Doing It for the Money…Would You?
Jan 13th, 2012 by Carlos
Had an interesting conversation with some co-workers the other day. I was trying to gauge how much money it would take for people to take a job that’s traditionally frowned upon.
I’m curious to hear what other people think.
Here’s the scenario:
Would you take a job at a fast-food restaurant (assuming you aren’t in that industry already) in exchange for a tripling of your current salary? The catch is that you would have no opportunity for advancement (you would have the entry-level job of casheering, cleaning, etc.) and you have to sign up for a 10-year contract.
You break the contract, you stop getting paid. If you agree, you basically have to stay for 10 years.
The Upside
- The money, obviously.
- One co-worker mentioned you would save money on clothing since you have a uniform you’d be wearing every day for the next 3,650 days.
- You get to work with people, which can help make it less monotonous.
- No pressure to advance…you’re in for the next 10 years.
The Downside
- Locked in for 10 years (we’re adding in that you can’t “get fired” even though I know that makes no sense…it’s an exercise for God’s sake).
- No advancement.
- Dull days ahead.
- Cleaning bathrooms will be a step down for a lot of people.
- No career prospects after the 10 years are done since you basically have a black hole in your resume.
Most people didn’t have to think twice, they said they would do it without even hesitating. This surprised me so I tried to slow them down to actually think of what this would be like. To work in something they have no interest or passion for and to be locked in for 10 years.
They didn’t care. The tripling of the salary clinched it…I’m not sure if that makes me naive or makes them greedy and heartless.
What’s your take?
Image by Mike Baird
Since I have never had a job that paid 3x minimum wage, sure I’d take the job.
On the other hand, having previously flipped hamburgers on 8 Mile (yes, THAT 8 Mile), I did not generally enjoy working with the type of people who work at fast food joints, so I admit I might have negative thoughts before long.
Then again, the day shift workers were much easier to work with than the evening shift workers (this was during the summer and a few of my co-workers were college students working to make money for school). This was my hardest job ever, as we had a crushing lunch rush every weekday (thousands of office workers lurked just across the other side of 8 Mile).
The evening shift workers were largely lazy (the evening shift was very slow, so this shift was where the lazy could do least damage) and larcenous (vendors had to carefully watch incoming deliveries).
By the end of the summer, I vowed that I never ever ever wanted to manage or supervise fast food workers.
You also failed to mention that the shift would be 9 to 5, M-F. No working on weekends, no dealing with the ‘fourth meal’ drunkards. Another win? You wouldn’t take the job home with you (except for perhaps a smidgen of guacamole on your apron).
And for me, as a sometimes-writer, I could still get some intellectual fulfillment by freelancing on the side. I could ‘advance’ in this way as well.
And finally, discount 7-layer burritos?! Brilliant!
For being part of your older demographic of readers this is really an easy choice.
I am currently 40. If I can make 3x my salary and I save the other 2x, I am retired in 10 years. That would be like working to 70. (Barring any raises)
Who cares if I have any marketable skills or a gap in the resume, as long as I can hit the ball down the center of the fairway I will be all right.
Heck no! While that would be a nice bonus, I can’t handle that kind of customer service. Plus, no place for advancement… no way.
I mostly agree with you, but J’s early-retirement idea makes a pretty good case. Who cares about advancement when you’re at the finish line?
I’m a teacher. Because of budget cuts we have had no raises for three years. I had only taught 3 years before the wage freeze, so I am on the low end of the salary scale. There is no such thing as a chance for advancement in my job. So, though I love what I do, I would seriously think about giving it up for the money.