There is a rather bizarre lawsuit in France that is likely to reaffirm the view of many that the French labor force is noncompetitive due to long-standing expectations of employees about mandatory work conditions, vacations, and protections. Frederic Desnard wants 360,000 euros (£300,000) under a claim of a “bore out” or boredom’s equivalent of burnout.
Desnard says that he is being “killed professionally through boredom” by his 80,000-euro-a-year job. He is an executive in a perfume business. Frankly, as the grandson of a coal miner on my Italian side and a cooper on my Irish side, I find the notion of a protected right to be engaged and excited by work to be rather precious. We should all strive for such fulfillment and you can quit to secure more engaging employment. However, to sue your employer because you are bored is rather presumptuous in my view. Many people are struggling to find employment today and only dream of a job with this type of compensation.
Yet, experts say that bored employees represent a serious health crisis and one expert,Dr Sandi Mann (referred to as a “Boredom expert” in these articles),says that workers likely die earlier to the boring conditions.
I do not question the health impact of such work, but I cannot imagine a legal basis for such a claim — or a way to rationally distinguish between jobs that are mildly engaging and jobs that are legally boring.
What do you think?
@squeek
I have a cat too as well as a Peruvian guinea pig – he is beautiful – long hair. I have only ever driven through TX on my way out West. Have friends in Austin I’d like to visit as I hear it is a cool city. And have been to New Orleans once which I did not really like. LA is not my cuppa. We were driving though some swamp like area and stopped to get a bite to eat in a small town. It was like a movie – we walk in and everyone stops and stares so we left. So when I think of LA I think of Deliverance =)
But obviously you are thriving in your environment………
@Autumn
Deep East Texas near the Louisiana border. But, I spend most of my time in Louisiana. I don’t say exactly where because I have watched those LifeTime Channel movies where Internet stalkers trap you and then keep you in a wooden box under their bed for years. Who would feed my cats, and all the little birds in the yard???
Squeeky Fromm
Girl Reporter
@squeek
I’m curious (another trait we have in common aside from intensity) – where do you live?
@tom
re: “And if the miniscule number of Bernie walkouts when HRC spoke is any indication..”
really? lots of Berniebots did not even show up for the coronation – especially after Nina Turner was not allowed to speak. And you do know about the DNC hiring actors to sit in and shill for Hill right??
Ok, now I get it – another Correct the Record person like Rose and SWM
I wish y’all would understand – it’s about integrity – under NO circumstances will we EVER vote for HRC
@Autumn
Please integrity is why I continue to support Bernie’s choice. His remarks have changed my position not HRC’s “sterling performance”. I respect your decision in that regard for Stein or another third party but to play the integrity card with Trump is quite a stretch.
@TomW
No, I have not read that book. I will add it to my list. I have like 5 books coming in over the next few days, but two are music books. The other three are by some guy named Minoque, who is British and their analysis is usually very readable, and then Liberal Fascism by Jonah Goldberg. But I will try to get a copy of your suggestion.
No need to thank me for talking. Heck, most people thank me for shutting up! LOL!
Squeeky Fromm
Girl Reporter
PS: And on the immigrants, I agree that the jobs they get are not usually ones that require degrees. Which is why the huge numbers of them make such a disparate impact on poor blacks and hispanics and whites already here. In my experience, the illegals are a heck of a lot harder working than our poor, of all colors, and are better employees. BUT, don’t we have an obligation to take care of our own first? And not just blacks. There are a lot of lazy meth-head type white boys that need to need a swift quick in the rear to motivate them. It is pretty darn hard for construction companies around here to find good hard workers. Sooo, illegal Mexicans are building the casas and roofing the houses.
@Squeeky Fromm
I believe that citing the exception to the rule often contributes to confusion and sometimes overstatement. Blacks in America (and I know this will cause you to pull out your guns) have their own unique reasons for high poverty, imprisonment, crime, and family isdues related to the place systems have structured for them— are there exceptions, obviously. Those exceptions are trotted out by many to give cause for further labelling. But the opposite was true during slavery.
Granted immigrants take low paying jobs but the tragedy goes beyond the unemployed. By far the biggest cut of those in poverty are the working poor who slave under minimum wage jobs with no benefits (vacation or health, etc.).
Yes, there have been times I have desired your silence but mostly due not to its content but to its insanely diminutive quality.
@tom
So I assume you saw Bernie’s visage tonite as HRC gave her screech? Forgive me, but I am a bit of a conspiracy theorist – I followed Bernie, donated, phone banked and then he caved? IMO opinion the Clintons threatened to harm Jane or the grands. They are THAT evil.
@Autumn
Yeah, I’ve heard that mush. You’ll grow out of conspiracy theories one day, hopefully.
Thanks for the conversation.
@Darren
IMO you are spot on! re: “Hopefully the younger generation will see what the Democratic party has reduced itself to and jump in with those of other political alignments, form their own third party political organizations and turn their backs on the Democrats and the Republicans for good. Relegate them to the dustbins of the past.”
That is happening right now in Philly!
