Modern Slavery Today

There are so much going on in this world today, we tend to bypass the seriousness of each matter we face. At one point before writing this post, I wanted to rant so much about my just recent job. I was let go without a proper reason why. Before I go on, I would like to express that I will do my best not to be as bias as I am about the situation due to my recent circumstances. However, this has struck my mind for quite a while.

Slavery: (n.) the condition of a slave; bondage; the keeping of slaves as a practice or institution; a state of subjection like that of a slave; severe toil; drudgery. (dictionary.com)
Sadly, the vast majority of us are in slavery, whether it be based upon the necessity of a college degree, the expectation that one be in a lifelong relationship, need for financial resources (money), religious beliefs, social viewpoints, or whatever pointless reason.(urbandictionary.com)

In truth, I agree with the urban dictionary statement. It seems that we are in what is called a "modern slavery". Though we were taught that slavery has been demolished throughout history after many wars, it seems that history may repeat itself or was never resolved in the first place.

No, we're not bounded up in chains and beaten.
Or are we?

Think about it, today's meaning of slavery is doing something that doesn't make us happy. What can that be? Having loans to be able to go to school, working as much hours as possible just to satisfy ends meet, dealing with a dictator of a boss who claims to be a leader yet takes advantage of his/her employees, etc. There are so many reasons. In today's society, we struggle to be able to keep up with bills and rent. We drown in debt due to the inability to earn what we need. We work and work yet don't go anywhere.

For a few months, I have been employed with a company called Service Master Restoration here in Texas. Before I was hired, I was told that I was needed for the sole purpose to take an employee's place as she will be having maternity leave real soon. Agreeing to the terms (and also believing that it would be a great learning experience for myself), I began to work. At first it was alright seeing that I was able to get some hours and get paid a good amount per hour. However, it didn't last for that long. After just a week or two of working, I was put on hold for training or working in the warehouse to be able to earn money to help my family. Patiently I waited. After a week of not working, I was able to get a few more hours. As grateful as I can be, I worked as much as I could, catching up with co-workers to see where they left off. Not too long did I figure that I was already being replaced by another employee due to her college degree.

If there was a college course on how to clean houses and earn a Bachelor's for it, I still think I wouldn't go for it. But the reasons they had was just absurd.

Honestly, I couldn't take the sudden change. Immediately, I went ahead and talked to my project manager (also known as a supervisor) to see what is going on and if the rumors were true. Our conversation didn't end beautifully. After getting blown at, I couldn't help but rebut her statements of needing to have progress if I were to take the place of the previous employee. How could I have such a progress needed if I wasn't given the hours to prove myself? 

If I may add as well, no one should call their employees or fellow co-workers that they are idiots, stupid, etc. It is both unprofessional and definitely rude. How can one learn if they are constantly being bullied like so? To be called low and compared to those higher. No one likes to be compared.  

It made no sense at all. It definitely wasn't fair.

Yes, life isn't fair and we must just deal with it. Not like this though. No one should go through the trouble of working as much as they can and be treated unfairly. We work to survive in this unstable government society.

If one was to run a business, please have the consideration that people talk. Keep in mind that your employees are the backbone of your company and shouldn't be treated with as much disrespect I and my fellow co-workers have experienced. Give them a chance and if something was wrong help them. Unless they refuse to learn and work, everything should be kept professional. Don't take advantage of your employees or fellow co-workers. If this was a team as it should have been, it will definitely not last.

Count on it.