The Worst Job I Ever Had: An IBP Packing House Story

Have you ever had a job that made you question every decision you ever made in life? You know, the kind of job where Sunday night rolls around and you start dreading Monday morning?

Well, let me tell you about mine. Back in the 1990s, I worked at a packing house in Council Bluffs, Iowa, called IBP.

And let me tell you something: I absolutely hated that job!

Some Jobs Just Aren't Worth It!

I worked on the processing floor, using a Whizard knife. If you've never worked in a place like that, let me paint you a picture.

It was cold, the work was nonstop, and my hands hurt so badly that some days I wondered how I was going to make it through another shift.

I was dealing with what felt like tendonitis, and at night, it was almost like spiders crawling all over my back. I couldn't get comfortable.

It was absolutely miserable.

And the best part? Knowing I had to get up the next morning and do it all over again. Talk about motivation! 😂

The Cold, The Pain, and That Dreaded Knife

Now, I respect anybody who works in a packing plant. That is some seriously hard work. You're on your feet, working with your hands, and trying to keep up with a production line that doesn't care whether you're tired.

But for me, it was a different story. My hands hurt, my body was aching, and I was ready to find something else to do.

Would I Ever Go Back?

Let me put it this way: If somebody offered me that job again today, I'd probably laugh, thank them for the offer, and keep walking!

That experience taught me something: Not every job is the right job for everybody.

I respect the people who do that kind of work every day. They deserve every bit of respect they get.

But for me? That was one experience I was perfectly happy leaving in the 1990s.

Now I Want to Hear From You!

What's the worst job you ever had?

Was it a boss from a horror movie? A job that destroyed your feet? Or maybe a workplace that made you count the minutes until quitting time?

Tell me your story in the comments. I have a feeling some of you have stories that could make my IBP experience look like a vacation! 😂

Thanks for stopping by, and remember: Sometimes the best career move you can make is realizing a job just isn't for you.