Top Ten (10) Worst Movie Jobs of All Time

Jobs can be unpleasant in real life, but on-screen jobs in our favorite films can showcase some of the worst career choices. Note: May contain spoilers.

1. The 6th Day - Dr. Griffin Weir (Robert Duvall)
Chief Scientist - Replacement Technologies

Against his personal ethics, Dr. Weir clones humans for Replacement Technologies in this science fiction thriller. When he finally decides that he's had enough and quits, his supervisor shoots and kills him... so he can be cloned himself and continue performing work.

Be wary of jobs which make you question your beliefs or morals.

2. Office Space - Michael Bolton (David Herman) & Samir Nagheenanajar (Ajay Naidu)
Programmers - Initech

It's not too hard to imagine what would make otherwise sane people beat up a copy machine. After working hard all day in cubicles answering to 8 different bosses, Initech hires consultants to help cut costs - and fires Michael and Samir.

Don't let your company treat you like they do a piece of furniture. True "job security" is hard to find when you are working for someone else.

3. Brazil - Typist in Jack's Office (Myrtle Devenish)
Secretary - Information Retrieval

In the Orwellian world of Terry Gilliam's Brazil, even torture is bureaucratic. Not only does the government's Information Retrieval charge individuals (or their families) for their torture and detainment, the typist responsible for recording every blood curling scream does so in a casual manner usually reserved for office memos.

Actively engage yourself in your profession. You may be surprised to learn what's really going on.

4. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - Foot Ninjas
Foot Ninja - Foot Clan

Members of the villain Shredder's Foot Clan are indistinguishable and disposable. Trained to fight the Turtles in this live action version of the hit cartoon series, the Foot Ninja's always lose. When the Turtles save the day and defeat the Ninja's, Shredder simply trains more - or builds robots to perform the same tasks.

Does your company care about you? If you are not "valuable" in their eyes, you may lose your job to other people (or machines).

5. The Shining - Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson)
Caretaker - Overlook Hotel

Sometime your job can make your crazy. In the movie version of Stephen King's classic, Jack Torrance is driven to both insanity and a murderous rampage. Cooped up in a hotel with his family for the winter, Jack finds the job of caretaker a little hard to handle.

If all work and no play is making you dull, consider a career change.

6. Monty Python and the Holy Grail - Sir Robin the Not-Quite-So-Brave-as-Sir Lancelot (Eric Idle)
Knight - Knights of the Round Table

This movie by the comedy troupe Monty Python introduces us to Sir Robin, whose job requires him to not be afraid to be killed in nasty ways. When Robin encounters a monster, he responds by "bravely" running away.

It's usually not worth risking your health to rise up the corporate ladder.

7. Click - Michael Newman (Adam Sandler)
Architect

In Click, Adam Sandler has a magical remote which fast forwards him through life as he climbs the company ladder to partner, and eventually CEO. His family life drastically suffers as a result, and before he knows it, he has fast forwarded to his death.

As the saying goes, no one on their death bed ever wishes they spent more time in the office. Always cherish time spent with your loved ones.

8. 2001: A Space Odyssey - Dave Bowman (Keir Dullea)
Astronaut - USSC Discovery One

"I'm sorry Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that." On a space flight towards Jupiter, HAL 9000 is a supercomputer that has killed most of the crew and is now trying to end Dave Bowman's life. The intelligent HAL simply will not accept being shut down, and does everything he can to defend himself.

Poor co-workers and a bad work environment may be hazardous to your health.

9. Nineteen Eighty-Four - Winston Smith (John Hurt)
Clerk - Ministry of Truth

The Ministry of Truth controls all information in this adaptation of George Orwell's classic novel. Constantly under surveillance and forced to literally re-write the past, Winston tries to break free when he falls in love with a co-worker. The result is a long trip to the Ministry of Love, where he is tortured.

Be your own person - don't let your employer control your every move.

