I'm sorry this is happening to you and it's not right! I think an important thing to remember when you're gauging other's reactions is that...your coworkers are not necessarily funding their 401k. I know a lot of mine aren't and it stresses me out. People older than us tend to think of it as "They (capital They, of course) are taking my money" and then others just never bothered to learn what it is or how to plan.

It's hard to be motivated in these times. I want to seek out jobs in my own field, but I know they'd be on the chopping block in the near future. The future is incredibly scary. I say we all live on a farm off-grid if it all goes to shit?

I'd be pissed too. That's not just a couple extra percent they're taking, that's really however much it would grow to over time. Anyway, my own mood at work has drastically improved since adopting a "put in the effort when it counts, otherwise dick off and write for my dumb website" strategy. I'd recommend it.

I'd be upset, too, about having my company's 401K contributions stop. That's part of your compensation package! Also sorry to hear about your job burnout. :( Been there, it sucks.

incredibly frustrating! wish i had some good advice but the truth is, there's no easy answer. i'm changing careers but i have no idea what the future will hold. i guess finding ways to just enjoy & cherish our lives and put work on the backburner as much as we can.

I know a big change is around the corner because this shit isnt sustainable for anyone but I just want something to give already. It's so tiring being a frog slowly boiled that has ran out of new pots to jump into to temporarily escape

I hope you can take some solace that you are not alone and as seen in the comments, there are a lot of people in this modern hellworld that know how you feel (possibly why a lot of us are taking refuge in this community!). As tabf5 says I hope something changes soon, it has to!

Thanks for the commiseration and encouragement, everyone! I’ve been so confused by my coworkers’ reactions, it’s good to hear that others agree that I’m justified in being pissed. I guess my strategy for now is to dial back my effort as I figure out what to do next

2,000 consecutive days of work?!??! I think my brain would explode. Definitely understandable for you to feel burnt out and upset. Work can be so dispiriting.

lol yep. They weren’t all 8 hour days or anything, but some form of work due every day. I am still recovering 🥴

2,000 sounded like a long time, and then I did the math and it was even longer then I thought. I also happen to be looking for a new career path at the moment.

I got a degree in graphic design planning to work in marketing. Turns out I hate it. I now work with students with disabilites at a community college and love it. Being at a college, someone showed me this recently and it's been a good resource so far. https://www.onetonline.org/

sorry you're going through this, definitely a gut punch. cliché as it sounds, but it's a wide world out there in terms of opportunities and it sounds like you're in a spot where you could move into a lot. give yourself the time and space to figure that out

"it's not the worst thing happening in the world." Oh hell no. Im furious just reading that. literally gaslighting their workers into thinking that your retirement is "no big deal." how incredibly disrespectful. hope things get better for you soon man

right??? i cant tell you how rude these people have been for the past year. so upsetting. also thanks again everyone, i didn't expect this much response to my whiny little post.

Your feelings here are 1000% valid based on the way corporations are trending on treating the labor force. The whole "not the worst thing" is such a gaslighty thing to say!