There’s no question about it: it can be tough getting a good job, it’s even tougher making a career out of it in this post-crisis world of ours. As an old adage goes, beggars can’t be choosers, so perhaps it’s no wonder that while job satisfaction is at an all-time low, not many are willing to do anything about it. After all, who can afford quitting in this day and age? The cheese in the mouse trap never looked more delicious than it does now! Luckily, there’s a good way to avoid the trap altogether – know how NOT to work before getting mired in corporate rat race. Read on, wary job seeker…

THE 10 WORST COUNTRIES TO WORK IN:

This handy map, published at Washington Post, compiles and shows data from a recent survey which went all over the globe in search of jobs where employees can be happy and productive.

The criteria they took into account when measuring how a particular country stacks up compared to others included job security, trade union protection, workers’ rights and benefits. Though the report mostly analyzed general situation of the labour market in many countries, it should also be a good indication of what to expect when moving to work abroad. Bottom 10 countries got a 5 or a 5+ in the study; such marks are given to the countries in which there’s no rule of law (so no workers’ rights are guaranteed) or trade unions. Usually that’s due to an internal or external conflict (war, catastrophe, epidemic), and because of the government inability to enforce or make laws, labourers have no real unions to speak of, so unfair labour practices are rife.

Central African Republic – Since 2013 the country is in the grip of a civil conflict on ethnic and religious grounds. There are warnings of possible genocide. Stay away from any lucrative jobs here!

Libya – After the Arab Spring and subsequent overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi, the country has been in turmoil. Two years later Libya is still in dire straits following general Haftar’s attempted military coup. It might be unwise to start any peace-time job here.

Palestine – A country with bloody history where violence still reigns supreme, Palestine is an unlikely place to launch a great career.

Somalia – Somalia is still recovering from an incredibly vicious civil war that lasted from 1991 to 2006. At the moment the country is ruled by a federal government, but the country still has to deal with violence, pirate abductions and corruption.

Sudan/South Sudan – Since the split of the country in two after several internal and external conflicts, Sudan and South Sudan have been pursuing different, at times opposing interests. The countries are struggling to feed their citizens, with very high Global Hunger Index and a fifth of the population below poverty line. In addition, the country is one of the most corrupt in the world.

Syria – The country is in the middle of a civil war. Refugees number in the millions, the government was accused of using chemical weapons against its people, tourism and oil sectors have almost collapsed. The continually worsening economic situation is compounded by an international ban of oil imports and severed ties with some of the global economic powers.

Ukraine – Amid an ongoing conflict with Russia and pro-Russian forces, the country’s already grim economic outlook seems even worse without Russian gas. Antiquated infrastructure, incredibly high corruption of the officials at any level, low wages and high emigration contribute to the country being less than ideal destination for possible employment.

Algeria – Though unlike the others on the list Algeria is largely at peace, it’s over-reliance on oil makes it almost impossible to find other jobs there. Large investments into public spending combined with lack of incentives to attract foreign capital mean Algeria isn’t the go-to destination for most MNCs. And since the country suffers from very high unemployment in 15-24 y.o. range, there’s little to look forward to if you’re a young professional seeking new career opportunities.

Bangladesh – Our recent article on the topic of labour practices in this country (cf. Michael Gaylord’s text in BEM42) sheds some light on the rather slow progress the country’s been making in regard to working conditions and workplace safety. Expect things to change for the better in the coming months and years, though.

Belarus – A country still led Soviet-style by its permanent dictator Alexander Lukashenko, Belarus isn’t a very attractive destination to start up a cost-effective international business. For starters, even coming to or staying in the country requires filling out reams of obsolete documents. In addition, corruption is exceptionally abundant, and the country’s largest companies are still state-owned with no chance of privatization in sight.

Though the above ten countries might seem like bad news if you’re working there, none of the traditional „promised lands” for would-be employees are still on the map in 2014. Most notably, the US got an appalling rating of 4, with such countries as Russia, Czech Republic or even Spain being better career destinations (all of them getting a lofty 2). But even if your mind is set on a country like the US (once considered the land of economic opportunity), there’s still no guarantee you’ll end up with the right employer. Let’s see which corporations are considered to be the worst job providers.

