I was browsing through the incoming links to this blog a few days ago and there was one (naturally, I can’t find it anymore) discussing pro-blogging and how many bloggers have quit their regular jobs to become pro-bloggers. The gist of the entry was whether it was a smart move. The comment thread yielded additional issues including security of tenure. For some people, self-employment is too insecure compared to being employed and assured of a monthly income.
For sure, full time blogging is not for everyone. And full time blogging does NOT always mean self-employment in the real sense of the word. Still, some people thrive better in an environment where there is a boss who directs, barks and looks over one’s shoulder every so often to make sure that things are getting done. Full time blogging, on the other hand, just like any self-employment one-man operation scheme, requires a lot of self-discipline and dedication. You have to be able to will yourself to spit out decent output even without someone pressuring you to do it or without the threat of getting fired.
But in terms of security of tenure, is it really true that self-employment is too risky? Labor laws notwithstanding, if we look at most corporate set-ups especially in the Philippine setting, capability and skill are not the only factors on which security of tenure are anchored. Things like PR (sucking up), knowing and hanging out with the “right crowd” and learning the art of not stepping on the toes of the wrong people affect an employee’s chances of staying on and moving upward. That was why I stayed on in the corporate scene only long enough for three wardrobe changes. Sucking up made me sick, I hung out with the wrong crowd and I stepped on the toes of too many people.
If we also consider how fast businesses come and go these days, it isn’t exactly realistic to presume that when you land a good job, it’s forever or, at least, that you will have it until you’re ready to retire or voluntarily decide to move to a better one.
The truth is, security is a relative thing. The law may say that employers ought to do this and that, and they will be penalized if they undermine an employee’s security of tenure but, in reality, it’s all just words. There are ways and ways of getting around the law which render security of tenure illusory.
Examples.
There’s this guy who had been with a company for over twenty years. He rose from the ranks until he became a manager. The company was bought out by a foreign company which naturally brought in its own people. Because the laws on security of tenure dictate that the employees of the bought company cannot be fired based solely on the buyout, the new people had to devise ways and means to kick them out and put their hand picked puppets in their place.
How is this done?
Isolation and miscommunication. The guy I mentioned, he was on the field often as it was his job to supervise his people on the field. The time came when he wasn’t getting notified of meetings. Managerial meetings would be scheduled when he was out of town, he would get a call, of course, but in such a way that it would be physically impossible for him to make it back to the office on time. The shitty part was how the “new people” would comment later how he missed the meeting etcetera, etcetera, as though he had been remiss.
It wasn’t just a question of not being there. Not being there meant he didn’t know what was discussed, especially the off-the-record discussions that never made it to the minutes, if minutes were kept at all. Little did he know that his own demise was being planned in those meetings. After a few such incidents, and I’m not just talking about missed meetings but miscommunications regarding volume orders amounting to millions, the guy received a memo asking him to explain why he shouldn’t be fired for incompetence.
He was set up, of course. And in that company, he was not the only one. Every manager got the same treatment, from mid-management to upper-management. Some survived — the chameleons, the ones adept at stroking the right spots and whispering the right things in the right ears. Just like Anakin Skywalker, some decided it was wiser to join the Dark Side.
Those in the peripheries — the secretaries and rank-and-file employees — found themselves in a quandary. Should they tell the truth if the occasion called for it and risk their own asses? Or should they keep their mouths shut at the not-too-subtle ways in which the old-timers were being eased out? One secretary decided it was in her best interests to help the new people in setting up the old-timers. She had this wonderful memory for remembering the times when the old timers missed meetings or deadlines or when they submitted documents that had incomplete information. On the other hand, she always had no recollection of reports and other documents submitted by these same old times. Sensitive documents were getting lost and these “lost documents” were just added to the many sins of the old timers. That secretary is still an employee of that company to this very day.
When we talk about security of tenure, well, business entities are not charitable organizations. While there are employers who take good care of their employees, they do so only after their own profits are assured. Employee interests never take precedence over profits. It’s not a good versus evil issue. It’s not a morality thing. It’s just the nature of business. Businesses are NOT put up to help those in need (a.k.a. provide employment and secure the future of employees) but to make profits. Simple. That’s why business owners look the other way as their assassins do their dirty job like what happened in that corporation I was talking about. They don’t want the dirty details; they just want results.
I’m not saying that self-employed full time bloggers are not exposed to this kind of back-stabbing. Whether you deal with people by name or face-to-face, people will be people and most will willingly step all over you if it means getting ahead. Ain’t that why there are splogs. And ain’t that why bloggers write gossip as though they know the gossip to be real. Whatever shallowness, cattiness and inanities there are in the corporate world also exist on the web among bloggers.
But other people’s rumor-mongering, the back-stabbing and the sucking up won’t easily destroy you unless you are a sissy. Whatever is said about you, no one can fire you. And you can always fight back, fight fire with fire even, without fear of getting the ire of powers-that-be. Because there are no powers-that-be. There’s just you and your readers.
