I used to hate when people would talk about a job and they would describe it as “meh” or “it’s fine” but they would always follow it up by saying, “but it has great benefits.” When I was younger I was so confused by that. If you have to do this job a minimum of 40 hours per week, then shouldn’t you at least like it? Are the benefits that amazing that you’re willing to work at a mediocre office job?
And now, lo and behold, I am one of those people and I cringe every time I say it. I feel myself internally rolling my eyes as I say it to other people. “No, I don’t like the job but it has amazing benefits.” Ugh, ew.
As a millennial, I think we were falsely sold this idea that you just have to “figure out your passion and you’ll never have to work a day in your life” or “just follow your dreams.” I don’t think we were reminded enough that, unfortunately, we are going to have to work. It’s an evil necessity to get through this life.
The best case scenario is that you love your job and you love your co-workers and boss and you are compensated appropriately and you have unlimited paid days off and everything is wonderful. Imagine my shock when I learned that is rarely the case. You’re lucky if you have two of those things.
I don’t think we were taught enough how to recognize a good job. How the people around you, that you work with and report to, can really make or break the situation. Or yes, appreciating really good benefits.
As you enter the working world, and as your friends and colleagues enter the working world, you learn that good benefits are actually much more difficult to come by than they should be. I’m talking about solid health care insurance, a decent 401k program, at least (!) three weeks of paid vacation, and other perks that the company might offer.
Though I still feel defeated whenever I talk about my job. I hate it. I absolutely hate it. Now, it’s important to mention that the job…is fine. There’s no toxic boss that makes my life a living hell. I get to work remotely, and the job itself can be crazy and stressful but I don’t think it’s taking years off my life or anything like that. I don’t care enough about it to get that stressed over it. I just don’t like what I do.
But every time I get really frustrated with this job, I check my 401k account or see how many PTO days I have and think, “damn, those are really good benefits.” It makes the job a little more tolerable, slightly more bearable…for a few moments at least. At minimum it spares me from dramatically and spontaneously quitting in a fit of rage and doing something my practical self will later regret.
