Work in IT is ever-evolving. Once you become an expert in one aspect of your job, it updates, and everything changes. But IT workers know this and choose this—they got in the game for this exact reason. It keeps them on their toes and keeps their creative problem-solving fresh and new every time. With the way society is unfolding, it appears we are always going to need IT workers.
So why is it that toxic managers are still going to toxic manage? Why can't they evolve like the work they manage? One IT worker shared a story from the early 2010s of toxic management when he started working in IT. The client cut back 5% in pay, so OP's company wanted to cut everyone's salary by 5%. When the workers made it clear they would walk if they did such a thing, the company sent an email saying that they were going to strictly enforce a new policy for overtime. Now, nobody could take overtime without permission from the company, "no exceptions." OP immediately knew this was going to be a problem since they have instances where they have to fix something ASAP after hours.
Of course, that day came, and his manager said he needed to come in immediately to fix an issue for the client. OP simply said he couldn't unless he got authorization from the company CEO, who happened to be on a long-weekend camping trip. The manager was furious and, come the next business day, had gotten the CEO of the company and the client's CIO to give him a talking-to. Fortunately, OP had the email stating the new overtime policy, and instead of him getting burnt, the company did. The policy was quickly redacted, and he stayed at the job for another two years. Sometimes a little malicious compliance is necessary to detoxify your upper management.
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