Oregon is Not Home to Unhappy Workers Despite its High-Stress Tech Industries, Study Says
Despite its high-stress tech industries, Oregon is not home to an unhappy workforce, according to an analysis of 50,000 TikTok posts by people complaining about their jobs.
Closest to the Top is Hillsboro
The closest to the top that the Beaver State reached was #95, the position held by Hillsboro, home to Intel’s largest Research and Development and Manufacturing semiconductor site globally.
According to 921 workers who posted about their job dissatisfaction on TikTok, the long hours and stress experienced in tech industries do not make a happy workforce cocktail.
Intense Pressure, Tight Deadlines, and Mythical Paid Time Off
The posts say the ‘pressure is intense, deadlines are tight, and the Paid Time Off feels mythical.’
Portland Workers are Overworked and Undercommunicated
Next at #177 is Portland, where 503 workers posted that despite the city’s quirky and creative vibe, they are overworked and undercommunicated.
Leadership is Absent in Gresham
Hot on its heels at #187 is Gresham, where 457 workers complain about repetitive work and absent leadership.
The Study Focused on Five Hashtags
The study focused on five hashtags: #Burnout, #HateMyJob, #WorkSucks, ToxicWorkplace, and #BadBoss. Other hashtags that featured prominently are #NotLivingTheDream, #MondayMisery, and #WhyAmIHere. These paint a clear picture of unhappiness and frustration in the workplace.
| Hashtag | Usually points to | Common themes |
|---|---|---|
| #Burnout | Chronic overload | Long hours / relentless deadlines / no recovery time |
| #HateMyJob | Low morale | Feeling stuck / unfair treatment / lack of respect |
| #WorkSucks | Day to day frustration | Bad processes / chaotic schedules / constant fire drills |
| #ToxicWorkplace | Hostile culture | Bullying / retaliation fears / unfair discipline |
| #BadBoss | Management failures | Poor communication / unrealistic demands / favoritism |
The hashtag that is probably the most insightful about Oregon’s tech industry is #BurnOut, where workers say it’s not just about feeling tired, but more about exhaustion from work stress and long, pressurized hours.
Another food for thought hashtag is #ToxicWorkPlace, which flags serious issues like hostile workplace environments and unjust treatment.