THE WORST COMPANIES TO WORK FOR IN 2014 (US):

Analysts over at 24/7 Wall St. have compiled an interesting list of the worst companies to work for, basing their research on actual opinions of employees posted at GlassDoor, a website that deals with careers and jobs globally. Their findings are largely the same as those offered at InsiderMonkey, with the same companies being cited as lacking in various aspects from the employee’s point of view.

Radioshack (27 500 employees, rated 2.4/5)
The famous tech and electronics chain is actually notorious for paying too little, setting the sales minimum too high and offering irregular working hours. Combined with favouritism on the part of upper management, Radioshack earns its place on the list – but should be erased from any list of potential employers you keep.

Family Dollar (58 000 employees, rated 2.4/5)
This widely known variety store chain is going from strength to strength on the stock exchange, its revenues soared to USD 10.4 bln last year, but… Its employees feel mistreated and mismanaged. All likely due to an aggressive expansion policy, where in just few years the company had opened hundreds of new stores.

hhgregg Inc.
A company with long and storied past, hhgregg chain sells electronics and furniture. Its declining fortunes of late can be partly attributed to its disgruntled sales staff. Many employees stated that the company uses commission-based payment model, where you only get paid if you sell something. Apparently, the amount of work outside of selling an item is rather sizable, but you don’t get paid for that — at all.

ADT (17 000 employees, rated 2.4/5)
The biggest security systems retailer in the US is also extremely popular with its customers. However, its sales force is compensated in the same limited way as hhgregg’s, which generates unnecessary stress while yielding little in terms of earnings.

Dillard’s (40 000 employees, rated 2.3/5)
Dillard’s high-end department stores sell clothing, furniture, bedding and various other items. It’s actually one of the more liked such stores in the country, boasting an approval rating (ACSI, American Customer Satisfaction Index) that grew by 2.5% last year. As with many others in the list, Dillard’s staffers are less satisfied than their customers. They’re paid less if they don’t sell enough items. Employees also often complain of job insecurity and schedules which are hard to accommodate ahead of time.

Brookdale Senior Living (49 000 employees, rated 2.3/5)
A company that helps take tender care of the elderly and infirm, Brookdale doesn’t treat its own flock with similar courtesy. Numerous unhappy employees came forward pointing to lack of proper management and too high employee turnover. Because of the turnover, company is often in need of employees, who are offered part-time positions but in reality have to work often full-time without being properly compensated.

Jos. A. Bank Clothiers (6 500 employees, rated 2.3/5)
Jos. A. Bank Clothiers has recently been taken over by Men’s Warehouse, but it’s still the same reliable clothing retailer. The company’s fortunes are on the up, and employees who work at the new owner’s retail outlets have been much happier with Men’s Warehouse (3.3/5), which bodes well for the future of Jos. A. Bank Clothiers’ employees. Before the takeover, major complaints concerned the insane amount of hours worked and difficult customers.

Frontier Communications (13 650 employees, rated 2.3/5)
Frontier by name and nature, FC is a large communications company that provides its services to smaller towns and less populated areas. Despite many efforts to boost the company’s dropping revenues, it still struggles to turn a profit. At the same time its employees feel they’re working for an outdated company.

DISH Network (35 000 employees, rated 2.2-2.3/5)
Last year DISH got served the rather dubious title of the worst company to work for in the US. This year things are slightly better, but not by much. DISH employees have to work very hard, are paid very little and don’t get good benefits.

Express Scripts (30 000 employees, rated 2.2/5)
ES is one of the biggest American companies overall and the biggest one dealing with prescription drugs and related benefit packages. The company seems to be healthy and in no need of expensive drugs, unlike its workforce, who have a much bitter pill to swallow: they need to be available day or night and work whenever told to.

Books-A-Million (5 400 employees, rated 2/5)
The little bookstore that could is still duking it out with the big boys, though not without losing ground to the giants like Barnes&Noble or Amazon. It’s the same old story with the employees, though: commission-based pay brings little in terms of stable salary, a lot in terms of stress. Some even say selling less may get you fired no matter how good you normally are.

