Unemployment has returned to pre-pandemic levels, yet conservatives are claiming “no one wants to work”
Five days–40 hours a week. Clock in, clock out. Such has been the weekly routine for over a century. That is until March of 2020. COVID hit and the world stopped. Like actually stopped. People were no longer going to work, collecting unemployment due to being laid-off or workplace closures. And there are the “essential” workers who the world finally recognized as crucial to society. Yet, still were refused increased pay. Restaurant workers are paid barely minimum wage just to have some exhausted mother take out her pandemic stress on them when pickles are left on her sandwich.
There are thousands who were made to leave the workforce for months, thus leading them to collect unemployment. The pandemic forced some ugly truths to such a bright light that even the most oblivious had to acknowledge; a lot of people were vastly underpaid even when it came to unemployment — so they raised the benefits.
Now conservatives and boomers are blaming the life-saving bump in funds for the lack of enthusiasm when it comes to returning to the grueling reality that awaits us all post-pandemic, but it goes so much deeper than money. Most of those unemployment checks have returned to pre-pandemic levels, yet people are still refusing to return to the workforce.
Some people are starting to choose themselves over capitalism. They’re choosing their happiness and their families over an unhappy life. Because going back to that 9 to 5 or Burger King may be more stable and financially beneficial, but to do so would be choosing capitalism over one’s rights to life. Poor people are realizing that capitalism wasn’t created to benefit them and they no longer want to feed into it.
As a society, we’ve discovered most jobs can be done remotely, but employers are still forcing workers back to in-person work. How many employers have told a disabled person they can’t perform this job or meet the requirements for the job? But when the pandemic hit and things had to change in the blink of an eye, they discovered what most of us already knew. That it is possible with some effort and a f***ks given.
Discovering this could create so many opportunities for disabled people, yet we are still asking for people to return to the same plan as before. But it’s not that simple for those who have seen a different side of life. A side where they can rest and enjoy family and be creative and productive in the things that will actually make a difference in the world. And get paid what they’re worth.
There is also the simple explanation that we also just can’t afford to return. The commute, childcare, clothes, and upkeep all cost money and those who are poor can’t easily afford those luxuries.
At this rate, we spend more time with our co-workers than with friends and family. The push to get a society that is exhausted from the depression, anxiety of everyday life plus pandemic problems is insensitive and insulting. Telling people they should forget their worth and return to a job that would replace them if they could is just nonsense.
Next time someone says “no one wants to work” please feel free to tell them to shut. The. (bleep). Up. And if they’re so worried about who’s going to staff the McDonalds then they should get behind the counter.
About Brianna Milon
Brianna is local media professional who loves writing, watching Netflix, and playing with her dog, Weenie and her cat, Fancy. She studied Journalism and Broadcasting at SUNY Brockport and was heavily involved in the campus radio station. Brianna also co-hosts a radio show, “Fat, Black, and Femme”, on 100.9 WXIR. You can find out more on Facebook and Blogspot.
One Response
Thanks for your thoughts, Brianna, I agree. And thanks for “suggesting” the F-word instead of spelling it out. (Does it really matter . . .? Well, kind of . . . .) In my personal quest for a kinder, gentler, more respectful world, I do not SHARE FB posts with bad words, and I prefer not to receive such. Accordingly, I can and will share your thoughts.