Manager: "Ya know, you're really putting me in a tight spot here....."

Me: "Oh, yeah, I know all about tight spots. Kinda like how every day I work my ass off, and at the end of the month barely have enough money to keep my head above water, all without having medical coverage. I make too much for medicaid, but I definately can't afford a doctor. Which is kinda scary and all. You know.....since I just over beating cancer in 2023. Not like cancer ever comes back, or has post complications......"

And then I walk away from the conversation.

I've found at places of employment, the best way to not get walked all over, is to be a reflection of how big of an asshole THEY are being in the moment. They can't call me out onit, because it's exactly their behavior. They won't fix the issues, because the issue is them, or above them. So it ends up being more of a headache than it's worth to talk to me.

Now I just get called into an office.

"Did you do the new company policy?"

"Nope."

"Why not?"

"Because fuck that shit. I can achieve the same goal you're telling me to work at for an hour, in about 15 seconds. All the extra bullshit is just busy work, and I don't do that."

Long pause

sigh "Just get back to work....

Guys, I'm telling you. All you gotta do is be an immovable rock in your stance, and work a job that would be really hard to replace you. Then just be dependable. Show up to work every day. Don't be late. Do the work. But don't take shit.

They'll be presented with "do I really fire a worker who shows up and works the shifts no one else wants? Can I replace him?"

The answer may be yes, but it's still a hell of a process that's already solved by simply NOT firing you.