Double standards will never go away. The famous saying “We judge ourselves by our intentions and others by their actions” rings true everywhere; it’s human nature.
That doesn’t mean we have to like it. Some double standards, whether at work or in society, are so egregious we wish they’d just disappear.
While scrolling through Reddit, I found a thread asking users to share the double standards they hate the most.
Do you agree with these?
Company Loyalty
In the past, loyalty to a company was rewarded. Long-time employees received regular raises and excellent pensions to see them through their senior years.
In our current work culture, companies still expect the same loyalty from employees while offering nothing in return.
“Loyalty is a two-way street. If I find a better job and give your the appropriate number of weeks’ notice, you can’t complain, especially since you can get rid of me for any reason,” said one user.
“I’ve found that if you are extremely loyal to a company and show them you will be will be there no matter what, they will walk all over you,” added another.
Employee Performance & Results
Some complained that different employees are held to different standards based on their performance, resulting in unfair workplaces.
“Either the person who does pretty much nothing gets away with it constantly, but everyone else is watched like a hawk, or when the person who never calls in sick does just ONCE, and it’s a whole thing as if they’re lying,” shared one user, describing some of the ways companies punish their best employees while letting slackers slide.
People Only Mention the Bad
No one cares when things are going right, but when one thing goes wrong, they’re quick to point the finger.
“You can do 99 things right and will always be criticized for the one thing you did wrong,” shared one user, who said it’s even worse because the opposite is also true. “Someone who did 99 things wrong will always be praised for the one thing they did right,” they added.
“Yeah, the person who is bad and did one good thing will praised, but someone who always does good no one cares about,” said another.
Managers Not Helping
Managers will berate their employees when the work doesn’t get done but refuse to lift a finger to help.
“My Boss has brought me into his office repeatedly to tell me I don’t do enough work and that we are all swamped right now. My Department is short-staffed. Yet he has no issues sitting at his desk watching movies all day,” shared one user.
Managers must jump in and help or hire more staff if there’s too much work for the employees.
References
You need a good reference to get a job, but companies don’t give references for fear of legal action. Job seekers are stuck between a rock and a hard place.
One user pointed out that it’s particularly egregious when the same company that refuses to give references requires a reference check for new hires.
“Company won’t give you a reference when you leave, just your dates of employment and job title,” they said. “Same company won’t hire you without a reference.”
Changing Stations
Men want to step up and be better parents, but it’s hard when society is designed around women as the primary caretaker.
One new father said he hates that men’s restrooms lack changing stations. “As a new parent, it really bothers me when only the ladies room has those baby changing stations,” he said.
Luckily, times are changing. One user mentioned a 2017 California law requiring all restaurant restrooms to have changing stations; another said it’s common to see changing stations in all restrooms where they live (Canada).
Record Profits – No Raises
Companies are recording record profits off the backs of their workforces yet refusing to offer salary increases.
One Reddit said the conversation typically goes like this “Employee: “Can I get a raise?” Employer: “No. We don’t have room in the budget for that. Sorry,” adding that the “employer proceeds to break records in sales and pay out huge bonuses to higher-ups.”
Women Can’t Abuse Men
Though statistics show men are likelier to be the abuser than the abused, statistics don’t tell the whole story. Numerous men suffer abuse from their female partners, and society’s not ready to talk about it.
“I suffer from PTSD due to mental abuse from my ex-wife. I mentioned it one time and was told to “Man up. Women can’t abuse men.” So, now, no one knows,” shared one user.
“We really need to face the facts; traditional ideas about masculinity and femininity hurt everybody, and we need to break down the walls that prevent men from being honest, open, vulnerable, emotional beings if we want to allow ourselves to pursue happier lives,” said another, explaining that we need a cultural shift to change our attitudes about men and women.
Carbon Footprints
Companies did a fantastic job pointing the finger at individuals for pollution and waste when in reality, companies are the biggest culprit.
“The double standard that your average person creates a huge wave of waste in their path when in reality most pollution is created by factories funded by the same places that push those narratives” needs to go, stated one user.
“Consumer waste is dwarfed by industrial waste, and they don’t even make an effort. Recycling is a joke,” added another.
It doesn’t hurt to do what you can to help the environment, but the best way to affect change is boycotting companies who don’t make an effort is the best way to affect change. Vote with your dollars.
Babysitting vs. Parenting
The idea that men can’t parent their children needs to disappear.
When dads stay home, they’re babysitting. When they take the kids to the park, they’re “wonderful for spending time with their children.”
These activities are expected of mothers, who never get the same praise.
“Dad stays home with children so mom can work or go out for fun, he’s babysitting,” said one user. “Reverse the roles with mom staying home & dad working or going out, she’s doing her job,” they added.
Society must change how it thinks about parenting, motherhood, and fatherhood. Fathers should be equally involved with their children, and mothers shouldn’t be the default parent.
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Source: Reddit
Melanie launched Partners in Fire in 2017 to document her quest for financial independence with a mix of finance, fun, and solving the world’s problems. She’s self educated in personal finance and passionate about fighting systematic problems that prevent others from achieving their own financial goals. She also loves travel, anthropology, gaming and her cats.