After reading the above list you now know WHERE not to go and WHO not to apply to for a job. But it’s only based on salary, job satisfaction or comfort, i.e. things people in current economic climate don’t really care about, since having any job at all is already a win. However, you might be disappointed to know that employers are keenly aware of that and are more than willing to take advantage of your desperation. Enter the list of the cheapest employees, another compilation  by the folks at 24/7 Wall St. It, on the other hand, shows just how little the biggest companies are willing to invest in you, should you apply.

THE COMPANIES WITH THE CHEAPEST EMPLOYEES IN 2014:

O’Reilly Automotive
Total number of employees: 62 000
Revenue per employee: USD 107 000
O’Reilly’s car parts staff had grown considerably last year, which may explain the low cost of employee.

Marriott International
Total number of employees: 123 000
Revenue per employee: USD 104 000
Owner of famous hotels and one of the world’s largest hospitality sector companies, with luxury brands like Ritz-Carlton at its disposal, is less than luxurious when it comes to sharing revenues with its employees.

Amphenol
Total number of employees: 44 500
Revenue per employee: USD 104 000
Amphenol makes electronics and fibre optics and is at the forefront of tech industry. Unfortunately, it comes at a price: most of its workforce is outsourced to China, North Africa, Mexico and India, which cuts costs but makes it impossible for „regular”-priced employees to compete.

Jabil Circuit
Total number of employees: 177 000
Revenue per employee: USD 104 000
With similar revenue per employee as Amphenol, Jabil — an S&P 500 company that produces electronics — has far greater reach, operating in 33 countries worldwide. Similar to Amphenol, most of the low employee cost stems from JC preferring to hire abroad rather than at home.

Starbucks
Total number of employees: 182 000
Revenue per employee: USD 82 000
Compared to others on the list, Starbucks has its staff dirt cheap. Recent reports show that a typical barista earns as little as USD 8.79 per hour, even though the company’s CEO promised to raise that amount following the minimum wage protests earlier this year.

Chipotle Mexican Grill
Total number of employees:  45 000
Revenue per employee: USD 71 000
Another fast-food chain on the list, this Mexican food restaurant chain is rather unique in that it is growing very, very fast. Hopefully the employees will be able to cash in on that, too.

McDonald’s
Total number of employees: 440 000
Revenue per employee: USD 64 000
One of the success stories and one of the most controversial restaurant chains globally – Maccy D’s has it all. Except, it seems, loyal workforce that would be paid normal money and not a mere pittance it gets now. Average wage of USD 7.7 per hour is way below normal living standard in the US, and the situation is not that much better in other countries.

Cognizant Technology Solutions
Total number of employees: 171 400
Revenue per employee: USD 51 600
Cognizant follows in the footsteps of all the other tech giants out there, outsourcing every little scrap of work it can – more than 130 000 of its staff are working overseas.

Yum! Brands
Total number of employees: 307 000
Revenue per employee: USD 42 600
The fast-food giant that incorporates Pizza Hut, Taco Bell,  KFC and other junk food restaurants has seen its market share soar, especially outside of the US. Most of its employees work in countries like China and India, where salaries are much lower. However, the greatest beef any employee in the US has with Yum! is that it opposes a federal minimum wage.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts
Total number of employees: 181 000
Revenue per employee: USD 33 000
Even though Starwood is one of the biggest hotel operators in the world, it manages to keep the price of its employees at a bare minimum. Starwood’s Sheraton, „W” Hotels, Le Meridien and other luxurious brands drive the company’s profits, but only 26% of its workforce lives in the US and is paid accordingly — others live at the locations of the hotels, earning varying sums of money.

So, there you have it: hospitality and fast-food restaurants — the two industries that have the least valuable employees. But suppose you don’t really care about any of that, you don’t mind earning peanuts or being exploited at work. Perhaps you’re not new to the job market, and instead seek employment for loftier reasons, for instance owing to your ideology or charitable disposition. The disappointing truth is, some „classic” jobs are simply not good for a career anymore. More than that: they’re often dangerous, low-paid, low-satisfaction occupations that cost you a lot more than they earn. Here’s the lowest of the low and ones to avoid at all costs, according to the USA Today!

