50 Facts about Life in Corporate America

Welcome to Corporate America. You should have no illusions about it.

It is better to deal with reality than create false expectations. This is not a hit piece on corporations; I am simply providing facts about life in the cubicle jungles across America.

50 Facts about Life in Corporate America

1. The company is not going to take care of you.
2. You must take care of you.
3. Lifetime employment is extinct.
4. Your job could end tomorrow.
5. All jobs are temporary.
6. You are responsible for your career.
7. Pension plans no longer exist.
8. Retiree health care no longer exists.
9. Company retirees no longer exist.
10. Human resources is not your friend.
11. Human resources works for the company, not you.
12. Companies are not loyal to employees.
13. Employees are not loyal to companies.
14. You will be told there will be no lay-offs.
15. You will be laid-off during your career.
16. Do not buy a home unless you have a financial plan in case of a lay-off.
17. If you have a good boss, consider yourself lucky.
18. If you like your job, consider yourself lucky.
19. The best way to get a pay raise is to move to a different company.
20. You will be asked to do something unethical.
21. If you do something unethical, you are a mindless follower of those in power.
22. If you refuse to do something unethical, you will likely get fired for poor performance.
23. A boss will try to bully you.
24. If you stand up to a bully boss, you will likely get fired for poor performance.
25. If you don’t stand up to a bully boss, you will need mental health care.
26. Your company will be acquired, merged or file bankruptcy.
27. You will be told nothing will change before an acquisition or merger.
28. Things will change after an acquisition or merger.
29. All mergers are acquisitions.
30. Employees are not a company’s most important asset.
31. Shareholders are a company’s most important asset.
32. Being a compliant employee does not make your job safe.
33. A coworker will stab you in the back.
34. Unlimited vacation is not unlimited.
35. Great places to work are not always great places to work.
36. Company culture determines the success, mediocrity or failure of an organization.
37. Perks do not determine if a company is a great place to work.
38. Leaders determine if a company is a great place to work.
39. Work/Life balance is a myth.
40. You cannot separate life from work or work from life.
41. Integrating a great life with a great workplace is a better approach.
42. You are responsible for learning new skills.
43. You are responsible for your continuous education.
44. A degree does not mean you have marketable skills.
45. Becoming an expert determines if you have marketable skills.
46. Disrupting the status quo makes you a better employee.
47. Disrupting the status quo will create enemies.
48. Companies preferring the status quo are not sustainable.
49. Find a job you love in a great company.
50. Life is temporary. Your career is temporary. Make the best of both.

If you have other facts about life in Corporate America, please share your comments.

Graphic Credit: Pinterest