# Sometimes, My Job Sucks **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 19, 2006, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sometimes-my-job-sucks/340705 "2006-01-19T20:21:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2006, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sometimes-my-job-sucks/340705/1 "2006-01-19T20:21:10Z")
They want me to go to training in late February. That’s fine, I like adding new skills to my repertoire. The training is in downtown Pittsburgh. Well, the drive sucks, and that means leaving early in the morning and getting back late, but I could do that… Except that apparently, I’m not allowed to bill the travel time as hours worked. If I were driving to, say, New York for a conference, I’d get to bill the travel time as time worked. But the extra hour and a half, each way, for me to drive to Pittsburgh rather than the Morgantown site? For some reason, no. So, essentially, since the training is 7 hours in duration, I will be away from my house two hours longer each day that week than if I were just working - a total of ten extra hours I can’t use - that I get no reimbursement for. Meanwhile, the folks attending the training who work at the Pittsburgh site - their commute remains the same. I put forth extra effort, for no additional compensation. Seems unfair, to me. ---
**Author:** ![Waverly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/57b2e6/32.png) [@Waverly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waverly)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2006, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sometimes-my-job-sucks/340705/2 "2006-01-19T20:30:13Z")
> [@CandidGamera](#): > > Seems unfair, to me. Maybe, but in the great sea of unfairness, this is a baby krill missing a tentacle. W. _- who incidentally commutes 3 hours on an average day anyway, making calls on the handsfree the whole time, puts in another 60+ hours, gets paid for 45 hours, and recognizes that he still has it better than 98% of the world._ ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2006, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sometimes-my-job-sucks/340705/3 "2006-01-19T20:35:12Z")
You’re getting free training. Suck it up. ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2006, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sometimes-my-job-sucks/340705/4 "2006-01-19T20:56:04Z")
**Waverly** - I’m terribly sorry you were in such dire financial straits as to have to accept a job with a three-hour commute. I’d never accept a job with more than an hour commute, because - especially early in the mornings - I tend to fall asleep on the interstate if the drive is long. Nevertheless, the job I signed up for has a half-hour commute. Changing that premise underneath my feet, even briefly, constitutes an unfairness on the part of my employer. ---
**Author:** ![Waverly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/57b2e6/32.png) [@Waverly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waverly)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2006, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sometimes-my-job-sucks/340705/5 "2006-01-19T21:05:25Z")
> [@CandidGamera](#): > > Nevertheless, the job I signed up for has a half-hour commute. Changing that premise underneath my feet, even briefly, constitutes an unfairness on the part of my employer. Oh, I’m sure many will agree with you. Personally, I think it’s evidence of a “poor me” attitude that will prevent just as many from ever succeeding. Do you have any coworkers who are just happy to get paid to train, regardless of the hardships of the commute? You will be fetching their coffee and typing their reports next year. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2006, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sometimes-my-job-sucks/340705/6 "2006-01-19T21:13:29Z")
If it’s considered a commute, the company can’t expense the travel time out, as far as I remember, neither as mileage nor as hours. ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2006, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sometimes-my-job-sucks/340705/7 "2006-01-19T22:04:22Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > If it’s considered a commute, the company can’t expense the travel time out, as far as I remember, neither as mileage nor as hours. What do you mean by “considered a commute”? I suppose they could tell me to report to Tulsa Oklahoma and “consider it a commute”… ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2006, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sometimes-my-job-sucks/340705/8 "2006-01-19T22:08:10Z")