THE WORST CAREERS IN 2014 AND ONWARDS:

Lumberjack – felling trees is just not as manly anymore. Long hours, extreme danger, very low pay (USD 24 000 a year)

Newspaper Reporter – a dying breed, journalists that work for newspapers are less in demand every year. No wonder they earn so little (USD 37 000 a year)

Military Service Personnel – a literally dying breed, soldiers just don’t get the recognition and care they should, especially in the US. The loss of life and limb is just not worth the pay (USD 28 800 a year)

Taxi driver – considered now one of the most dangerous jobs in America, taxi driver may seem lucrative for an emigrant fresh from the boat, but not so much for a crisis-struck citizen, especially at that salary range (USD 22 000 a year)

Broadcaster – TVs and radios are a thing of the past and YT commentators along with blog podcasters have taken over (USD 55 000 a year)

Head cook – Celebrity chefs may not go hungry (read all about it in issue 42 of BEM), but regular cooks do (USD 42 000 a year)

Flight attendant – Airlines are cutting costs left and right, and that includes flight attendants. The amount of them per flight is reduced, so workload is much higher, while the pay remains as low as ever (USD 37 000 per year)

Garbage collector – It’s a stinky and dirty job that doesn’t get the respect it deserves (USD 22 000 per year)

Firefighter – If your childhood dreams were all about a tough but noble profession of putting out fires, 2014 will force you to grow up. Latest figures show a reduction in salaries and an increase in deaths. It’s just not worth the risk (USD 45 000 per year)

Correctional facility officer – Keeping an eye on the worst humanity has to offer comes with an incredible amount of stress, especially considering the overcrowded penal system. Definitely not a good career idea at present (USD 39 000 per year).

So, having read through all that, where, how and for whom do you want to work? Perhaps your current job doesn’t seem that bad anymore in comparison?!

