Cross-posted from Blog at Work:
Stressed. Exhausted. Exploited. Abandoned. In a new book, Tom Juravich exposes and examines the degradation of work in the United States today. At the Altar of the Bottom Line, based on in-depth interviews with workers, lifts up the experiences of working people from diverse sectors of our economy.
Juravich, a writer, researcher, and professor at the University of Massachusetts Labor Center, spent six years interviewing workers in four different occupations:
So much for feel-good TV. This week’s, Roto-Rooter president and COO Rick Arquilla went “undercover” and didn’t lose anytime letting us know what he really thinks about the work his employees do: it sucks. Arquilla talked up his experience pumping a grease trap in today’s New York Post:
“But I emptied the trap and didn’t yak, so I deserve some kind of an award,” he jokes.
Ha! Right. He definitely deserves an award. I mean, it’s not like any Roto-Rooter employees have ever before had to pump a grease trap or clean a drain without complaining. Certainly, none of them do it daily, for their actual job. Oh, wait: that’s exactly what they do! (more…)
In this Sunday’s Undercover Boss, the CEO of Hooters rotates through several jobs: a busboy, a cook, a promotions guy, an assistant store manager, and worker in the factory that makes Hooters wing sauce.
What does he discover? Sometimes things work well. Sometimes not. One manager does something completely unacceptable: he makes the “Hooters girls” in his restaurant put on a show for him by eating beans with their hands tied behind their backs, with the “winner” going home early. “Ladies,” he says “you want to leave early today? You’re gonna play my reindeer games… The first girl that finishes her plate of beans will go home.”
Wow. What a total lack of respect. (more…)
They give you ice, they give you hot water, they sell you pills and tell you that you have to learn to live with pain.
—Anonymous Nebraska meatpacking worker
It’s not just in North Carolina that meatpacking workers have unbelievably bad working conditions. (more…)
Low pay. Incompetent managers. No input into decision-making. Many of us have jobs that suck. But for some, going to work is downright life-threatening. One of the worst industries is meat processing, where dangerous conditions, musculoskeletal disorders, and worker harassment are rife. Take a look at the Charlotte Observer’s chilling exposé of a supposedly “safe” poultry company: (more…)
Unhappy at work? Of course you are. That’s why you’re here. Don’t worry, you’re not alone.
According to CBS News:
Even Americans who are lucky enough to have work in this economy are becoming more unhappy with their jobs, according to a new survey that found only 45 percent of Americans are satisfied with their work. That was the lowest level ever recorded by the Conference Board research group in more than 22 years of studying the issue. (more…)
Fix My Job! – TidyTweet SearchCross-posted from Blog at Work:
Stressed. Exhausted. Exploited. Abandoned. In a new book, Tom Juravich exposes and examines the degradation of work in the United States today. At the Altar of the Bottom Line, based on in-depth interviews with workers, lifts up the experiences of working people from diverse sectors of our economy.
Juravich, a writer, researcher, and professor at the University of Massachusetts Labor Center, spent six years interviewing workers in four different occupations:
Cross-posted from Blog at Work:
Want to hear innovative companies discuss the importance of working with unions to support workers’ rights, sustain the environment, and benefit the company’s bottom line?
Join American Rights at Work at the 2010 Good Jobs, Green Jobs National Conference taking place from May 4-6, in Washington, DC.
We’re proud to join our partners at the Blue Green Alliance as a sponsor and convener of this event, and excited to host a panel highlighting real-life examples of how working in partnership with employees and their unions helps companies weather turbulent times while increasing demand for green products and services.
Our Socially Responsible Business Director, Nikki Daruwala, is moderating the panel and will be joined by Michael Peck of Gamesa USA; Molly Bordanaro, Senior Vice President at Gerding Edlen Development, Inc.; Ron Kenedi, Vice President at Sharp Solar; and William “Butch” Johnson, CEO of Flambeau River Paper.
Please register and join us at the session “Partnerships That Work: Good, Green Employers” on Tuesday, May 4, 2:30-4:00 p.m. at the Hilton Washington Hotel.
We hope to see you there.
