MetaFilter posts tagged with work and workers

'workers who are "flexible"—that is, dispensable'

the man of twists and turns — Mon, 20 May 2013 18:47:54 -0800

"Everyone Only Wants Temps" - My stint doing "on demand" grunt work for one of America's hottest growth industries

It's not a pretty formula, but it works. With 600 offices and a workforce of 400,000—more employees than Target or Home Depot—Labor Ready is the undisputed king of the blue-collar temp industry. Specializing in "tough-to-fill, high-turnover positions," the company dispatches people to dig ditches, demolish buildings, remove debris, stock giant fulfillment warehouses—jobs that take their toll on a body.

Part of the Economic Hardship Reporting Project

funemployment

kliuless — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 13:49:10 -0800

How a New Jobless Era Will Transform America
The Great Recession may be over, but this era of high joblessness is probably just beginning. Before it ends, it will likely change the life course and character of a generation of young adults. It will leave an indelible imprint on many blue-collar men. It could cripple marriage as an institution in many communities. It may already be plunging many inner cities into a despair not seen for decades. Ultimately, it is likely to warp our politics, our culture, and the character of our society for years to come. (via rw)

Sixteen workers are killed a day

shetterly — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:52:14 -0800

Sixteen workers are killed a day "Every eight hour workday, two people are killed on the job. Most companies are never prosecuted for negligence, even after repeated warnings that their workers were in danger. Meanwhile, workers who blow the whistle face threats and retaliation at the workplace." In a short video examining several cases of worker deaths, David Uhlmann suggests the sanction for an offense that results in a worker's death should be as great as the sanction for killing a deer out of season.

10 most bizarre employment cases of 2004

madamjujujive — Sat, 30 Apr 2005 13:51:28 -0800

10 most bizarre employment cases of 2004 - At least two of these cases were previously discussed on Mefi. (1), (2)

Plague burier, spitboy & leech collector: worst jobs in history

madamjujujive — Sun, 20 Mar 2005 12:39:47 -0800

The worst jobs in history. Channel 4 takes you on a journey through 2,000 years of British history and the worst jobs of each era for minions like you and me. If you are curious whether you are best suited to be an Anglo-Saxon guillemot egg collector or a Georgian loblolly boy, take the career guide quiz. (via Malbec.

Sebastiao

vacapinta — Mon, 02 Sep 2002 11:11:33 -0800

Sebastiao Salgado, author of Workers and Migrations (a beautiful book to share with others) and Earl Dotter, author of The Quiet Sickness: A Photographic Chronicle of Hazardous Work in America. Photographers of Labor.

A study

hazyjane — Fri, 15 Jun 2001 02:29:44 -0800

A study from researchers at the University of Alberta concludes that unhappy workers perform their tasks at the same rate as happy workers, but with about half as many errors (more inside).