@tom
I love Sheldon Wolin — was introduced to him by a Chris Hedges interview. Yep, inverted totalitarianism is where we are. IF we accept it. I do not. Like Sisyphus, I will continue my labors. And do everything I can to ensure that HRC does not enter the WH.
@tom
whoops! I meant to say Nader
Hillary Clinton is the Democrat’s candidate in part because of this “lesser of two evils” qualification many afford her. People need to stop voting for highly flawed candidates completely. If they did the political machines would be forced to provide candidates who were actually suitable for the position or face defeat in general elections.
I seldom announce for whom I vote in a public forum but in the case of Hillary Clinton I regard her as corrupt. Once a politician is corrupted, there are no redeeming qualities of any kind that will restore them to a position of suitability for office. It astounds me that we expect ordinary civil servants to adhere to their oaths of office and remain above board but in the case of many politicians in general and Hillary Clinton in particular the requirement to be free of cronyism, corruption, malfeasances, and lawful behavior goes out the window. How can we elect a president that over seventy percent of the public does not fully trust? Have we lost our minds? Of all the positions in the country the presidency requires the most trust and legitimacy.
Hillary Clinton, stripped of her name and protection, would fail a background test to be a records clerk in a secure area of a local police department. Why? Just look at the constant scandal and how she handled classified records. She would never qualify for even a basic security clearance level and with all the dubious influence peddling she has engaged in it would require a large team of forensic accountants just to do the financial on her. I cannot imagine what the polygraph would reveal. Maybe nothing since she is such a conditioned liar she would never rise above a baseline.
Hopefully the younger generation will see what the Democratic party has reduced itself to and jump in with those of other political alignments, form their own third party political organizations and turn their backs on the Democrats and the Republicans for good. Relegate them to the dustbins of the past.
@Darren Smith
Thank you for your comments. I respect your input always on this blog and admit that I quite often skip down to read your comments and very much enjoy your contributions on the weekend (with the exception of blogs that deal with tedios legal matters).
I agree with most of your observations but the thing that draws me back to Bernie’s support of HRC is do we really want Trump to appoint our nect Chief Justices? Stein is not on the ballot in all states which tells me her grass roots is not that strong. And if the miniscule number of Bernie walkouts when HRC spoke is any indication, then her grass roots support will not be adequate.
@tom
thanks for your thoughtful response. I have heard that criticism before about Jill. I think because Bernie ran under the Demoncrat umbrella rather as an indy he got more attention. I see the establishment punishing candidates who dare to run as indies — look at what happened with Gore. He had a “yuuge” following yet was not even allowed to debate with Gore and Bush. The Demoncrats love to blame him for the loss, but that’s nonsense. Gore could not even carry his own damn state! He chose to align himself with that descipable Zionist Lieberman as VP and then when the votes were screwed in FL did not even demand a recount. The RNC and DNC are two sides of the same corporate-owned coin!!
So, I love Bernie and will always appreciate him for being a catalyst. But no, I will NEVER vote for HRC. Jill 2016 or even Trump is preferable as he’s an outsider.
@Autumn
Gore did win; the courts decided the election prior to the recount. A week ago I would have said the same— Stein or Trump. But I still trust the wisdom of that gentle, humble Bernie. But I do understand your choice and I agree with few exceptions that both parties are owned by big banks, big corporations, and Wall Street. But I lack confidence in Stein being able to get there and I don’t want Trump to appoint our next Chief Justices which will impact the lives of millenials and younger for decades. Thanks for your input.
@Autumn
Thank you! I started to work in people who lost their homes, but it was getting too long. Sooo, I just focused on jobs. Losing them to trade deals, to H1B visas, and old folks who can’t afford to retire. Which only adds to the unemployment of younger people.
Squeeky Fromm
Girl Reporter
#jillnothill
#whichhillary
#neverhillary
#bernieorbust
Obama sez “don’t boo, vote” yep, that’s why we are voting Jill Stein or Donald Trump
@squeek
Is it ugly of me to remark that HRC has had “work” done? Maybe that’s why she hasn’t had a presser since December.
squeek, watching HRC right now. Even Cenk cannot spin this!!
@squeek
Right on my sistah from anotha motha!! I was delighted in the song that you wrote you included the plight of Americans who ARE highly educated – computer science folk, double EE engineers who have been totally screwed by the H1B visas.
Darn this sentence came out missing a few words:
This: For example, I have repeatedly asked a very simple question about illegal immigration: Is there any economic benefit to a country, with massive amount of unemployment among predominantly unskilled workers, millions of more of such unskilled workers?
Should be this: For example, I have repeatedly asked a very simple question about illegal immigration: Is there any economic benefit to a country, with massive amounts of unemployment among predominantly unskilled workers, BRINGING IN millions of more of such unskilled workers?
Squeeky Fromm
Girl Reporter
@TomWisdom
No. I support Trump because he understands the major problems facing the country, and is willing to say something about them. Personally, I think HRC, and most of the other 1%er’s understand, too. BUT, they are financially and politically invested in the status quo.
For example, I have repeatedly asked a very simple question about illegal immigration: Is there any economic benefit to a country, with massive amount of unemployment among predominantly unskilled workers, millions of more of such unskilled workers?
