As one who helps 1200 people try to find museum jobs
every day, I'd like you to think about this slightly
differently.

First, the activist in me agrees with the concept of
what you're promoting here.  It's part of the reason
why the MuseJobs folks get employment law every week,
so they know their rights in the workplace, and they
don't have to settle for less than legal working
conditions.

And, it is true, an employer, generally speaking,
spends a good deal in bringing employees up to speed. 
There's the training investment and other incentives. 
So, you are true in that respect.

Now, please stop and consider this.  The museum job
market is horrible.  It's "a seller's market".  If you
have some job skill that is in incredible demand, you
can afford to "make demands" and swim upstream.  In
this particular job market, at this particular time,
that's not really a luxury.  

I'm not advocating that you put up with sexual
harrassment or any form of discrimination.  I'm not
suggesting you not be an empowered employee.  If what
the employer demands of you is more than what you can
personally tolerate, by all means, do leave.

Just know that one monkey doesn't stop the show, and
there are countless monkeys out there who would gladly
take your place and, whether they considered it
fashionable or not, would pay to wear the shirt.

I understand and admire your position.  However, it's
just not practical in today's job market.  Don't lose
your spunk.  Just save it for a time when you can
afford to be demanding because the demand for what
you're doing just isn't that great at this time.

I don't mean to pee on your parade.  Umbrage can be a
wonderful thing.  Unemployment isn't.


--- Therese Quinn <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Wow. This response kind of shocked me and reminded
> me of all the horrible jobs
> I've ever had, and why I left them rather than put
> up with insulting attitudes
> from managers.
> 
> It is always within an employee's, indeed, within
> any citizen's purview to
> expect and actively seek change, if situations of
> employment are unfair or
> disliked. Sure, change-seekers risk their jobs
> sometimes. And even when workers
> aren't just fired, autocratic responses to employee
> feelings about conditions of
> employment are sure to cause high turnover rates. In
> the long run, is this best
> for an institution? Most places invest a lot in
> their workers, and would
> probably do better to listen and amend or flex a
> bit, than simply tell them to
> "find the door."
> 


=====
Indigo Nights
[log in to unmask]

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