I'd get the interviews and jobs because I could train myself into them, and even though I'm naturally a people-pleasing "go the extra mile" type. I ended up going self-employed and now (through no planning) run a small charity. I always find it funny that our volunteers (inc young adults with autism etc) stick around for literally years (ie seem to like it) - so I'm apparently good at setting up systems etc that other people are happy to work within. Odd.

How do people like this manage to pay their bills?
Family or benefits or job hopping with lots of gaps or adhoc online work, I know a fair few people in this situation, including myself as I went to a school for autistic people and other nds.

Its hard.
Some people have found their niche, in industries and are doing amazing, really hyped for them.

@CaronPoivre

Yep, I certainly get work to fit around my lifestyle choice, preferences and kids. I would disagree with your opinion on most people enjoy doing their work. That’s not my experience from all the people I know. Most are quite unhappy and a lot of mothers are run ragged. Great news for you though if you do enjoy it 👍.

I have never felt the desire to work and thankfully had t needed to since having dc. Unfortunately the previous generation of feminists have made that impossible for the majority of women .

Erm… no they haven’t? They’ve made it possible FOR women to work, not impossible for women to be unemployed. If you can find a man who’s happy to support you indefinitely, and you’re happy to take the chance on that, then you’re still perfectly able to be unemployed if you want to!

I think there is a job out there for most people.

Those with severe mental health, psychosis, delusions etc are likely those who employment would not be suitable.

But I do think a vast proportion of those with MH or other ND traits could find a job that worked for them.

There is such an epidemic of anxiety issues these days. No one seems to want to be uncomfortable or out of their comfort zone, or even find things difficult.

There is such an epidemic of anxiety issues these days. No one seems to want to be uncomfortable or out of their comfort zone, or even find things difficult

I think it’s because we are a less resilient society than we used to be - the community connections are next to non-existent in many places, people are isolated, work is more high-pressured and high-stakes. The world has become a bigger and more competitive place in the digital age. We hear news about every crisis going. Our comfort zones are being stretched on a daily basis in a way they weren’t in 1995 or whenever you’re comparing to. Anxiety is higher and our coping capacity therefore less.

@Kanaloa

Whilst I agree you have to be careful about future financial events regarding possible divorces I know many women who are financially sound enough with assets should that happen.

I keep myself employable (as I do still work it’s just on my terms and when I want too) and I am way more educated than my husband. If the shit hit the fan I could get work any day of the week, it’s just I choose not too. I guess if I absolutely had too then I would. But for now I bumble along nicely.

Nothing whatever to do with ‘selfish women’.
All feminism has done is to give women equal opportunities. Had things developed as they should we would be seeing 50% of men choosing to be the stay at home parent and 50% of women. If so we might still be able to live on one wage (whoever is earning it). Perhaps it is the selfish men who wanted children but have been unwilling to stay home and look after them that we should be thinking about here?