There is no school of economic thought which says there is. There are political benefits if you think the influx will eventually vote for your party. There are economic benefits to employers who benefit from depressed wages. But is there any financial benefit to the country as a whole? Does it help our workers? Does it help the unemployed? Does it help unskilled blacks? Does it reduce our deficit?
I have yet to get a simple direct answer to that question from any liberal on this website. I have been called racissst!, anti-Hispanic, and other names. But I have never gotten a good answer. Some people have argued that long time illegal residents should remain, but they ain’t long time if they are just now coming over the border, as they are doing in droves over the last few years.
Further, no candidate except Trump even addresses the issue except to mumble around about comprehensive immigration reform. Gee, we already have a law that addresses this issue. It calls for deporting illegal aliens.
As far as Trump’s seventh grade language, I think we are getting to the source of your belief. It is that you are intellectually superior to him, and other conservatives, and perhaps even morally superior to us as well, since the two beliefs often seem to go hand in hand. But what is the rational basis for that belief, if you don’t actually address the problem, and fix it? Or any problem for that manner.
It has been my experience that people who speak on a 7th grade level tend to get more things done. And that they are usually just as capable of intelligent thought as post-docs. I say that as someone who is quite capable of hanging in on conversations well above that 7th grade level. But people like me, who like poetry, and art, and reading aren’t necessarily more intelligent than people who fix cars, for example. It is just that we have different interests, and are good at different things.
The people who actually have to go out and do things, can not afford to be starry eyed dreamers and idealists. They live in the real world. A college professor may be very smart, and have a knowledge of pre-Raphaelite art, but that doesn’t make his mouth a prayer book.
Sooo, I try to look at things outside of any class conscious slant. I try to just see things for what they are. Trump does the same thing. And he is a good person from what I have seen. His answers may sound simple, but maybe that is because many times the simple answer is the one that works best. I think there is a high brow phrase for answers – – – Occam’s Razor.
Sooo, too many illegals equal crime and depressed wages and increase unemployment and underemployment, Answer: Send them home.
Massive wage arbitrage results in factories being located overseas, which results in local unemployment, and poverty. Answer: Bring the factories home, or add tariffs.
Sometimes it don’t take a rocket scientist.
Squeeky Fromm
Girl Reporter
@Squeeky Fromm
Thanks, you’ve said a lot. I’m wondering whose jobs all these undocumented workers are taking. Here in Texas they appear mostly in basic service jobs. I doubt that many are holding jobs that recent graduates would have. As far as illegal immigration it is down from previous years according to the President’s recent speech at the DNC. I’m not a specialist on immigration and actually see it as a minor issue compated to many others that face our country such as big money in politics, the influence of big corporations, big banks, and Wall Street in our political system. Others of course, mostly issues raised by Sanders. Mass deportation just won’t work economically but no need to get in a contest of words over that.
I’ll admit that my comment about his speech habits was a slam on him but as a lifetime educator I know that is his level of conversation. I’m not being elitist. I have worked most of my life among people of limited means and find them to be extraordinary. But neither does one’s humble background or lack of education and experience necessarily qualify one as presidential material (there are exceptions). Trump is anti-establishment and that is his draw for millenials (and some of us older ones) as it was for Bernie. Occam’s razor has been used on some social/economic issues with some rather devastating results (i.e., the “final solution” for the Nazis).
Many of the issues you mention are the product of corporate greed not immigration. Capitalism by it’s very nature is attracted to low wages (slavery being one of the most wretched instances). Corporate profits are up as is the stock market but most earnings of these profits (about 85%) have gone to the 1%. Think about that. The rest of the people who workef to produce that capital only received 15% of it. Every economic speech Trump gives is about trickle down economics a favorite of the 1%. There is much with which I agree with you like when you talk of tariffs and penalties on corporations that move jobs out of the US. I believe in the radical notion that corporations should be limited in size to promote more entrepreneurs from the public. But corporations are not patriotic except to the US dollar. They, along with Wall Street and big banks are the slsve masters of today.
Have you read Sheldon Wolin’s “Democracy Incorporated”?
Thanks again for this interaction.
@tom
I’m jumping in – not to answer for the Squeek cause God knows she has her own fierce voice!
But as a fellow Berniebot to tell you that just as the MSM has been derisive towards us – we are all millineals living in our parent’s basement, we are all privalaged white folks, we all want free hand outs, we are being childish/mean by not supporting HRC, etc. They have done the same thing with the Donald – his supporters are racist, stupid, hateful, etc. I have found myself in the odd position of defending Trump to my Hil-tard friends. I don’t like the man, but I consider him to be less dangerous. And on the issues he makes a lot of sense – anti TPP, downsizing NATO, vetting immigrants…..
Jill NOT HILL
@Autumn
I appreciate your comments. Maybe why you don’t like “the man” needs to be flushed out. I’ve been a consistent supporter of Bernie from day one and I believe him when he says we must defeat Trump because of how dangerous he is. I would prefer Jill but she will not even be on the ballot in all the states. She’s had many years to develop her base and lacks any substantial support in a number of states while Bernie created a revolution in a few months. I don’t see that as leadership which qualifies as presidential material. Thanks again!