Spells for Career and Business Success (part 2)

In any employment situation, there is unequal power dynamic because you are working for someone and they seem to hold all the cards. You may feel fortunate to have a job, but if your employer is trying to enforce unfavorable working conditions, contractual changes or pay cuts, or telling you that if you don't like it you should just move on, knowing full well that the current jobs climate simply does not support that way of thinking, then you could be in an enslaved situation. This is even more likely to be the case if you work at the lower end of the pay-scale where the competition for jobs is much greater and the rewards for working are smaller.

It could even be the case that some degree of psychological enslavement is actually written into your contract. If you are in a zero hours contract or you are expected to phone your employer every morning to see if you are needed that day, then you are psychologically tied to that job and its uncertainty. Such contracts increase anxiety as you never know how many hours you will be working and therefore if you will earn enough money to pay all your bills each month. Furthermore, you won't be able to take on a second job to increase your income, just in case your original employer calls you in to work and the two schedules clash. This is a very common way in which employers mentally enslave their employees.

Another form of contractual enslavement is a 'flexibility' or 'required overtime' clause, whereby your employer expects you to remain fully flexible for the duration of your employment with them and they can call you in to work at the drop of a hat, despite the fact that you are not paid extra to be 'on call.' Again, this keeps you on tenterhooks, worried that your days off will be invaded by your employer and that your own time is not being respected.

That said, there are still things that you can do to alleviate your situation. First of all, find out if there is any scope for flexibility from your employer. Have meeting and explain that the overtime is too much for you, or that you need to be free every Monday for childcare purposes, or whatever. If your employer is willing to accommodate your request, all well and good. If they are not, then they have demonstrated that they are completely rigid, while expecting full flexibility from their employees. This tilted situation is unlikely to change but at least now you are aware that your workplace is skewed entirely to one side, which is not in your favor, so brush up your CV and start job hunting because they are unlikely to change!

Another thing you can do is begin some kind of sideline business from home. A home-based business might be just the ticket to give your mind a bit of breathing space from the job. If it is creative, it has the added benefits of being relaxing and good for overall your mental health. It can give you something to look forward to and work towards, which in turn will take your mind of the stresses of work. Eventually you might be able to give up the job and work on your business full time. Plenty of people have done it, and it is possible, but you won't get there if you don't make a start.

You should also do all you can to maintain your freedon on your days off by setting boundaries. You are entitled to time away from work without being disturbed by phone calls from bosses and colleagues, but many workplaces encourage employees to be constantly contactable under the guise of being 'one big family'. To counteract this, limit the number of ways in which your employers can contact you. They simply should not be bombarding you with texts, calls, and messages in your own time.

Check out several spells in my blog to help you make your working life more successful and fulfilling. Good luck!