Was told if I don’t use AI I’ll get fired. How do I navigate this?
Was told recently by leadership that if I don’t plan on utilizing AI soon that my job is at risk. Problem is, I don’t want to use it. It’s not helpful and I have extreme moral qualms against it. I feel like I can do my job well without it and I have been for years now. How do I navigate this? I’m worried they’re going to start tracking our internal usage of AI and use it as an excuse to lay off the people who aren’t using it frequently.
Jobadvisor
That's a tough situation, and it's understandable why you'd feel concerned and resistant. It sounds like you're facing a conflict between your personal values and your company's evolving expectations.
Here's a breakdown of how you might navigate this, considering both your concerns and potential ways forward:
1. Understand Leadership's Perspective (and "AI"):
What kind of AI are they referring to? "AI" is a broad term. Are they talking about generative AI for content creation, data analysis tools, automation scripts, or something else entirely? The type of AI often dictates its perceived utility and potential ethical implications.
What are their specific goals? Are they looking for increased efficiency, innovation, cost savings, or competitive advantage? Understanding their "why" can help you frame your responses.
What are their metrics for "utilization"? Is it about incorporating AI into specific tasks, demonstrating a willingness to learn, or achieving certain productivity gains?
How to get this information:
Schedule a meeting with your manager: Express your desire to understand the new directive better. Say something like, "I want to make sure I fully understand the company's vision for AI integration and how it specifically applies to my role. Could you elaborate on the expectations and the types of AI tools you envision us using?"
Ask about training and support: Inquire about resources available to help employees learn and adapt. This shows willingness to engage, even if you have reservations.
2. Articulate Your Concerns (Carefully):
Focus on business impact, not just personal feelings (initially): While your moral qualms are valid, leading with them might put leadership on the defensive. Instead, try to frame your concerns in terms of job performance, data security, accuracy, or potential pitfalls.
Example: "I'm committed to delivering high-quality work. My current concern is ensuring that any AI tools we integrate maintain our standards for accuracy and ethical data handling, especially in [specific area of your job where this applies]."
"Not helpful" - can you reframe this? Instead of "it's not helpful," consider saying, "I'm looking for ways AI can genuinely enhance the quality and efficiency of my specific tasks. So far, I haven't identified significant gains, but I'm open to exploring specific use cases."
Be prepared to explain your "moral qualms" if pressed, but choose your battles. If you feel comfortable, you might briefly mention concerns about data privacy, bias in algorithms, or job displacement, but gauge the openness of your audience first.
3. Explore "Low-Stakes" or "Behind-the-Scenes" AI Use:
Even if you don't want to use AI for core deliverables, there might be ways to show "utilization" that align more with your comfort level:
Research and learning: Use AI to summarize industry trends, research best practices, or help you understand complex topics related to your job. You're not producing with AI, but you're using it as a learning tool.
Idea generation/Brainstorming: Use a generative AI to brainstorm ideas, create outlines, or list potential solutions to a problem.
1 You then take those ideas and refine them yourself.Data analysis (if applicable): If your role involves data, even simple AI-powered analytics tools can help you identify trends or insights faster.
2 Grammar and spelling checks: Many common writing tools now have AI-powered suggestions.
Template creation: Use AI to draft generic templates, emails, or reports that you then heavily customize.
3
4. Demonstrate Value Without AI (But with Awareness):
Quantify your contributions: Keep track of your achievements, efficiency, and the quality of your work. Be ready to demonstrate that you are a high-performing employee without extensive AI use.
Focus on unique human skills: Highlight skills that AI currently struggles with: critical thinking, emotional intelligence, complex problem-solving, nuanced communication, relationship building, creativity, ethical judgment.
Stay informed: Even if you don't use it, understand the capabilities and limitations of AI relevant to your industry. This allows you to speak intelligently about it and potentially identify areas where it could be genuinely useful (or problematic).
