“That’s not my job.”
This phrase has become a lightning rod for criticism, frequently labeled as arrogant and lazy. A viral Facebook meme hammers the point home, encouraging employees to “chip in to help with what needs to be done, even if it’s not your responsibility.” It ends with a moralistic mic drop: “Do what needs to be done or help someone find the solution. Period. Even when nobody’s watching.”
But is the problem really employees saying, “That’s not my job”?
The Bigger Issue: Unrealistic Expectations
This meme feeds into the growing social media sentiment that “no one wants to work anymore.” It drives a wedge between employers who are desperate to hire and employees who are simply trying to survive. Just as employers stalk potential candidates’ social media, employees are doing the same. Everyone’s watching, but instead of fostering understanding, it’s creating animosity.
Here’s the reality: the problem isn’t that people don’t want to work—it’s that people are exhausted from being expected to give more than they’re compensated for. The concept of “going above and beyond” has become the baseline expectation, often at the employee’s expense. What was once an exception is now the rule.
Pay a Living Wage, Not Lip Service
Let me give you an example. A local business recently posted a managerial position for $7.25 an hour. Yes, you read that right—a manager at $7.25 an hour. This isn’t a struggling mom-and-pop shop. This is a subsidiary of a parent company worth $1.785 billion. And guess what? That position is still open. “That’s not my job.”
Meanwhile, the unemployment rate in North Carolina is 3.9%, or about 197,000 people. That’s comparable to pre-pandemic levels. The narrative that people don’t want to work simply doesn’t hold water.
I attended a job fair recently where the line of applicants wrapped around the building—people standing in the rain, resumes in hand, hoping for an opportunity. About 300 to 500 people were vying for positions at one company. This isn’t the behavior of a workforce that’s lazy or unwilling to work. This is desperation. People want to work, but they also want to be paid fairly—enough to support their families without juggling bills at the end of the month.
You Get What You Pay For
It’s no secret that small businesses have tighter profit margins than mega-corporations like Amazon. But if you’re offering minimum wage, you should expect minimum effort. Employees aren’t going to feel motivated to go the extra mile when they’re barely scraping by.
The companies that are struggling to hire need to stop pointing fingers at the workforce and start looking inward. Are you paying enough to attract talent? Are you creating an environment where employees feel valued and respected? Or are you leaning on the expectation that people will “step up” and do more for less?
The “Not My Job” Mentality Is a Symptom
When someone says, “That’s not my job,” it’s not a sign of laziness. It’s a sign that boundaries are being set. Employees are drawing a line between their job description and the endless stream of tasks employers often pile on without additional compensation.
Here’s a truth employers need to hear: burnout is real. People are tired of being treated like cogs in a machine, expected to shoulder responsibilities outside their role without acknowledgment, gratitude, or fair pay.
The Social Narrative Needs to Change
This meme—and the broader narrative it supports—frames employees as the villains. It tells workers that they’re selfish for setting boundaries while ignoring the systemic issues that created this dynamic in the first place.
Employees aren’t the problem. Unrealistic expectations, inadequate pay, and a lack of respect for workers are the real culprits.
A Call to Action
The next time you see a meme like this, think critically. Ask yourself: why are we shaming employees instead of holding employers accountable? Why are we tolerating billion-dollar companies paying poverty wages?
To the businesses out there: if you’re struggling to fill positions, take a hard look at what you’re offering. Are you meeting the needs of the workforce, or are you just hoping someone will settle for less?
To the workers: don’t let anyone guilt you into sacrificing your well-being. Setting boundaries doesn’t make you lazy—it makes you human.
We are better than this. As a society, we need to shift the focus from blaming individuals to addressing the systemic issues that perpetuate these toxic dynamics. Let’s stop buying into the narrative that the “not my job” mentality is the problem and start demanding better from those in power.
Check out more of my Thoughts and Things!