I notice a lot of people use terms like "psychotic" or "psychopath" as insults and negative descriptions on here. These are clinical terms that are used to describe real people with difficulties, not boogeymen! I don't disagree with the sentiment that these people are doing wrong, but if you wouldn't use the r-slur or "autistic" as an insult (which you shouldn't) then you shouldn't use these words either. And I get the idea of calling someone delusional, but take care that you don't just mean "I disagree with them." Though by posting on neurodiverse I imagine I'm preaching to the choir.
Sincerely, a casual schizoaffective disorder haver.
Just to add to the conversation, it is incredible how many words are rooted in ableism. If you're not actively checking your language, you likely use some words that aren't cool without knowing it. I grew up in the 90's which was right before people took this stuff seriously. I hate to admit it, but when I was a kid/teen, my best friend was more on the ball about this stuff and would point it out to me all the time. He really helped me think harder about the words I use.
Also there's this weird problem straight white males over a certain age have where their bigoted ass co workers just assume you're cool with it, and You're faced with the choice of causing a stink and facing being fired or ostracized, or you can let it roll off your back. There's definitely a middle ground, but it comes with risks to your livelihood just the same.
This one sucks, and I personally struggle with it surprisingly often. Ableism is the most common where I work, but of course these coworkers smuggle in other shit too. It's hard to find the line of correcting coworkers vs protecting your job (right to work state, so of course employment never feels entirely secure). That being said, I have had pretty decent luck with a few more senior people at my current job, there's just a lot of pushback on anything they do not immediately understand. Still don't feel comfortable enough to unmask around these people or be out at work by any means, but there is that sliver of a silver lining.
Right to work is a crime against humanity, full stop. I live in a slightly more civilized country where that would be absolutely unthinkable to put into law and is SUPER illegal to practice. Co-workers being ableist etc and management allowing it or worse participating is something you could report to the labor board because in a normal place a right to work means that you are protected from discrimination on the job from co-workers and especially employers. Your boss catches shit from the government and probably gets fined and you're basically immune from being fired after because if it could be linked to being retaliatory in any way, that's even worse. Instead you'll just get your hours cut down to next to nothing so you have to quit. To legally fire someone there needs to be written cause and certain causes are protected from immediate termination and require a written warning and then a repeat of whatever violation. Now, a LOT of people here don't know their rights and haven't read the labor code, but we are covered for that stuff.
that's still fucked tho and is "constructive dismissal"
My job is surprisingly in a good place with that stuff right now. That hasn't been the case most o the time I've been there though. If it was bad enough, we say something to management. Sometimes I just have to let it roll off my back though. That doesn't mean I partake, but I tell myself "they're the one being shitty. Just because it hits my ears doesn't make me complicit". I wish we lived in a world where we could stand up every time, but that's just not how people are in the US.
It seems to be trending better though
I have found workplace wise that most of the 'above a certain age' crowd is finally mostly out ofnthe work force. I've certainly seen a big turnaround working kitchens that way, probably cause line cooks age out earlier, once you start getting to around 50, you gotta find something that destroys your body less. They used to be absolute cesspits of toxic masculinity and it's almost completely reverses what was normal just like 7 years ago will get your ass fired now cause the chef is an older millennial, the more senior staff are in their 30s and the main bulk of grunts are Gen z, that and the demographics of the working poor have gotten way further left and a LOT more queer.
My job is essentially ran by a 40ish year old turbolib woman who is pretty good about removing bad elements. I've worked with her for over a decade and she's told me over the years that she's had a lot of trouble with older men having that "I have pairs of jeans older than you" mentality. You're right about the old people getting phased out though. Most of the people I work with are around 40. It's weird and cool seeing what Gen Z has been bringing to the table though.
First generation to not be able to say the F slur in elementary school. As a group on general, kitchen wise, they're usually fucking awesome. Quick on the up take, usually not afraid to ask questions and what they ask tends to show they're looking at the big picture where old dudes working the line are tunnel vision AF, and they don't take shit. As a millenial, their average guys seem to be as good as our pretty good guys. Most of their worst guys are only as bad as our bottom tier average guys. There's for sure been a bump up in decency. Generations are fake anyway, but there seems to be a general sense of solidarity between us as well, like we're just the same people but older, Gen x is now known for its TERFs and boomers are boomers. There can be some kinda funny splits regarding pop culture stuff but aside from that, it's basically the same people.