VOCABULARY
tough – trudno, ciężko
to make a career out of sth – zrobić na czymś/w czymś karierę
adage – powiedzenie, porzekadło
beggars can’t be choosers – ~darowanemu koniowi nie zagląda się w zęby
it’s no wonder that… – nic dziwnego, że…
at an all-time low – na najniższym możliwym poziomie
willing – chętny, skory
to afford doing sth – móc sobie pozwolić na zrobienie czegoś
in this day and age – w obecnych czasach
delicious – wyśmienity
altogether – całkowicie, zupełnie
to get mired in sth – pogrążyć się w czymś, ugrzęznąć w czymś
rat race – wyścig szczurów
wary – ostrożny, wystrzegający się (czegoś)
seeker – poszukiwacz
handy – poręczny
to compile – sporządzać
data – dane
survey – ankieta, badanie
employee – pracownik
to take sth into account – uwzględnić coś
to measure – zmierzyć
to stack up – sprawdzać się (w porównaniu do czegoś)
compared to sth – w porównaniu do czegoś
job security – tu: pewność/stabilność zatrudnienia
trade union – związek zawodowy
benefits – świadczenia (społeczne itp.)
labour – praca
indication – wskazówka, oznaka
to expect sth – czekać na coś, oczekiwać czegoś
study – studium, badanie
mark – ocena
ule of law – rządy prawa
due to – z powodu
external – zewnętrzny
epidemic – epidemia
inability to do sth – niezdolność do zrobienia czegoś
to enforce sth – wyegzekwować coś (np. przestrzeganie prawa)
unfair – nieuczciwy
to be rife – szerzyć się, być czymś powszechnym/nagminnym
to be in the grip of sth – znaleźć się w szponach czegoś
civil – domowy (np. o wojnie)
on X grounds – na płaszczyźnie X
warning – ostrzeżenie, sygnał (np. że coś jest nie tak)
genocide – ludobójstwo
subsequent – późniejszy
overthrow – obalenie
to be in turmoil – być (pogrążonym) w chaosie
in dire straits – w rozpaczliwym położeniu
following X – w następstwie X, po X
attempted – usiłowany, niedoszły
coup – przewrót
unwise – niemądry
violence – przemoc
to reign supreme – rządzić niepodzielnie
to launch sth – rozpocząć/zacząć coś
to recover from sth – odzyskać siły/zdrowie/równowagę po czymś
vicious – brutalny
to last – potrwać
to deal with sth – poradzić sobie z czymś, rozwiązać jakąś kwestię
abduction – porwanie
to pursue sth – zajmować się czymś, dbać o coś (np. interesy)
opposing – sprzeczny, przeciwny
to struggle to do sth – borykać się z czymś, mieć trudności ze zrobieniem czegoś
to feed – nakarmić
citizen – obywatel
poverty line – granica ubóstwa, minimum socjalne
refugee – uciekinier
to number in X – sięgać/wynosić X (o ogromnej liczbie)
to accuse sb of sth – oskarżyć kogoś o coś
weapon – broń
to collapse – załamać się, upaść
o be compounded by sth – być przez coś pogorszonym
ban – zakaz
to sever sth – obciąć coś
ties – powiązania, więzy
amid sth – pośród czegoś, w trakcie czegoś
ongoing – trwający
grim – ponury, niezbyt optymistyczny
outlook – perspektywa
antiquated – przestarzały
official – urzędnik
wage – płaca
to contribute to sth – przyczyniać się do czegoś
destination – cel, punkt docelowy
over-reliance on sth – nadmierne poleganie na czymś
public spending – budżet na wydatki publiczne
combined with sth – w połączeniu z czymś
lack – brak
incentive – zachęta
go-to – obowiązkowy (punkt programu, miejsce do odwiedzenia itp.)
MNC (multinational company) – korporacja międzynarodowa
to suffer from sth – cierpieć na coś/z powodu czegoś
X y.o. (year-old, year old) – w wieku X lat
to look forward to sth – z niecierpliwością na coś czekać
to shed light on sth – rzucić na coś światło
in regard to sth – co się tyczy czegoś
working conditions – warunki (do) pracy
workplace – miejsce pracy/robocze
to change for the better – zmienić się na lepsze
permanent – stały
cost-effective – opłacalny
obsolete – zbędny, przestarzały
exceptionally – wyjątkowo
state-owned – państwowy
promised land – ziemia obiecana
would-be – potencjalny, niedoszły
most notably – a w szczególności
appalling – okropny, przeraźliwy
lofty – wysoki, ~pokaźny
sb’s mind is set on sth – ktoś się na coś zawziął, ktoś powziął jakieś postanowienie
considered sth – uznawany za coś/jakiegoś
employer – pracodawca
provider – dostawca, ktoś, kto coś zapewnia
research – badanie, badania
to post – opublikować, zamieścić (np. na forum)
findings – wnioski
to cite – przytoczyć, podać jako przykład
point of view – punkt widzenia
chain – sieć (sklepów itp.)
to be notorious for sth – być owianym złą sławą z powodu czegoś
favouritism – faworyzowanie
upper management – wyższy szczebel dyrektorski/menadżerski
to erase – usunąć
variety – wielobranżowy (np. sklep)
to go from strength to strength – odnosić ciągłe sukcesy
