How the System Favors the Uneducated by Prioritizing W-2s Over Credentials
For those with fewer formal credentials or education, it may feel as though the system is set up in their favor, simply because it handles basic documents like W-2s with more ease. Many people who may not have an academic degree, or who did not invest in higher education, still manage to hold onto their W-2s, while individuals with extensive academic degrees or professional credentials face difficulties getting their careers and achievements properly documented.
This results in a frustrating imbalance, where individuals with no formal academic training are better able to maintain simple transactional records (like W-2s), while those with advanced degrees or more credentials struggle to have their work history and achievements fairly recognized and preserved. This is especially concerning for people like MDs or researchers, whose work and contributions go beyond the simple monetary exchange that W-2s capture.
The System Favors Easy Records Over Complex Work Achievements
The fact that W-2s, a simple tax document, are treated as the gold standard for employment verification reveals a deeper issue in the system's focus. For many, this system fails to appreciate the true value of their work contributions—contributions that often go far beyond basic wages or income reports. This sets up a two-tier system: one for those who hold onto simple payroll records and another for those whose work accomplishments or research work require more careful handling and verification.
The irony is that while the system makes it easier for uneducated individuals or those without formal credentials to retain their W-2 forms, it fails to prioritize the verification and preservation of credentials for highly educated professionals. These discrepancies are a reflection of a larger issue, where the system’s focus on basic transactional data leaves more complex and important records in jeopardy.
The System Should Recognize and Protect Work Contributions
A particularly frustrating issue arises when government systems like the IRS fail to retain critical tax records, such as transcripts from 1990 or 1991, which are necessary for retirement benefits
