Since you’re union the only correct response is: “I’m sorry you feel that way, I’ll do my best to work on that”. That needs to be your response for literally any type of criticism. It’s not an admission of guilt, it cuts the conversation short, and it’s not a direct commitment to fix it. If they follow up with more crap about why you need to fix it just repeat the line. If they want you to sign something, make sure to “RTS”
this post was submitted on 04 Oct 2025
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That is too much of a commitment. Should end with I'll consider that, or I'll look into that.
There is a fine line between not following instructions and being combative. The reason yours doesn’t work is because it opens the conversation up more for the employer to ask questions. It tows the line of being combative and telling the employer to pound sand.
There is no harm in telling the employer you’ll try to fix something. You just can’t commit because they’ll hold you to the standard you set. Committing to “do your best” can’t be challenged and most middle managers will think they won the conversation.
In this case though he said he was in a union. So committing to something sets precedent that can be used against the union. If there was no union involved, then I agree with you. I just suck at lieing.
Committing to do your best isn’t a commitment. When you get questioned about it you just say you’re doing your best.
this is even better than I won’t apologise for having a growth mindset.
good advice, also using it
I always default to "I'll continue to do the best I can under the circumstances", the circumstances being total organizational chaos and zero support. It's one step short of "You fuckfaces wouldn't piss on me if I was on fire, but I like working here marginally more than being homeless so I'll put up with it".
If you don't include the explanation of what you mean by circumstances, it could be misinterpreted as not being motivated
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Ask them for evidence. Rather, ask your union rep to ask them for evidence.
But don't get all "brutal honesty" on me. You can always truthfully talk about wanting to earn your paycheck or get through each day in a smooth and productive fashion.
I won’t apologise for having a growth mindset.
I won’t apologise for having a growth mindset.
this is perfect! I'm using it
The correct response is non-verbal. You have to demonstrate that you're motivated and friendly.
Telling coworkers that you're only there for the money is the corporate equivalent of telling your spouse you're only with them because your asshole isn't going to lick itself and you don't have any better options right now.
Everyone goes to work to make money. You're not special in this regard. No one would go if they weren't getting paid. The real question is why you're doing this job to earn money instead of doing some other job to earn money.
The correct answer is, "I've always been passionate about and I dream of one day so I'm starting out in this job because and I'm looking forward to learning all I can from you guys."
However, you need to walk this walk, saying the things isn't enough.
I often find myself explaining this to new team members: things go so much easier if people like you. You don't really have to be an especially likable person, just a little empathy, and avoid being a dick. It doesn't take much to phrase things in such a way that people actually want to help you.
I think this comment tells us more about your relationship with your spouse than how to deal with the corporations BS 😅
I've been in a management role for the past 3yrs. I always tell my team that I don't expect more than the minimum stated in our job responsibilities, that I expect us to work as a team when needed, to maintain a moderate balance between their work and their lives, and to try and maintain a positive attitude.
Work sucks, so I don't care so much about motivation, but I want my team to be happy. None of us want to be working, but none of us want to be miserable, either.
Be authentic but learn to be friendly because it helps you and those around you. From a career standpoint, I've seen people go far and make tons of money due to this, even if they weren't the that intellectual or motivated.
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Why would the C suite care about you?
Because of the ~CuLtURe~
A while ago we had an interesting situation at work. At regular intervals our team has a call with our direct boss, for communicating how the business is going and to give little talks about out current technological challenges with our customers. At that time the results of the employee survey were published and our team had low levels on the statement "My work fills me with meaning" (not sure about the translation here). Our boss was curious about why. We had a few moments of silence until one of my senior coworkers said honestly, that at least he is not searching for his lifes meaning in work. Which is also true for me. Wasn't a big thing after that. Our boss is totally fine with that.
That being said, one important thing for our boss (and also for me, when coaching new coworkers) is seeing, that we have at least some fun and interest in our work. If you don't have that, then both the quality of your work and the relations to coworkers can suffer quite a bit. Then maybe doing a different job is better for you.
You can be honest about being there for getting money AND being passionate about your job (or at least part of it) at the same time. So show that to management. If they are still pissed, then they are in fact shitty. If you have other good opportunities, it might be time to head out then.
I just don't think everyone is capable of being passionate about any job, or at least ones that are realistically achievable. Personally speaking every single thing I'm passionate about and brings me happiness are things hundreds of thousands of people do for free, so who would pay someone a living wage to do it? At my current job I'm paid incredibly well for someone that never got anything above a high school diploma (currently make around $22k-31k post taxes and deductions for insurance depending on the amount of hours I work and will get a raise soon once I finish my initial 90 days), but I just show up and do the work then go home. I don't talk to anyone (it's also not an environment for casual conversation considering you have to basically scream in somebody's face for them to hear you) and spend my breaks and lunch alone reading a book.
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idk if it's a good answer or not but I am just brutally honest
I'm good at my job and I exceed expectations and my peers. if somebody has a problem with my lack of attitude on my work, well, I don't really care, what are they gonna do, get rid of me? poor business decision
Whole lot of really serious replies but I think it'd be better to spin your original statement as a joke/exaggeration/misinterpretation"
"I love my job but let's be real - if I didn't have bills to pay, I'd be chilling on a beach instead!"
"I love working here - but my role specifically. I'm very happy in my position and don't see myself as CEO one day or anything."
I'm not defending corporate culture, and it's bullshit. But if you're in a job that requires thinking, not just physical labour, there is a fair amount of research that's shows that people do significantly better work when they have intrinsic motivations than extrinsic (like money).
Even if you're doing a job you would quite today if you didn't need the money, there's probably a bunch of intrinsic motivations that are there, even if they're small compared to "need cash". Maybe you care about your teammates and don't want to let them down (at least that one guy, the rest are dicks), maybe you have a sense of pride in your competence and don't want to produce shit (pity that management get in the way most of the time) , maybe you want the company do be successful (because otherwise you'd have to get naothe job).
If you find genuine motivations, even if you have to be circumspect in how you express them, it'll be easier for your bosses to trust you. If someone is honestly and openly saying they're only here for money, then I can infer that they will do the least possible work that won't get them fired. So I'll need to constantly be supervising them and checking their work because if I don't they'll cut corners and ruin everything. I can't let the talk to clients or even other staff because they could be hugely negative about the company and cause problems. It's just not worth it. From the c-suite perspective, they know that everyone saying how important work is and how much they believe in the company are full of shit.
Ask them what their motivation is if they were in your position with your pay and "benefits"
How does me working harder to gain the company more money benefit me personally in realistic terms?
How does our work benefit society as a whole?
The goal of a non government company is to make money for private shareholders, why do you think we would have other goals?
[not serious] Perhaps they should consider that they've failed to provide you with motivation other than money? Have they even thought of that?
Everyone is only there for the money. No one would be there if they weren't getting paid. It sounds like you're walking around telling all your coworkers "I'm only here for money," which very honestly sounds insufferable. When you say the "C suite" wants to talk to you about this, are you referring to your boss, or your boss's boss? Unless you're in a high level job at a large company, those people are definitely not in the "C suite."
Could be c suite at a small company. If you have a few hundred people for instance
my contract and my professional goals worksheet tells me what I have to do to achieve 100% success.
being nice to you is not in either of those documents.
If I'm kind to you, it's because I want to be, not because I have to be.
as much as I'd love to use this line, this would put a huge mark on my back, at least where I work at.
surprising how thin skinned some people are.
updating my cv as of now...
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