Working World

We all need to vent our frustrations from time to time, especially about our jobs and bosses. It’s human nature. And “job rage” is at an all-time high along with unemployment statistics. But unless you’re a professional rapper like Cam’ron, shouting out to the working world, “I hate my job!” is a bad idea.

It used to be a guilty pleasure to commiserate with friends over a cup of joe or over a margarita with colleagues after hours. But the Internet changed all that. Numerous websites like JobVent.com and WorkRant.com exist to egg us on.

With immediately gratifying — and anonymous — options such as Craigslist’s “Rants & Raves” public forum, the temptation to air the dirty laundry without regard for the consequences can overtake one’s better judgment.

But if you’re visiting those sites and posting while on the job, you may have already significantly put yourself at risk. Many corporations have monitoring systems in place that track employee computer use and — shockingly — it is perfectly legal for them to do so.

Even if you wait to vent from home there’s a chance your comments could be traceable. Or, if you vent in public, someone nearby may overhear and they don’t have to be Big Brother to cause damage. What to do? Here are some alternative solutions to help you release the angst without sabotaging your career:

• Anything negative should be said in the privacy of your own home. Unless of course your wife is your boss.

• Create a journal and write all your frustrations in it. Then create another journal and write all your positive experiences and reasons to be grateful in it. Don’t be surprised that eventually your attitude will improve and you’ll only need the gratitude journal.

• Channel the negative stories into creativity, i.e. you can turn vitriol into humor and create a fictional blog about your lame job or your despicable boss. Be sure to post a disclaimer about all the characters bearing no resemblance to any persons living or dead.  


Katy Allgeyer is an artist and freelance writer. She is a columnist for Working World and Working Nurse magazines and her features have appeared there and in Feng Shui Times, The Art of WellBeing, You & Me Magazine and others.