Editor’s Note: There is nothing like doing a job you enjoy; a job that brings you satisfaction – both financially and emotionally. But are some jobs bad for you? Daniel Dela Dunoo explores the types of jobs to avoid at all cost.
In a nation where graduate unemployment levels are continually on the ascendancy and where there is intense competition for the relatively few jobs on the job market, many are tempted to pursue and accept virtually any job offer.
Many scramble for all kinds of jobs without giving thought to the potential hazards associated with such jobs and many other such factors. Education and experience coupled with observation has taught me some valuable lessons which I will attempt to distill for the benefit of many unemployed graduates and by extension, employees who are in ‘the wrong job.’
1. Health Hazard
Phyllis Omido worked for a smelting plant in Mombasa when she discovered her son got lead poisoning from her breast milk. She led a campaign that led to the closure of her former employer. Image/ABC7News
For money, many employees and potential employees will throw caution to the wind in their job search. You should never place your job or career over and above your health. If your job is proving hazardous to your health, you should quickly devise an exit plan. I had to quit my job as a Data Entry Specialist with a prestigious telecommunication company principally because I discovered my job was progressively hurting my ear.
The nature of the job required that I make calls frequently and soon I began to experience incessant headaches, ear aches and blurred hearing. That I had bills to pay did not stop me from calling it quits, all for the sake of my health. Some employees have been injured and sometimes permanently scarred in their line of duty. Others have been under intense stress and depression and have developed life threatening ailments as a direct result of the jobs they consigned themselves to. This should not be your story.
2. Pays Poorly
Many low paying jobs are advertised daily; more often than not, these are demanding jobs and ordinarily should attract better pay. Some companies choose to pay law salaries and wages, that, the pay some employees receive at the end of the month; salaries, incentives and all, falls below the cost the employee incurs in accepting that job offer; expenses on just transportation alone takes a chunk of the employee’s salary.
As a matter of fact, the employee runs at a loss. Why take a job offer or remain at a job that makes you run at a loss; where you do not make financial gains but rather losses. Think twice if you find yourself in such a situation. I would not keep such a job; it simply is not worth it.
3. Illegal
Some jobs are universally considered unlawful and consequently punishable when the long arm of the law gets a hold of culprits such as robbery, kidnapping, drug trafficking, human trafficking and the likes. Surprisingly, some these illegal jobs pay well and individuals engaged in such jobs live large for as long as they are not caught. Also worth-noting is the fact that, some jobs that may be considered illegal in a particular jurisdiction or country may be considered legal in another.
4. Immoral
If ever you are offered a job that conflicts with your moral standards, leave.
We all have certain standards we uphold, conditioned by our environment, upbringing and religious affiliation. Whereas some individuals and groups of persons may see absolutely nothing wrong with jobs such as prostitution, pornography, operating night clubs, carrying out abortions and the likes, others see such jobs as morally bankrupt. If ever you are offered a job that conflicts with your moral standards, leave. You certainly have no business taking that job offer merely for incentives you may be privileged to have.
5. Defies Your Religion
That you need money does not mean you should support a religious cause you do not subscribe to.
Some institutions and jobs are principally religious in belief systems, causes and modus operandi. I see no reason why the non-Christian will for instance is sometimes applied to jobs at a Christian institution. Why put yourself through such stress if you know very well that your religious convictions are in conflict with that of institution you seek to work with. That you need money does not mean you should support a religious cause you do not subscribe to.
6. Leaves No Family Time
Why chase after money, only to lose those that are dear to your heart.
Some employees work seven days a week and much of the day; they live for work at dawn and return at night. They return to the house tired but truth be told, some get well paid and are able to afford the luxuries of life but seem to never have time for their spouses and children. While they climb high the corporate ladder, their families suffer. Before they know it, their children have become wayward and their marriages are on the rocks. Why chase after money, only to lose those that are dear to your heart. If your job will not give you time for family and friends, you should think twice.
7. Makes You Miserable
I once knew someone who resented his job and soon, his attitude began to show in his work.
Some employees work at jobs that constantly make their lives miserable and a living hell. They simply do not like their jobs but only keep those jobs because somehow the bills have to be paid. They work at these jobs but desperately long for other jobs. I once knew someone who resented his job so much that he would out rightly blame his dad for pushing him towards that career path. Soon, it began to tell on his output.
Before I was through with my service, he had got himself a job with a government agency, quitting for good his teaching profession. If your job makes you miserable, consider a new career path or job as soon as possible. You can quit your current job once you get one you truly love and are passionate about.
8. Contradicts Your Nature
Employees with the skills-set may fair well in one job but fair poorly in another not necessarily because they are incompetent.
I am naturally introverted and consequently averse to jobs that require high mobility and frequent client contact. I love to work behind the scenes and at home with jobs that require relatively few client contacts and mobility. I remember taking a job offer barely two years ago as a direct sales representative with an ICT company which required that we meet certain weekly prospecting targets and monthly sales targets with specific focus on companies.
As a naturally introverted person, I could not make a head way, as much as I tried; I found this job very frustrating and had to eventually tender my resignation. Employees with the requisite knowledge and skills may fair well in one job but do poorly in another not necessarily because they are incompetent. It may be because of differences that may exist between the nature of the job and employee’s temperaments and aptitudes.
On your route to gainful employment, though give some thought to the issues I have raised above. They may prove helpful in arriving at decisions regarding the job offers to accept and those to reject and may also prove helpful in your choice of a career path.
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