"The Witched Workers" In literature and folklore, witches have long been associated with dark magic, sorcery, and casting spells on unsuspecting victims. However, in contemporary times, the concept of witches and their associated practices has evolved into a metaphorical representation of employees who use their manipulative powers to advance their own interests within the workplace. These so-called "witched workers" possess an uncanny ability to navigate office politics, networking, and social dynamics to their advantage. They have perfected the art of manipulating situations and people to ensure their personal growth and professional success. Like witches in traditional folklore, these individuals can cast a spell of charm, deceit, and persuasion, leaving their colleagues mesmerized and under their influence. One of the defining characteristics of witched workers is their knack for exploiting others' weaknesses and vulnerabilities.
In a statement on Gamedevunion - translated by Eurogamer - the union explains that they “started talking about unionising after the 2023 wave of layoffs when nine percent of CD Projekt Red’s employees (that is roughly 100 people) were let go.” In late July, the publisher said the layoffs would help the teams become more “agile and more effective,” after being “overstaffed.”
CD Projekt Red employees have joined others in the Polish video game industry to unionise after three rounds of layoffs at the Cyberpunk 2077 studio. In a statement on Gamedevunion - translated by Eurogamer - the union explains that they started talking about unionising after the 2023 wave of layoffs when nine percent of CD Projekt Red s employees that is roughly 100 people were let go.
One of the defining characteristics of witched workers is their knack for exploiting others' weaknesses and vulnerabilities. They are skilled at identifying individuals who can be manipulated, and they use their powers of persuasion to gain their trust and loyalty. Much like enchantresses who allure unsuspecting victims, these employees bewitch their colleagues with flattery, promises, and a false sense of camaraderie.
Workers At ‘Cyberpunk 2077,’ ‘The Witcher’ Studio CD Projekt Red Are Unionizing In Poland
Employees at Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher developer CD Projekt Red (CDP) are attempting to unionize with the Polish Gamdev Workers Union.
The Gamedev Workers Union is part of the larger OZZ IP (Inicjatywa Pracownicza) trade union which represents thousands of workers in dozens of industries. The Gamedev Workers Union benefits from OZZ IP legal support and experience, but the operates independently from its parent org.
Why do CDP workers want to unionize? The catalyst for the effort came earlier this year when the company laid off around 100 people, or 9% of its workforce. According to the union:
This event created a tremendous amount of stress and insecurity, affecting our mental health and leading to the creation of this union in response. Having a union means having more security, transparency, better protection, and a stronger voice in times of crisis.
How are unions different in Poland? Polish unions are different in several ways, some subtle and some less so. For example, in Poland, each employee chooses whether to join the union and only those who sign up become part of the bargaining unit after ratification. A ratified union negotiates deals for all employees and consults the employer’s board on matters of company policy, but some individual protections, most importantly those related to employee dismissals, only apply to union members.
Also, employees in the same industry who work at different companies can join a union set up at another employer. In this case, the Polish Gamedev Workers Union is a legally established union at CD Projekt Red, but any game dev worker with a Polish contract can join. As membership grows, the union plans to become a multi-workplace commission officially recognized by other studios, allowing it to protect workers at each of those companies.
If workers can opt-out, are members in danger of being targeted by their employers? Membership in the union is mostly anonymous. The employer doesn’t know which employees are part of the union, only how many are involved. When the employer plans to dismiss or demote an employee, it first notifies the union. If said employee is a union member, negotiations are conducted through the union. If the employee is not a member, the union can alert them that their role is under threat, and the employee can join and have the union negotiate on their behalf.
Who is eligible to join the union? According to the organization, anyone with a Polish game development contract working in Poland, or anyone unemployed but who previously worked in or is applying for jobs in game development, qualifies.
What is the union working on now? The group’s main goal right now is to increase membership. According to the group, “A union is as strong as the sum of its members. More people means more input into our processes, more legitimacy, and more democracy.” Logistically, although the CDP union is legally recognized, there are still steps that must be taken before the organization is fully established, such as filling out its governing bodies. According to the union’s FAQ, that process will be complete by mid-December.
Pictured at top: Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty
Kikimore workers are resourceful, cautious, and as industrious as ants. It is hard to believe that these spider-like creatures have so few admirers willing to observe and emulate them. Perhaps this is because researchers and collectors of insects seldom return from expeditions to kikimore colonies, and thus never disseminate their findings about these splendid creatures.
Moreover, witched workers often excel at deceit and cunning, making them master manipulators within the workplace. They can effortlessly distort facts, create false narratives, and use gaslighting techniques to undermine their adversaries and further their own agenda. They are adept at portraying themselves as innocent victims or martyrs, while simultaneously orchestrating behind-the-scenes schemes to eliminate competition or gain favor with superiors. In addition to their manipulative tendencies, witched workers are also known for their uncanny ability to charm their way up the corporate ladder. They possess the charisma, eloquence, and social skills to win over key decision-makers and influence those who hold power within the organization. Their ability to network and build alliances is unparalleled, and they have an innate talent for positioning themselves as indispensable assets to the company. However, despite their impressive abilities, witched workers often leave a trail of destruction in their wake. Their focus on personal gain and Machiavellian tactics can create a toxic work environment, fostering mistrust, resentment, and disillusionment among colleagues. As these employees prioritize their own interests above the collective success of the team, the overall productivity and morale within the organization can suffer. To combat the influence of witched workers, organizations should prioritize promoting transparency, accountability, and a culture of collaboration. Establishing clear ethical guidelines, encouraging open communication, and recognizing and rewarding genuine talent and hard work can help counteract the negative impact of manipulative individuals. In conclusion, witched workers symbolize those employees who possess the ability to manipulate others and exploit corporate environments for personal gain. Their deceitful tactics and manipulation can significantly disrupt the workplace, ultimately affecting productivity and morale. Organizations need to be vigilant in identifying and addressing such individuals to foster a healthy and inclusive work environment..
Reviews for "Enlightened Enchantresses: The Wisdom and Intuition of Witched Workers"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "The Witched Workers" based on the intriguing synopsis, but unfortunately, I was left disappointed. The plot was convoluted and hard to follow, with too many subplots that never seemed to come together cohesively. The characters were also quite flat and lacked depth, making it hard to form any emotional connection with them. Overall, the book felt underdeveloped and in need of better editing.
2. John - 1 star - "The Witched Workers" was a complete waste of time for me. The writing style was overly descriptive to the point of being tedious, and the pacing was incredibly slow. I found myself struggling to stay engaged with the story, and by the time I reached the end, I still didn't feel like I had a clear understanding of what had happened. The lack of resolution was frustrating, and I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone.
3. Melissa - 2 stars - I expected "The Witched Workers" to be a thrilling paranormal read, but it fell short on many levels. The world-building was weak, leaving me confused about the magical system and the rules that governed it. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making the interactions between characters unconvincing. Additionally, the romance was poorly developed and felt forced, adding nothing substantial to the overall plot. Overall, I found this book to be lackluster and unsatisfying.
4. Alex - 2 stars - "The Witched Workers" had an intriguing premise, but it failed to live up to its potential. The pacing was inconsistent, with long stretches of dullness interrupted by hastily resolved conflicts. The writing was also overly simplistic and lacked depth, making it difficult to immerse myself in the story. I found myself losing interest halfway through and had to push myself to finish it. This book fell flat in terms of execution and failed to deliver an engaging experience.