> [@Waverly](#): > > Oh, I’m sure many will agree with you. Personally, I think it’s evidence of a “poor me” attitude that will prevent just as many from ever succeeding. Do you have any coworkers who are just happy to get paid to train, regardless of the hardships of the commute? You will be fetching their coffee and typing their reports next year. I think your position is evidence of corporate brainwashing - a subversion of your own needs and desires to the company’s - that I could never stomach. And sure, the spineless weenies without enough gumption to demand fair treatment can get midway up the corporate ladder, but personally, I don’t think it’s worth it. If they hire me for a forty hour a week job, that’s what they get me for. If they want me for fifty, they can pay me for fifty. Call it fairness, equity, justice, or basic human respect, but I do insist on it over the long run. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2006, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sometimes-my-job-sucks/340705/9 "2006-01-19T22:27:49Z")
> [@CandidGamera](#): > > What do you mean by “considered a commute”? As defined by the IRS. Leaving your home and driving to a permanent workplace is a commute. If the workplace is temporary, you can deduct the expenses on your taxes. I don’t believe (but could be wrong) that your employer can expense it. You can. ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2006, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sometimes-my-job-sucks/340705/10 "2006-01-19T22:36:33Z")
> [@Waverly](#): > > Oh, I’m sure many will agree with you. Personally, I think it’s evidence of a “poor me” attitude that will prevent just as many from ever succeeding. Do you have any coworkers who are just happy to get paid to train, regardless of the hardships of the commute? You will be fetching their coffee and typing their reports next year. Gee, you’re kind of a dick. ---
**Author:** ![Waverly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/57b2e6/32.png) [@Waverly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waverly)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2006, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sometimes-my-job-sucks/340705/11 "2006-01-19T22:42:45Z")
> [@CandidGamera](#): > > I think your position is evidence of corporate brainwashing - a subversion of your own needs and desires to the company’s - that I could never stomach. And sure, the spineless weenies without enough gumption to demand fair treatment can get midway up the corporate ladder, but personally, I don’t think it’s worth it. If they hire me for a forty hour a week job, that’s what they get me for. If they want me for fifty, they can pay me for fifty. Call it fairness, equity, justice, or basic human respect, but I do insist on it over the long run. This actually made me giggle. Yes, of course, you are the brave and assertive worker who won’t stand for not getting paid to drive to company sponsored training. I, on the other hand, am the spineless weenie who offers up more time and effort than is strictly required to make myself, and those who work for me, successful. I feel small and worthless in your presence, and I wish I had the balls tell the ‘man’ where he can stick his commute. You will, of course, come back and regale us with tales of your bravery after you have this conversation with you boss, no? ---
**Author:** ![Waverly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/57b2e6/32.png) [@Waverly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waverly)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2006, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sometimes-my-job-sucks/340705/12 "2006-01-19T22:54:42Z")
> [@Otto](#): > > Gee, you’re kind of a dick. This is a very compelling argument. I can tell I’ve got some serious introspection to do. ---
**Author:** ![Plynck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Plynck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plynck)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2006, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sometimes-my-job-sucks/340705/13 "2006-01-19T23:02:12Z")
**CandidGamera** , I’m going to come off sounding like an insensitive jerk. And, dammit, I like to think of myself as a sensitive jerk. But my thought is that if that’s company policy, then you gotta suck it up, or suck it down, or whatever else you gotta do in order to keep the job. Or look elsewhere. This is probably a little more geared toward the hourly/salary discussion, but stuff like this goes with being a professional. I did a 2 1/2 hour each way commute from north of Boston to Cape Cod for six weeks once. All on the beloved South East Expressway. I don’t want to do it again, but I’m still employed and I’m not sure if I would be had I refused the assignment. I’m hoping that you get mileage and tolls. That’s a reasonable request, and they should honor it. So, load up the mp3 player, and deal with it. ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2006, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sometimes-my-job-sucks/340705/14 "2006-01-19T23:32:01Z")
> [@Waverly](#): > > This is a very compelling argument. It wasn’t an argument. It was an observation. You’re a dick. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2006, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sometimes-my-job-sucks/340705/15 "2006-01-19T23:41:53Z")