stock exchange – giełda
revenue – przychód, dochód, wpływy
to soar – gwałtownie wzrosnąć
mistreated – niewłaściwie potraktowany
mismanaged – niewłaściwie zarządzany
likely – prawdopodobnie
expansion – ekspansja, poszerzanie działalności
storied – legendarny, owiany legendą
declining – opadający, tu: podupadający
fortunes – losy, dzieje
of late – ostatnimi czasy
partly – częściowo
to attribute sth to sth – przypisać coś czemuś
disgruntled – niezadowolony, nieusatysfakcjonowany
staff – pracownicy, personel
commission-based – w oparciu o komisyjne, (wynagrodzenie) prowizyjne
sizable – pokaźny
security – bezpieczeństwo
retailer – sprzedawca detaliczny
sales force – pracownicy działu spzedaży
to compensate – tu: wynagradzać, płacić wynagrodzenie
to yield – przynosić, dawać
in terms of X – pod względem X, jeśli chodzi o X
high-end – wysokiej jakości
department store – dom towarowy
to boast sth – (móc) się czymś poszczycić
approval rating – wskaźnik aprobaty, poziom popularności
staffer – pracownik
to complain of sth – narzekać na coś
schedule – harmonogram
to accommodate sth – dopasować się do czegoś, dostosować się do czegoś
ahead of time – zawczasu
tender – delkatny
the elderly – osoby starsze
the infirm – chorzy
flock – tu: stadko, podopieczni
courtesy – uprzejmosć, grzeczność
numerous – liczny
to come forward – wyjść z czymś publicznie, przyznać się do czegoś
turnover – obrót (pracowniczy)
part-time – w niepełnym wymiarze godzin
full-time – na pełny etat
properly – odpowiednio
to take over – przejąć
warehouse – magazyn, skład
reliable – pewny, solidny
to be on the up – zwyżkować, rosnąć
outlet – placówka sprzedaży detalicznej, sklep
to bode well for sth – dobrze czemuś/na coś wróżyć
insane – szalony
frontier – nieodkryte/dzikie tereny
despite – pomimo
to boost – pobudzić, zwiększyć
to turn a profit – wypracować/osiągnąć zysk
outdated – przestarzały
to serve sb sth – podać coś komuś, przyznać coś komuś
infamous – niechlubny, niesławny
overall – ogółem
prescription drug – lek na receptę
package – pakiet
expensive – drogi
a bitter pill to swallow – gorzka pigułka do przełknięcia
to duke it out with sb – wymieniać z kimś ciosy, dawać sobie po gębie
to lose ground to sb – tracić dystans do kogoś (w wyścigu, rywalizacji)
salary – płaca
to fire – zwolnić
disappointed – rozczarowany
to be keenly aware of sth – być czegoś boleśnie/dotkliwie świadomym
take advantage of sth – skorzystać na czymś, wykorzystać coś na własną korzyść
enter… – i oto…, oto…
considerably – znacząco
hospitality sector – sektor hotelarstwa i turystyki
brand – marka
at sb’s disposal – w czyjejś gestii
fibre optics – technika światłowodowa
to be at the forefront of sth – być/stać na przedzie czegoś, przodować w czymś
outsourced – zlecany na zewnątrz/do innego kraju
to compete – rywalizować, konkurować
reach – zasięg
to stem from sth – wynikać z czegoś
dirt cheap – śmiesznie tanio
barista – barista, pracownik kawiarni
CEO (Chief Executive Officer) – dyrektor naczelny
unique – unikalny
to cash in on sth – zbić na czymś majątek, zarobić na czymś
Maccy D’s – pot. o McDonald’s
mere – ledwo, tylko
pittance – marne grosze
average – przeciętny
to follow in sb’s footsteps – pójść w czyjeś ślady
scrap – kawałek, skrawek
overseas – za granicą
to incorporate – zawierać, obejmować
to have (a) beef with sb – mieć do kogoś pretensje
to oppose sth – sprzeciwiać się wobec czegoś, wyrażać sprzeciw
bare – goły, absolutny
to drive – napędzać
accordingly – odpowiednio
varying – różniący się, różny
valuable – wartościowy
peanuts – tu: psie pieniądze, grosze
to exploit – wyzyskiwać
owing to sth – z powodu czegoś
charitable – charytatywny, dobroczynny
disposition – usposobienie
at all costs – za wszelką cenę
felling – wyrąb
manly – męski
dying breed – wymierający gatunek
in demand – poszukiwany
literally – dosłownie
recognition – uznanie
loss of life and limb – utrata zdrowia i życia
fresh from the boat – świeżo przybyły (emigrant)
broadcaster – prowadzący program (TV/radio)
head cook – główny kucharz
celebrity – celebrycki, sławny
chef – szef kuchni
flight attendant – stewardessa
workload – obciążenie pracą
to remain – pozostawać
stinky – śmierdzący
firefighter – strażak
childhood – dziecięcy
noble – szlachetny
to put out – zgasić
figures – liczby, dane statystyczne
correctional facility – zakład karny
to keep an eye on sb – mieć kogoś na oku, pilnować kogoś
humanity – ludzkość
overcrowded – przeludniony
penal system – system karny/penitencjarny

by Prochor Aniszczuk

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