Is a bad job better than no job at all?

falko89

What do you think? I came across this youtube video on the subject, Going to a job day in day out you hate, possibly on minimum wage with no job security. The only upside is its supposed to be easier to get another job when you already have one, hasn't been experience in the past though.

Basically the above video says those in poor jobs have the same level of depression as those unemployed, and those unemployed going in to poor jobs could have worse mental health issues.

Crazy_Larry

Firstly, there is always a risk that a job that is bad for you will make you ill. Then, if it is so lowly paid, is there any point in doing it? - you may be financially worse off when travel costs are taken into consideration. Thirdly and VERY importantly, those jobs with no job security will actually harm your CV and career because when they finish, other prospective employers will view it as a failure in you that you weren't kept on. People's careers can be seriously damaged by taking on a temporary post.

falko89

Crazy_Larry wrote: »

Firstly, there is always a risk that a job that is bad for you will make you ill. Then, if it is so lowly paid, is there any point in doing it? - you may be financially worse off when travel costs are taken into consideration. Thirdly and VERY importantly, those jobs with no job security will actually harm your CV and career because when they finish, other prospective employers will view it as a failure in you that you weren't kept on. People's careers can be seriously damaged by taking on a temporary post.

That's another good point I never thought about, it does look like failure, but then these days temporary roles seem to be the norm. In my last job probably the thing I valued most was the feeling of security, wasn't so secure in the end though:D

cleggie

As a single mum i have worked doing loads of things. Yes, DO think a 'bad' job is better than no job!
I'll clean toilets to put food on the table so that my kids can eat, and i am not embarassed to admit it!

Firetastic

You spend the best part of your life working. So just imagine having to get up every morning and know you are going to a job you hate for the rest of your working life. You look back when you retire and think I spent the best part of my life unhappy for very little. Okay a bit extreme but you get my point.

I can see how that would have an effect on somebody's mental health. I cannot see the point in spending your life doing something you hate. Okay in life we all have to do things that we don't want to do. But I suppose that is par for the course of life.

However we can try as hard as we can to find a job that suits our personality, skills and interests which makes it easier. That way we can look forward to the rest of our career.

falko89

Firetastic wrote: »

You spend the best part of your life working. So just imagine having to get up every morning and know you are going to a job you hate for the rest of your working life. Okay a bit extreme but you get my point.

I can see how that would have an effect on somebody's mental health. I cannot see the point in spending your life doing something you hate. Okay in life we all have to do things that we don't want to do. But I suppose that is par for the course of life.

However we can try as hard as we can to find a job that suits our personality, skills and interests which makes it easier. That way we can look forward to our career.

Plenty of people do though, I did it 15 years and probably still would be doing it now, although being unemployed is carp I am actually happier.

ellanutella

A bad job that you don't mind is better than no job but nothing is worth making yourself ill for. MY oh just quit her job as she hated it to The point of being physically ill as well as emotionally. Makes little financial sense as I'm only on minimum wage but health comes first.

Firetastic

falko89 wrote: »

Plenty of people do though, I did it 15 years and probably still would be doing it now, although being unemployed is carp I am actually happier.

I suppose you have a good point there. Sitting round the house day in day out would drive me bonkers. I like to be doing something or else I go stir crazy.

morganedge

I work and I really dislike it.
I've felt the same in every job i've ever had. I hate working with a passion, but I do it anyway.

I feel, I would say, slightly happier when i'm NOT working.

The depression of doing something you dislike, going to a place you don't want to be, for 5 (sometimes 6 for me) days per week is slightly worse than when I was on jobseekers a long time ago.

Back then, I only felt a bit depressed when, say, family members would spring unwanted visits and would talk about how I needed to find a job etc. Other than that, I was OK, Whereas the depression of working full time is almost constant, lol.

I wish away HUGE chunks of my life just willing on the weekend to begin!

falko89

morganedge wrote: »

I work and I really dislike it.
I've felt the same in every job i've ever had. I hate working with a passion, but I do it anyway.

I feel, I would say, slightly happier when i'm NOT working.

The depression of doing something you dislike, going to a place you don't want to be, for 5 (sometimes 6 for me) days per week is slightly worse than when I was on jobseekers a long time ago.

Back then, I only felt a bit depressed when, say, family members would spring unwanted visits and would talk about how I needed to find a job etc. Other than that, I was OK, Whereas the depression of working full time is almost constant, lol.

I wish away HUGE chunks of my life just willing on the weekend to begin!

I did that to. I always said the best part of the weekend was Friday night, come Saturday the thoughts of work would start setting in again, so even when you were away from work it would still haunt you. Same with holidays, at Xmas I always got 2 weeks of, first week I was on top of the world, towards the end of the first week the dread started setting in, and I was no longer thinking "Oh I've another week off" I was thinking "Only another 7 days until I go back" the holiday was ruined, may as well of been back at work as that's where my mind was.

ILW

Depends of what the alternative to the bad job is.

Telling someone at an interview that you have not worked for the last 5 years as you find the thought depressing and would rather stay at home, is not going to help your prospects either.