10. Hudsucker Proxy - Norville Barnes (Tim Robbins)
President - Hudsucker Industries

Even being the person in charge has its drawbacks. The Board of Directors for Hudsucker Industries devises a scheme to promote mail room clerk Norville Barnes to President, so that they can buy up shares of the company when the value of the stock plummets.

Be cautious so that you are not merely a pawn in someone else's game.

If you find that you too closely resemble one of the above characters, consider reading How to Quit Your Job.

How to Quit Your Job

Decided to finally Quit Your Job*, eh? After reading the Top Ten (10) Reasons to Quit Your Job, you want to make your move... but what's next?

If you do decide to quit, remember to:

1. Read Your Employee Handbook.

Know all relevant policies and procedures your company has for quitting.

2. Give two weeks notice.

You're still in the game, so you should follow basic business etiquette. Refer to your Employee Manual to see if the company requires a longer amount of proper time to give your notice. You don't have to - and shouldn't - give more time than necessary.

3. Get paid for any unused benefit time.

Don't forget to confirm the amount of unused sick, vacation, and personal days you have, and receive any un-reimbursed expenses.

4. Ask for a reference.

If you decide to start working again, you'll want your next employer to know that you left on good terms.

5. Don't burn bridges.

Your employer will ask you why you are leaving. Strategically plan out your answer before hand, remembering to stay on good terms with your employer. You may need them for references or networking purposes later.

6. Roll over your 401(k).

Easier to do than it sounds. Open up a Traditional IRA at your favorite discount broker, and do a direct rollover from your employer's 401(k) plan. Have a Roth 401(k) as well? Perform a rollover to a Roth IRA. Just make sure to do it soon - you typically have about 60 days, but don't procrastinate - do it right away.

7. Consider your health insurance options.

Carefully look over your COBRA rights for extended health insurance coverage, and look into individual health insurance plans. http://www.ehealthinsurance.com is a good place to start.

8. Consider starting a small business.

You don't have to work for another employer right away, or in theory, ever again. It can be healthy to take time off and travel. While you are at it, why not consider opening up a small business, and control your own destiny?

9. Enjoy.

* Before quitting any job, carefully consider all factors involved and do not solely rely on blog posts.

Top Ten (10) Reasons Why You Should Quit Your Job

For those among us who are young and have little to no responsibilities, here is a handy list of why you should Quit Your Job*.

Fresh out of college and just started that first office job? Don't have any children? Don't have a mortgage to pay and have very few expenses? If so, you pre-qualify for Quit Your Job Express.

Top Ten (10) Reasons to Quit Your Job Express:

10. Your job doesn't let you travel. There are so many places to see in your lifetime, but staying in the same place for 40+ hours a week won't get you anywhere near them.
9. Your job doesn't let you work from home. It's the age of the Internet, but your employer is reluctant to update its policies.
8. You're bored. You're not happy. If you are not getting joy out of life, what are you getting?
7. You don't want to turn into your supervisor in 20 years. If this thought scares you, think about the "career ladder" that you are currently on.
6. You have a family and friends. Your company would rather you work overtime than let you see the people you care about.
5. You're not helping people. Does the company you work for have a positive impact on the world and its inhabitants?
4. Commuting is no fun. Neither is wasting your time, or polluting the earth.
3. Your employer doesn't trust its' employees. A large "Employee Manual" and occasional meetings about the company's dress code doesn't help.
2. Bureaucracy. The company you work for should have a structure, not unnecessary red tape to get a simple task done.
1. You are helping other people get rich. You can't get rich off a salary, and you may not like/agree with the people who you are making rich.

Bonus Reason: There's only so much time. Life is too short to hold grudges, watch too much television, or sit in an office. Explore the Earth - Rid the world of poverty, run for political office, become a fighter pilot.

What's the next step? How to Quit Your Job

* Before quitting any job, carefully consider all factors involved and do not solely rely on blog posts.