Is Human Labor Back?

But in a modern tech version.

Imagine working 6 days a week from 9 to 5.

Do whatever your boss tells you without asking any questions, because the minute you start talking about:

• Your mental well-being
• Physical well-being
• Family
• Work-life balance
• Priorities
• Burnout

You automatically become “not dedicated enough.”

But what’s worse?

Hundreds more are ready to take your place.

You join a company where they expect you to work there for 3 years without giving any thought to your own future since if you decline, someone else will take your place.

At times, they may even want you to work beyond the 8 hours a day mark.

Strict deadlines. Extreme pressure. Unreasonable expectations.

Your sanity slowly fades away.

But to ask for an increase in your pay?

Suddenly, that becomes “too much” asking.

The boss can dismiss you anytime.

You become dispensable the minute you stop overworking yourself.

So now tell me which timeline we are on.

Doesn’t seem like a current one, does it?

In those days, people had practically no rights at all. They worked in deplorable conditions until finally, laws and labor rights were put into effect. And this is where the idea of minimum working hours and worker protection originated.

People struggled for this.

But what about now?

Overwork is gradually being romanticized once more in the name of “IT culture,” “grind mentality,” and “dedication.”

The ideal worker is one who foregoes rest, socialization, health, and life in general to be productive.

To tell you the truth, I do not believe that people are engineered to function in stressful conditions without any repercussions.

Burnout does not equal productivity.

Exhaustion does not equal passion.

Fear of being unemployed does not mean loyalty.

There was one time when I was attending an interview at some IT company. The interviewer wanted me to stay with him for 3 years on a very small salary.

Therefore, I raised the question of salary increase.

He actually said:

“There are thousands who are ready to work for this. Take it or leave.”

And I left.

Only because I had the chance to leave.

But I felt pity for those who didn’t have that choice.

Individuals are not tolerating poor conditions simply because they have to.

Survival may make individuals feel that there is no other option available.

Conclusion

Technology advanced. Workplaces became more technologically advanced. Job roles became digitized.

However, somewhere down the line, individuals themselves became commodities rather than people.

Work is crucial. Ambition is crucial. Development is crucial.

However, if success is achieved at the expense of health, relationships, peace, and human dignity, perhaps individuals should question the system rather than glorify it.

Perhaps the future of work should not only revolve around efficiency.

Perhaps the future of work should also involve humanity.