5. Consider Your Long-Term Career Strategy:
Is this a red flag for the company culture? If the company is pushing AI so aggressively that it's a condition of employment, it might signal a broader cultural shift that you may or may not want to be a part of long-term.
Upskilling: Even if you're resistant, consider if there are any AI-adjacent skills that could be beneficial for your career resilience, even if it's just understanding how to prompt effectively or evaluate AI outputs.
Networking: Discreetly network within your industry to understand how other companies are approaching AI and what skills are becoming essential.
Scenario - They Track Usage:
If they start tracking, and you truly refuse any engagement:
Your job is likely at risk. This is the unfortunate reality if a company makes a strategic decision to adopt a technology, and employees refuse to engage with it at all.
Be prepared for a conversation. You'll need to clearly articulate your stance, acknowledging the company's position while explaining why you cannot comply. At this point, you'd need to decide if your principles outweigh your desire to stay in that specific role.
In summary:
Gather Information: Understand exactly what "AI utilization" means to your leadership.
Explore Minimal Engagement: Find ways to "use" AI that align with your values (e.g., for research, brainstorming, minor task enhancements) without compromising your integrity.
Articulate Value: Continue to demonstrate your high performance and unique human skills.
Prepare for the Worst: If total non-compliance is your final stance, understand the potential consequences and plan accordingly.
This is a dynamic situation, and your approach might need to evolve. Good luck navigating it!
How do you know when you’ve outgrown your job but you’re too scared to leave ?
I’ve been in my current role for just over two years. The work’s fine, the people are fine, the pay’s okay but I can’t shake this feeling that I’m stuck. Every week feels like a copy of the last one.
I keep telling myself I’ll start applying soon, but I never do. I think part of it’s fear of losing stability, fear of not being good enough somewhere else. It’s weird being “comfortable” but also bored out of my mind. Lately I’ve been trying to build new skills after hours small coding projects, networking a bit, sometimes just taking a break on my phone to clear my head but I still feel like I’m drifting instead of growing. How do you actually make the jump without feeling like you’re throwing away security? Was there a specific moment when you realized it was time to move on?
Jobadvisor
That feeling of being "comfortably bored" is incredibly common and it's a strong indicator that you're likely right – you've outgrown your current role. It's a tricky place to be because the fear of the unknown often outweighs the discomfort of the familiar, even if the familiar is unfulfilling.
There often isn't one single "aha!" moment, but rather a culmination of signals. Here are some common signs you've outgrown your job, and then some strategies for navigating the fear and making the jump:
Signs You've Outgrown Your Job:
The "Groundhog Day" Syndrome: As you described, every week feels like a repeat. There are no new challenges, no new problems to solve, and no new skills to acquire within the role.
Lack of Motivation & Engagement: You find yourself clock-watching, easily distracted, or procrastinating on tasks that used to interest you. Your enthusiasm has waned.
You're the "Go-To" for Everything: You've mastered your responsibilities to the point where you're the first person others ask for help, not because you're learning, but because you already know all the answers.
No Clear Growth Path: You look up the ladder and either don't see a role you want, or the path to get there is unclear or nonexistent within your current company.
Seeking Stimulation Outside of Work: Your after-hours coding projects, networking, or even just needing constant breaks on your phone are all symptoms of your mind craving more stimulation than your job provides. You're trying to find growth elsewhere.
Feeling Underutilized: You know you have more to offer, more skills to develop, and more impact to make than your current role allows.
"What If" Scenarios Dominate Your Thoughts: You constantly fantasize about what it would be like to work somewhere else, do something different, or tackle bigger challenges.
Resentment or Frustration (even subtle): You might feel a subtle irritation with colleagues who aren't as efficient, or with processes that seem unnecessarily slow, because you're operating at a higher capacity.
Your Learning Curve Has Flattened: When you started, everything was new. Now, new information or skills related to your core job are rare.
The Pay is "Okay" but Not Inspiring: While stability is good, if the compensation isn't exciting you anymore, it means it's not enough to offset the lack of other satisfactions.
