I read an article about how workplaces can be a toxic environment to be (shocking!). Some of the article correctly talks about narcissistic and self-aggrandizing managers who demean their employees. But the study it refers back to also relies on categorizing a type of toxic worker as (in part) someone who thinks rules can be…
Communications Sharon Atkins (Receptionist) By far the most interesting person in this part of Book Two, Atkins had me saying to myself, “Damn, the interview is over? I could read a whole book from this woman!” I felt like I really knew and related to her. Indeed, by the time the interview was done Atkins…
I worked yesterday and that means I worked on Christmas. A day where morale was obviously low (no one wanted to be there) and even the manager on duty (there was 1) gave us vague directions and didn’t bother to manage me or my co-workers most of the time. This led to a 5 hour…
It’s been a bit quiet around here (I’ve been busy enjoying my life outside the site) and clearly my sense of originality hasn’t improved but I hope everyone has a joyous day! One where they tell their boss to shove it, spend time with folks they love (or just enjoy the day by themselves)…
Ernie is new at his local retail store and wants to make sure he does his job right. But before he can even start his job he has to go through hours of computerized training. The training consists of dull, repetitive and ultimately arbitrary courses that eventually make Ernie mute the computer. Mostly so he…
Working The Land Pierce Walker This chapter has a lot of logical progressions and it starts off with a solid choice as far as land laborers go: An old-fashioned (and self-described poor) farmer. Walker has “about five-hundred acres” to labor on and has lived where both his father and his grandfather worked the land. Tradition…
They say write what you know (whose they?) and I’m doing that in spades today for this late original article entry. Basically, I’m sick. I tend to think I’m invulnerable and impervious to the effects of sickness around me but a few times a year I’m proven wrong (maybe cause I skip the flu shot).…
Preface 1: Who Built The Pyramids? At least in this first part, it’s going to be easiest to break down the book from one interview to another. I’ll try to limit references to future interviews so as not to confuse anyone. I may make some callbacks as time goes on just to show what some…
There’s something to be said about the concept of “class warfare”. The concept has only grown in popularity and is being recognized as a term that doesn’t mean some sort of literal warfare (though it can mean that too) but a much more symbolic sort of struggling against oppression in the workplace. Whether that oppression…
A book that recognizes that at its heart work is a kind of violence (spiritual, emotional, physical or otherwise) is a book destined to highlight that reality. It’s a book that is almost guaranteed to show the harsher aspects of an already harsh topic for many people. Working is a book that promises to do…