Over the last twelve months or so there have been some very interesting, modest little pieces on the specific experience of work. Partly for my own reference and partly because they are worth highlighting I thought I’d list them here. They are in no way comprehensive, but quick impressions that give us a little insight into other people’s lives.
If you know of any others do let me know (there must be plenty), wouldn’t it be great to have a socialist doomsday book of what working life is like in Britain? I don’t mind if they’re a little old, as long as their fair representations of that person’s work experience (it’ll never be representative of everyone, of course).
- General – the anxious worker – Lib Com
- Admin in a univeristy: the dullness of work – rs21
- Admin assistant: diary of an office worker – nerve 13
- Air crew: hard work in the air – The Project.
- Bar, restaurants and cafes – only delinquents need apply – The Project.
- Cafe workers: the rudeness of yummy mummies – Guardian (from ages ago but I still like it)
- Call centre: chained to the headset – The Project (Independent Socialist Network)
- Care worker: secret diary of a care worker – Counterfire
- Cinema worker: the secret diary of a cinema worker – Counterfire
- Cinema worker: secret diary of another cinema worker – Counterfire
- Firefighter – putting the wet stuff on the hot stuff – The Project.
- Nursery workers: worker’s report – rs21
- Nursing: life as a nurse – The Project (Independent Socialist Network)
- Paramedic: a shift – The Paramedic’s Diary
- Pizza delivery guy: what I’m really thinking – Guardian
- Road sweeper: they treat dogs with more dignity – The Project (Independent Socialist Network)
- Sex work: interview with a dominatrix– Lib Com
- Temp: secret diary of a temp worker – Counterfire
- Unemployment: being out of work is a daily grind – rs21
- Waitress: on managers, in a restaurant and the environment at work – Counterfire
Let me know about any I’ve missed that are worth reading. To be clear I’m not looking for strike reports or inspiring accounts of workers fighting back, but sketches of what working life is like.