Posted on 08/05/2015 8:27:18 PM PDT by rickmichaels
There is an economic crisis that isnt much talked about, but which is responsible for a downward spiral that none of us want to see continue.
Men are opting out of the workplace.
Thats right. According to the U.S. Department of Labor statistics, in the 1950s about three percent of men between 25 and 54, which is still considered prime working age, were unemployed and not seeking employment. In the late 1960s that had climbed to about five percent. In 2013 it was reported at 12 percent. And the last report placed it at 16 percent.
These arent just men who arent working. These are men who arent looking for traditional employment.
WHY SHOULD YOU CARE?
Ive written about the disappearing working man before, but lets take it a little deeper here. Why will fewer men in the workforce create a downward spiral in the economy? Men, when they have money, buy stuff. And men who arent working dont buy as much stuff. Sure, if theyre getting unemployment or disability, or doing a little freelancing on the side, theyre buying necessary stuff. But they arent buying the stuff that fuels the economy.
So guess what happens next? Well, what usually happens to an economy when people dont buy stuff? No matter what stimulus plan or artificial tweaking of interest rates is rolled out by the powers that be, eventually there isnt enough money being spent to create new jobs to pay people who will spend money. Thats a gross over simplification, but lets work with it.
(Excerpt) Read more at goodmenproject.com ...
Wow, I believe every word of that. A few years ago a friend in the design and engineering business told me that he saw a local news segment from the Detroit Auto Show where Lee Iacocca was being interviewed and he supposedly said that the biggest problem in the automotive industry is Human Resources, their policies and practices.
When I finally landed a job (April, ‘15) with a local Tier 1 supplier I started replying to recruiter e-mail by saying “I am currently out of the job market until further notice.” but that hasn’t deterred them from wanting me to update my profile, asking me straight out where I’m working, how much I’m being paid, job location, etc. They use a tactic called “applicant tracking” and I do my best to avoid getting caught up in it. I’ve always done better for myself, by myself and I think the HR ideology is the same as Big Government-liberalism in this country.
HR seems to have been taken over by lots of incompetents in lots of places. I’m sure there are exceptions.
But 99.5% are incapable of understanding my background and experience. So I never reach the people who do understand it.
As companies have shrunk, they have put a lot of unqualified people in charge of a lot of things they don’t understand.
But they act like they know it all. You can’t make them understand that which they have no grasp of. But they can’t figure out why they have a mess on their hands.
Why should they want to work and get married?
Society tells them they are a bunch of dumb, violent, potential rapists who are the cause of all problems in the world. It’s clear the only thing many women think men are good for is sperm donation, alimony and child support checks.
Not exactly a situation that motivates one to make any sacrifices for women or society.
Men don’t hate women, we love women, It’s the very nature of a man to love to please women, it is our biggest motivator, at least until we have children.
However, there’s just a limit to how much BS we will put up with in pursuit of that goal.
I hate my job. I sit in an office all day surrounded by under 35 skinny jeans wearing losers or foreigners.
Here in Manhattan, where I work, I see a lot of them seated on the sidewalks with cardboard signs asking for money. Leftover OWS types.
I agree that there are exceptions. As you stated, it’s not easy to find a resume’ reviewer who can accurately determine skill set equivalencies.
I cringe when I answer the phone and it’s a recruiter saying that they just wanted to “reach out” to me and if/when I tell them something they might need to know, he or she will reply by saying “Perfect!”. LOL! Then I get these girlie recruiters who talk like they’re still in Jr. High- “Oh...MyGod!...Are you SERIOUS?”, etc., etc., etc. Their names always seem to be something like Amy, Brandi, Mandy, Sandi, Chelsea, Lindsey, Katy, Jodi, Josie, Tiffany...
If it wasn’t for the one person I want to stay in touch with on LinkedIn (an old girlfriend from my old neighborhood), I’d deactivate my account today.
Quality is not where it’s at with Human Resources and they wonder why they “can’t find enough qualified people”.
I never have joined LinkedIn. Obviously their security was garbage. There are a couple people I’d stay in touch with but now it’s like a bellybutton.
Besides, my resume has all the necessary contact information if there is truly a need. Type in one name in LI and you get 50 results, at least, if the name is somewhat common (like mine).
LinkedIn...Nobody goes there anymore because it’s too crowded.
I believe it.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.