The New Word for Slave is...
By LadyMarissa
@LadyMarissa (12148)
United States
January 24, 2009 12:36pm CST
I was watching a Sean Penn movie today The Assassination of Richard Nixon. His character was a little out of touch with reality. During the course of the movie he commented{i]The new word for "slave" is "employee"[/i] That caught my attention!!! Do you ever feel like you're being treated as a slave at work??? Or do you enjoy your job & feel you are being treated fairly???
4 people like this
9 responses
@Citizen_Stuart (2016)
•
26 Jan 09
Well, I've had literally dozens of jobs, and some of my employers I've liked, and others have treated me like dirt. None of them have ever stood over me with a whip and told me that I can't leave the job! So no, being an employee is nothing like being a slave. Ask any former or current concentration camp inmate whether they'd like to do your job or stay where they are.
1 person likes this
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
26 Jan 09
I know a guy who works in a restaurant. When he goes into work, he never knows when he'll be allowed to leave. He's not allowed to leave his post...even when he eats. He never knows when he'll be allowed to go home as he is forced to stay until his boss gives him permission to leave. He regularly is forced to work 12 hour days without notice. The restaurant doesn't pay overtime. Yes, it is better than a concentration camp. Still, he is being treated like a slave!!! He's not allowed to take a lunch break as he is required to keep working while he eats. He's allowed none of the mandatory breaks during the day. When his 8 hours are up, he's not allowed to leave. He's not allowed to take a vacation. He has been forced to work more than 14 days straight. I'm just waiting to hear his boss has decided he's not allowed to go home to sleep!!! My theory on the reason he hasn't forced them to stay is it would cost him money to provide a place to sleep. The ONLY thing missing is the whip!!!
@Citizen_Stuart (2016)
•
26 Jan 09
That's the point though, isn't it? The boss can't physically stop your friend from leaving. I've had jobs that have been so bad I've just walked out - it's not like my employers could send out a squad of men to catch me and drag me back! I've found the best way to deal with scumbag employers is to make it clear that you're there by your own choice, and that you can leave anytime you want.
@mommamusic (882)
• United States
24 Jan 09
No,i enjoy all of the work i do.I wear a hat of many colors and i do a lot of things.First and fore most when i have gotten a new job which has been a long time ago.I tell right then there you will respect just because i wrok for you does not mean you can run over dis me nor will you treat me as your slave.I have never gotten fired always hired and been respected.I bow down to no man or woman.I have had the same job for over 30 years and i am very happy.
@mommamusic (882)
• United States
24 Jan 09
Some might call it luck but i am da---m good at my job all of them.I proud to say.
@goldeneagle (6745)
• United States
26 Jan 09
I think this view is right on target. Slavery doesn't go away, it just changes forms...Most of us are slaves to our jobs, and most of us are slaves to money.
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
26 Jan 09
The 2 seem to go hand in hand. If we weren't a slave to our money, we wouldn't need our job!!!
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
24 Jan 09
I've never felt like a slave at any job I've had. They're paying me for my time and I'm performing a service for them. There have been jobs I've quit because I was underpaid, though.
Nixon was bonkers anyway, a very mentally ill person.
1 person likes this
@p1kef1sh (45681)
•
24 Jan 09
I don't have what is commonly known as a job LadyM. Not for money anyway. I do quite a lot of guiding at the Cathedral. As for being a slave - some employees are, some not. In the west we are not forced to work, well of course we are or we don't get to have homes and food etc, but no one forces us to do what we don't want to do. If we don't like what we do then that's our choice. I am not a slave at home, although I do try to do more than my fair share of the chores. Not always successfully, like right now my supper is being cooked for me. I have offered of course.
1 person likes this
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
24 Jan 09
Some people may feel forced in this job market. I had one job where part of the job requirement was to blatantly lie to our customers. Of course, this wasn't listed in the job description. At the time, I chose to leave that position. If it had happened in today's job market where it's hard to find another, I would feel I was being forced. It seems I'm hearing more people saying they must do things that goes against their upbringing in order to keep their job. They'd love to change jobs, but nobody will hire them. So, in effect, they are being forced to perform duties against their will!!!
@AnnieOakley1 (5596)
• Canada
24 Jan 09
I quit being someone else's slave 15 yrs ago, when I moved up north and started my own business. I have never looked back. I love it! I hate being told what to do. Yes, working for someone else, you are just their paid slave.
1 person likes this
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
24 Jan 09
Lucky you!!! I don't feel I'm a slave now, but I have on jobs in the past!!! I will willingly do my job as required, but try & force me to perform certain tasks & I'll balk!!! 
@mommyboo (13174)
• United States
25 Jan 09
Hehehe... sure, at some jobs I do believe that employee is just another word for 'slave'. I also think that to some degree, anything that is considered just a job is well.. just a job. In order for it to be a career, it has to mean something to you, fulfill you in some way, be something you love that you would be sorry to be without and miss.
@MissAmie (717)
• United States
25 Jan 09
YES!!! Especially in the restaurant business. They expect you to do the work of 3 people for minimum pay. Right now I'm working from home. I never see my boss, email my schedule in once a week, then just do my job. It rocks...and the best part is it's not for minimum wage!
@chelroe (28)
• Philippines
25 Jan 09
In one way or another employee and slave do have a lot in common. One is both have "masters." However, I think it's just a matter of perspective, if all of us would be "masters" who would do the actual jobs? We will surely starve. And i think it's not slavery in it's real definition since we get well compensated for the jobs we do except of course those who were not and which their existence we cannot deny. Everything is just a matter of perspective Slave and or employee definition must be properly put into context :).