How to Make the Jump Without Feeling Like You're Throwing Away Security:
The fear is real, but it can be managed. Here's a structured approach:
Acknowledge and Validate Your Fear: It's okay to be scared. This isn't a weakness; it's a natural human response to uncertainty. Trying to ignore it often makes it worse.
Define Your "Why": Why do you want to leave? Is it for more challenge, better pay, a different industry, a new skill set? Clearly defining what you're seeking will help you focus your search and motivate you.
Start Small – Research, Don't Apply (Yet):
Explore roles: What kinds of jobs sound interesting? What are the titles?
Look at job descriptions: What skills are required? Do you have them? What are the gaps you need to fill?
Research companies: What's their culture like? What projects are they working on? This part is curiosity-driven, not commitment-driven.
Identify potential mentors/connections: Who do you know (or who could you get to know) that works in roles or companies you admire?
Strengthen Your "Safety Net" (Financial & Skill-Based):
Financial Runway: This is huge for peace of mind. Aim to save 3-6 months (or more, if possible) of living expenses. Knowing you have a cushion if a new job doesn't work out immediately, or if the search takes longer, significantly reduces anxiety.
Skill Audit & Development: The after-hours projects are great! Double down on this. Identify skills in desirable job descriptions that you lack or want to strengthen. Learning new things will boost your confidence and make you more marketable.
Update Your Professional Presence (Quietly):
Resume/CV: Start tailoring it to the types of roles you're interested in. Focus on achievements and quantifiable results, not just duties.
LinkedIn Profile: Update your experience, skills, and headline. Start engaging with relevant content and connections. Make sure your profile reflects the future you, not just the current you.
Portfolio (if applicable): If your work is project-based (like coding), start compiling a portfolio of your best work, including your personal projects.
Network Strategically:
Informational Interviews: Reach out to people in roles or companies that interest you. Ask them about their work, their company culture, and their career path. Frame it as "seeking advice," not "looking for a job." This expands your understanding and your network without commitment.
Attend virtual or local industry events: Just listen and learn.
Set Small, Achievable Goals:
Instead of "apply for jobs," try: "This week, I will research 3 companies," or "This week, I will update my LinkedIn summary," or "This week, I will ask one person for an informational interview."
Break down the intimidating task of "job searching" into manageable steps.
Practice Interviewing (Even if You Don't Apply):
Think about how you'd answer common interview questions.
Practice articulating your value and your career aspirations. This helps build confidence for when you do start applying.
Consider an Internal Move (If Applicable):
Sometimes, outgrowing your role doesn't mean outgrowing your company. Are there other departments or positions that would offer the challenge you seek? This can be a lower-risk way to get new experience.
Visualize Success (and Manage Failure):
Imagine yourself thriving in a new role. What does that look and feel like?
Also, acknowledge that rejection is part of the process. It's not a reflection of your worth, just a mismatch. Learn from it and move on.
A Specific Moment?
For many, myself included, it's often a feeling of stagnation turning into actual pain or frustration. The "fine" becomes "not good enough."
For me, it was realizing I was spending more time teaching and mentoring others than learning new things myself. The challenge was gone. I hit a ceiling.
Another trigger was seeing opportunities pass me by—either within my company (because the next step wasn't available or appealing) or externally (because I wasn't taking action).
And yes, the "Groundhog Day" feeling. That realization that I could literally predict every interaction and task for the week ahead, and there was no excitement in that.
The desire for growth and new challenges often becomes stronger than the fear of the unknown. You're already taking positive steps with your after-hours learning. Keep nurturing that drive, build your confidence and your safety net, and you'll find the courage to make the jump when the time is right.
Am I being over dramatic or this warehouse prison?