In that sense, how can employment be more secure than full time blogging?
I love my work and I’m good at it. But I don’t entertain the idea that my company will reciprocate my “loyalty” and dedication in the same manner. As a contract worker, I know I will be “released” as soon as my usefulness is over.
It’s always nice to have an extra source of income in case something untoward happens to your “day-time” job. Kaya, as long as we’re able, kayod and save so my wife and I could retire when I reach 55.
“There is nothing certain in this world except death and taxes.” – ????
“I love my work and I’m good at it.”
For those employed, those are the best reasons for staying. Great that you have your eyes wide open about what not to expect.
Blogus Vox is right. I don’t expect my employer to keep me beyond my value-added years. But at the same time, I am confident in the work I do. I take the view that if the company does not appreciate my contributions, it’s the company’s loss. Of course, I do my best to convince the company that my views have value and I am open to new ideas at the same time. I am prepared to leave if I feel that I am not an active contributor, The company does not have to make the first move.
Looking for a source of income is not so difficult if you are resourceful and if you are not afraid of hard work.
And if one’s calling is to be a full time blogger, so be it!
I like the way you put your case across. 
I once asked a recruitment personnel during interview “Would there be an effect in the recruitment we are doing right now because the school district’s head has a pending case?” ( i read a lot of this case from the Washington Post) Of course, it was a job interview and I wasn’t supposed to ask about procedures and about security of the work contract signed here in the Philippines just in case something happens in the school district in the US and there is a shift of personnel.
I had visions of “What if our contract is not honored if he resigns or gets convicted?” The agency owner was seething with anger, shouting at me on the phone when she finally got to talk to me because naturally I was not chosen. I told her “I need to ask that question because I want to be certain about things here since it would cost me an arm and a leg* just to pay you” when she asked why I needed to ask something that gives a doubt to the process they were doing. “There is nothing certain in this world except death and taxes.” -> that was what she said to me.My reply was: “One can cheat death and taxes, and can get away with it.” She slammed down the phone on me.
Did I regret what I did? Nope. Didn’t want to teach in the second lowest performing school district in that particular state. Maybe it was a blessing after all. (My apologies, long comment)
* $8,000-$10,000+ per applicant (an arm and a leg for me since we don’t have farm lots nor real estate property to sell to avoid sky-high interest rates from lending companies)
Yikes, that is terrible Sassy. I was like getting confused if you were describing the corporate world or the government since it seems like the government, lol.
I believe the culture of corruption is taking its toll even in the corporate world, not that security of tenure is not an issue elsewhere which course comes in varying degrees but what they do in the Philippines is just outright evil.
Julie,
It seems the recruiter is so onion skinned, but the question you posed has no bearing on the job unless the case against the school district head is also about the recruitment. The school district head cannot act alone without the approval of the other board members. You should have asked to see the contract itself and what was the exorbitant fee all about if it was included in the original placement agreement with the school board which I doubt is included.
I suggest you write a letter of inquiry to the school board to relay your concern and you may want to include the placement fee required by the recruiter. This exorbitant placement fee is detrimental to the interest of the school board as it will hamper and jeopardize the districts requirement of getting qualified applicants. It is not a highest bidder thingy but getting the most qualified to do the job.
Pedestrian Observer, I wrote a column a while back about how government is run like a corporation because government officials believe that getting elected is the same as winning shares of stock. The higher the position, the more shares owned.
“Did I regret what I did? Nope. Didn’t want to teach in the second lowest performing school district in that particular state. ”
I’m OT here but I think one of the reason they recruit educators in the Philippines is that US based teachers are unwilling to teach in low performing schools. Have any body seen the movie “Standup and Deliver”?
yes, BlogusVox is right. don’t love your employer too much because there will come a time they they’ll throw you out because they’d used you long enough. and don’t trust your colleagues too much. you wouldn’t know when they’ll back-stab you.
and connie, i thought you’re describing my previous employer. hahaha
and yes, kahit sa blogging world e may mga ganyan. naturingang mga professional bloggers mga walang manners
Wow, Julie, I would have given an arm and a leg to see the face of the recruiter when you asked all that hehehe
BlogusVox, James Edward Olmos? Yeah. Very inspiring.
Kotsengkuba, re “naturingang mga professional bloggers mga walang manners”
Hay, you said it. And the levels of unprofessionalism vary — from copying content of legit blogs to being mouthpieces of businesses. And all for what — free dinner! LOL
Hah, the problem with the feudal culture, where employees see themselves as fiefs and business owners as Lords, and their manager as knights. That is the paradigm of “security of tenure”. Stay loyal and you will not be booted out.
It’s a matter of perspective really. How do I see myself vis-a-vis my employer? I see myself as a professional offering my services for a fee. If the professional environment ceases to exist, or if the salaries stop coming in, then the relationship is over.
