Weather Forecast and Workplace Resistance

Left: America's new work ethic

While the stresses of unemployment during a recession are obvious, there are different stresses on those who still have jobs.

One worker I had coffee with yesterday said her job was in jeopardy as management plans a major 'restructuring.' She described herself as a black sheep in her department. She works at a local research office. She is paid till 5pm and generally leaves at 5pm. Others stay and work longer. Some come in on Saturdays for no extra pay. Like most workers she does her work well and efficiently, but this is never enough. One afternoon as my friend was packing up her things to leave a co-worker walked by and reminded her that it was only 4.59, not 5 o'clock.

One emerging problem for this company is that for years they've been paying people "comp" time to work past their regular hours. You work an hour over, you get an hour off at another time. But with the 'restructuring' imminent they have now asked people to put their time in for overtime. My friend explained that the last thing they want is someone getting laid off and demanding their comp time in cash, which the company would have to pay at time and a half. So they're forcing everyone to use up their comp time, do all the tasks of their job within 8 hours, and, naturally, to do more with less, as the corporate gurus chant.

She kind of shocked me when she said, "It's like capitalism on a small scale - everyone is competing against eachother, everyone is out for themselves." Yet she is resisting. She said that her experience in an abusive relationship taught her that you need to set boundaries. Being at work is like living with an over-controlling man.

I currently know two people who are working at jobs where they are living under 'final notices' ie where the boss is officially preparing to fire them. Both are similarly resisting the pressure to work for free or kiss ass. One is my brother who's new boss expects all the workers to treat him like Lord of the Manor. The other is a worker in a huge Los Vegas hotel. The hotel is unionized, but the union leaders are is essentially in bed with management.(And the bed is pretty nice bed.)

All those of you that have jobs are under increased pressure to cut corners and work over for free. This is not because private businesses or public services are going bancrupt, but simply because the weight of us 15 million unemployed gives the bosses the upper hand.

The bosses know everyone is feeling the heat, they're simply enjoying the warm climate.