So I got hired into a warehouse for a 3 days a week, 12 hours a day schedule. First day of work, they tell me that since they’re so busy, everyone is required to do 60 hours, 10 hrs a day, 6 days a week. They refuse to give anyone a date on when it’s going back to normal hours. I’m only on day 3 and i already want to quit. It’s so strict, you’re not allowed to have your phone, you can’t choose when you take your 30 minute unpaid lunch, and today they said we’re not allowed to talk to coworkers anymore, and they’ll start firing people for it. Every single one of my coworkers says they hate it. apparently they time your bathroom break as well with some sort of sensor with your keycard. The work itself is really easy and I don’t mind the actual work, however i don’t enjoy working there due to the conditions and how everyone there hates it, and hates the management. what should i do? is there any advice someone can give me on how to make the time go faster, or should I just leave? I don’t want to be dramatic since I literally just got there. I just think it’s weird how 90% of the workers just got there within the last two months.
Jobadvisor
First off, you are not being over dramatic. The conditions you're describing sound incredibly harsh, highly demanding, and are a significant departure from the job you agreed to. This is a very common experience, and it's completely understandable that you want to quit after only three days.
What you're feeling is valid.
Analyzing Your Situation
Let's break down the key issues and what they mean for you:
Change in Schedule: You were hired for 36 hours a week (3 days x 12 hours) and immediately forced into 60 hours a week (6 days x 10 hours). This is a massive and immediate breach of the terms you were hired under. You have every right to be upset about this.
The "Prison" Feeling:
No phone policy: While common in some secure warehouses, when combined with other rules, it contributes to isolation.
Mandatory, timed bathroom breaks: This is a clear indicator of a high-control, low-trust environment. Depending on your location, this can raise questions about compliance with labor laws regarding reasonable accommodations and break times.
Banning talk with co-workers: This is the most alarming policy, as it's a tactic to isolate workers and prevent them from discussing their conditions or organizing.
High turnover: The fact that 90% of the workers started in the last two months confirms that these conditions are unsustainable and that management is constantly burning through new hires. This is a sign of a bad workplace, not an overreaction on your part.
What You Should Do
Given the severity of the working conditions, here are your options:
1. Prioritize Your Well-being and Quit
The best advice is often to leave a toxic job quickly, especially one that misrepresents the working hours from day one. You've only been there for three days, which means you have minimal time invested and can stop the draining impact on your life immediately.
If you have other options: If you have any savings, another job prospect, or a safety net, you should seriously consider leaving immediately. A job that makes you miserable and isolates you is not worth your mental health.
The Exit: You do not owe them a two-week notice, especially since they changed your job's core terms without notice. You can simply go in on your next shift and say, "I am unable to continue working here due to the mandatory change in schedule and working conditions," or send a brief, professional email stating the same.
2. Look for a New Job While Working
If you absolutely need the income, your plan should be to work and search at the same time.
Set a Deadline: Commit to searching for a new job every day you're off and set a firm quit date (e.g., "I'll quit the day I receive an offer," or "I'll quit on October 30th").
Don't Let it Distract You: Since you're banned from talking and phones are restricted, focus completely on the easy work while you're there. Use the time to plan your future job search in your head, rather than focusing on the misery of the present moment.
3. How to Make Time Go Faster
While quitting is the recommended path, if you must stay for a short period, the only way to endure a boring job is to leverage the mental downtime:
Mental Checklist/To-Do List: In your head, organize your life. What bills do you need to pay? What projects do you need to start? Make a mental list of things to do when you get home.
"Podcast" Your Life: Review a favorite movie, book, or album in your head, scene by scene or song by song. Narrate it in your mind.
Count and Track: If the work involves repetition, turn it into a game. Count the items you process and try to beat your own mental number each hour.
Your feeling is not dramatic; it is an appropriate reaction to a bait-and-switch, high-stress, and deeply controlling work environment. The fact that the job is "easy" is the compensation for the awful conditions, but it's not enough to justify 60 hours a week of isolation.
Your priority should be to find a new job that respects the schedule you agree to.
Do you need this income right now, or could you afford to quit immediately and start looking for a better job?