I believe that security of tenure is obsolete, and even my own career reflects it. In my 6 years of work, I am already with my fifth employer. I was part of a company that folded up in bankruptcy; I left a company that was easing out its rank-and-file employees. I have been fired. And I’ve decided to quit for a better offer.
If circumstances dictate, I can leave and find new pastures once more, confident in my skills and maintaining a professional, unemotional relationship with my employers.
Nice philosophy, Jon. You’re NOT an ideal employee according to recruitment standards. Too independent.
Fortunately for me the local IT industry doesn’t mind. Employee piracy is quite high in the industry because of the brain drain. Recruiters don’t care if you’re not loyal to your employers as long as you fit the requirements to fill the team for a particular project. Beneficial to us as well, as we could name our price quite easily.
This is common in IT projects Ms. Sassy. Our company sometimes hire outside people to do a specific project rather than “use” its own personnel. It’s cost effective in the long run.
It’s not also uncommon to see independent IT people. Management understands this and they also give leeway on our eccentricities. We have our own “little turfs” that we guard jealously. Mine are communication programs written in C and C++. Here in the kingdom, very few could master these languages.
POGB: The fee is for the employment agency here in the country plus other expenses. I don’t know if the recruiting officer has a cut but dollars to peanuts, he probably has. Maybe they didn’t want me on-board since I was “tsismosa”. The US wants Fil teachers but they are not going to spend a dime for us to go there, we do. The bulk of the fee goes to the agencies, around 6-7K USD. The rest are essentials: INS, airfare, medical test, etc.
Connie, the recruiting officer is with the US school district. The agency owners are Filipinos.
Blogus Vox: I know what you mean, my husband used to work in an IT/telecoms company who gets sub-con projects from the 2 biggest telecoms here then they get others to do these projects for them, if these are not covered by those in their employ. No security of tenure here, just per project/per day basis. Imagine going up telecoms tower but you are not a regular employee. Naku, bawal na bawal ang mahulog.
Julie,
I suggest you report them to whoever is the agency in the Philippines that police the recruitment agency. Exorbitant placement fee to me is a red flag.
There is one agency owner now in jail in the Philippines that accepted a deposit for 100 applicants when the school board in Las Vegas, Nevada required only 20 teachers.
Sassy,
I agree with Jon on the feudal culture and this is exacerbated by the endemic corruption hopefully the “leaders” in our country should realize by now how they have perverted everything and this must stop or we may see one day a breaking point.
Julie, those amounts are shocking! Teachers would be deep in debt before signing a contract — IF they do at all.
Pedestrial Observer, re: “hopefully the “leaders” in our country should realize by now how they have perverted everything”.
It is NOT ONLY THEM. The common man does it too — from the tricycle drivers to the businessmen to just about everyone — media included.
Indeed, Connie but the leaders are still the ones that can put a stop to all these….. if they themselves are institutionalizing corruption then we can’t expect ordinary citizens not to get infected with the virus we call corruption. Either that or let the people put an end to all the madness unfortunately with corruption so ingrained on the populations’ mindset we may just be going around in a vicious cycle.
Pedestrian Observer, that’s kinda like the chicken and the egg dilemma. Government officials sought those positions with a predilection for corruption beforehand. Power did not corrupt them; they were already corrupt as ordinary citizens.
No one’s responsible for every individual but himself. We all have choices and we can choose not to be corrupt. We don’t need to follow any example.
In corporate world, there is no such thing as security of tenure. There is always a way out of the policy manuals and handbook. I have seen receiverships, merger and corporate takeovers. New management pays homage to strong employee contributions but already downsized headcount before the prepared personnel confidence speech booster. Transitions teams are in place and key accounts are mapped out.
Corporate world follows the rule of competition. The one who can compete, rules. Everybody including your boss is subject to competition. Therefore, you have to create security itself if you wanted security of tenure.
Your boss may rule over you and your skills may be replaceable. But you can make it harder before your boss can think of that option. Make your work harder (intellectual skill) so that it will take 2 or 3 people to do your work.
My bosses (including 2 levels up in HQ) knew the complexity of work, so they devise ways to neutralize your position. One is implementation of backup rotation and training, in the pretext of disability or sickness. To counter this and protect my security, I trained my backups but split the work in many ways that no one can put them together. In essence, I gave them the satisfaction that yes somebody can do piecemeal work in my absence for short time and complied with the protocol but it is another thing running the complete process without me.
Let your bosses know the hard work but keep them happy on fast delivery and well thought dispositions. I made my boss looked very good to HQ. There is good reason to that – he is in good position to fight for my bonus.
You well know you have security of tenure when critical issues do not stop with your boss alone but flow through you.
Ahh, d0d0ng, you sure know how it works in the jungle.
Hahaha, i really love this blogspot! Ang dami kong natututunan! Very informative…