> [@Waverly](#): > > Oh, I’m sure many will agree with you. Personally, I think it’s evidence of a “poor me” attitude that will prevent just as many from ever succeeding. Do you have any coworkers who are just happy to get paid to train, regardless of the hardships of the commute? You will be fetching their coffee and typing their reports next year. Er…no. If we always just roll over and play dead whenever a company asks us to do more than necessary, pretty soon they’ll have us sleeping at the office. That’s why labor laws came in. I am really sorry that you have a three-hour commute. Do you have a family? Kids? When do you get to see them with this schedule? > [@](#): > > W. - who incidentally commutes 3 hours on an average day anyway, making calls on the handsfree the whole time, puts in another 60+ hours, gets paid for 45 hours, and recognizes that he still has it better than 98% of the world. So you are putting in…let’s see, if you are only working weekdays, that’s 75 hours a week, right? 60 hours of work plus 3 horus commute x 5 days? Those are 75-hour days? What exactly is that going to accomplish? Is that your real life? Is that how you identify yourself? So sorry, you are in the wrong here. I’d rather make less money and not be rich, and have more time to spend with my loved ones. Life is way too short to work like this. And I also feel I have it better than 90% of the world…and I never put in more than 40-45 hour weeks. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2006, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sometimes-my-job-sucks/340705/16 "2006-01-19T23:43:20Z")
Sorry, _15-hour days_. And \*\*CG \*\*- I’ve gotten paid for extra commute time, but only for special things, like twice-a-year trips. You may not have an option, I’m afraid. ---
**Author:** ![bizzwire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/958977/32.png) [@bizzwire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bizzwire)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2006, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sometimes-my-job-sucks/340705/17 "2006-01-20T00:04:08Z")
When I took my current job, I traded in a 50-mile commute(one-way) for a 5-mile one. I also took a $10,000 cut in salary. Best money I ever spent. **Otto** , I’m really curious; that must be some super-satisfying job that leaves you an entire **2 hours** of “me time” each working day. (12 hours of work + 3 hours commute+ 7 hours of sleep= 22 hours). What exactly do you that’s so darned fulfilling? ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2006, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sometimes-my-job-sucks/340705/18 "2006-01-20T00:09:29Z")
**Waverly** , you’re being whored out. The company you work for is taking complete advantage of you, and you seem to be proud of the fact. You’re devoting the majority of your waking life to them… do you think they’ll be as devoted to you? I guarantee you, as soon as they can save a single dollar by firing your ass, they’ll do it. The sad thing is you’ll probably kiss their ass while they do it. I work overtime- but not excessively so. During the latest round of crunch, I worked a maximum of ten hours a week OT. My first responsibility is to my family and myself- the company comes in a distant third. I have a six-minute commute, personally. I often ride my bike when the weather’s nice. You might want to look into finding a better job. ---
**Author:** ![bizzwire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/958977/32.png) [@bizzwire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bizzwire)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2006, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sometimes-my-job-sucks/340705/19 "2006-01-20T00:29:16Z")
> [@bizzwire](#): > > When I took my current job, I traded in a 50-mile commute(one-way) for a 5-mile one. I also took a $10,000 cut in salary. Best money I ever spent. > > **Otto** , I’m really curious; that must be some super-satisfying job that leaves you an entire **2 hours** of “me time” each working day. (12 hours of work + 3 hours commute+ 7 hours of sleep= 22 hours). What exactly do you that’s so darned fulfilling? I _meant_ to direct this toward **Waverly** :smack: Sorry, \*\*Otto \*\* ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2006, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sometimes-my-job-sucks/340705/20 "2006-01-20T00:29:55Z")
> [@bizzwire](#): > > **Otto** , I’m really curious; that must be some super-satisfying job that leaves you an entire **2 hours** of “me time” each working day. (12 hours of work + 3 hours commute+ 7 hours of sleep= 22 hours). What exactly do you that’s so darned fulfilling? Not me man, my job is completely unfulfilling. You have me mixed up with Waverly. Who is a dick, and also a chump who puts in almost twice the time working than he gets paid for. My job may suck ass, but at least I get paid for all my working time. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sometimes-my-job-sucks/340705.md?page=2)