Why I Stopped Paid Employment

Claudia 

I stopped paid employment because you can hardly satisfy a Nigerian employer if you're not suffering on the job.

Most organisations here have toxic work culture.

People carry their seniority mentality from secondary school into the workplace.

I used to overwork (that's literally how we work here).

Do all that and more. 

While working for Nigerian firms, I thought hardwork was good work till I started working with a Ghanaian firm where you get upto 2weeks to deliver one article yet they pay on time. I shock!

A Nigerian company will expect you to deliver 5 to 10 contents (articles) in a week. 

How?....& for what?

Worst still, if you have a terrible superior your work may never pass. It's more like a "dog eat dog" situation where correction is not done with "your growth" in mind.

You'll be feeling drained and looking overused and abused all the time.

That's why their HR be like "can you work under pressure?" As if it's a good thing to put people under unnecessary pressure. 

HR that has zero onboarding plan or capacity building. 

They literally just throw you inside the "ocean" & expect magic. 

The only language they understand is "use", "work & over work". 

Zero reward, zero welfare, zero appreciation. Just hire to fire!

I've turned down two content offers this year. Not because I dont need the money but because I dont want the stress.

I function better when I am relaxed. 

I can eat Peppersoup in-between. Grab a Guinness in-between. 

Whatever gives me inspiration and the right vibe to accomplish my task without anyone mounting unnecessary pressure or trying to undermine my work.

Nigerian employers derive pleasure in putting pressure on people who work for them for no justifiable reason. 

Highly unstructured and capitalist in nature. 

You'll be submitting and resubmitting and reviewing and revisiting same issues over and over. 

Topics that have earlier been agreed on, Boss will wake up one morning and change the whole dynamics.

You suggest weekly newsletter to a clients, they go "Why not daily?" 

Really?

Do you even understand how too frequent content can cause media fatigue?

They enjoy shifting the goal post just to wear you out. 

Because you're paying, I have to die to earn it?

Zero chill!

Resume early, close late, learn how to snitch, be prepared to butt-lick and practically give up your life for a company that has zero regards for your wellbeing.

Also, Nigerians are so obsessed with meetings.

 You literally spend the whole work hours in meetings yet you'll be expected to deliver. Again, how?

I work for myself now, on my terms and I've realise every effort counts.

I am more productive, I enjoy how I work and I achieve better results.

We have a long way to go around here as per how we work.

Brings me to the part where people need to constantly invest in self -development. 

Alot of people are afraid to leave bad bosses or toxic workplaces because (maybe) they do not have enough faith in themselves or they do not have valuable skills. 

In which case, the battle is between their sanity and their means of livelihood. They choose the later and end up rendering mediocre service.

If you know who you are and what you are capable of then you will not let anyone undermine your work.

I was once told by an ex-colleague (superior) that I cannot write. I left the job but that didnt deter me. 

In the long run, my writing made a way for me on higher grounds.

Remember the holy book says "a man's skill makes a way for him".

 So, it is important that you have relevant skills and keep acquiring new set of skills in order to remain valuable.

Paid employment may not bring your "good success". So, rather than working hard to please you boss, workharder on yourself.

Selah!