The job...the new religion?!

Tom Hodgkinson writes that, "The idea of the 'job' as the answer to all woes, individual and social, is one of the most pernicious myths of modern society." He continues, "...the myth suggests to us that a 'good job' will offer us ample money, a social life, status and work which we will find 'rewarding.". However this is usually far from the truth. Unlike the weavers of the early eighteenth century who were in command of their own work patterns, we are subject to bosses who enslave us with long hours and low pay. We are, in fact, slaves to the job. The job, he claims, has even become a religion, all of which is the result of industrialisation and the Protestant work ethic.

I have to agree that the job has taken over the lives of many people. They accept long hours, low pay, losing a comparatively large chunk of their wages to the government, but somehow still feel proud just to be able to say "I am working." They do not see themselves as slaves, but think that they have no choice but to stick with their job or get a better one. Losing a job can have consequences on a person's mental health, men in particular who see working as their main role in life. People, both women and men have come to measure their own worth by their status of employment. We suspect that there must be a better way, but the pattern continues and indeed working conditions are getting worse as employers give less breaks, take risks with health and safety, pay relatively less for more hours work. The Trade Unions have lost the power they once had. Some employers refuse to let their workforce become part of a Union. This was, as far as I can remember the fault of Margaret Thatcher. In what should be a time of progress, as technology makes our lives easier, the working life has degenerated and in some cases is akin to a life in the old workhouses. Employers are authoritarian in their attitude. There is no excuse for taking a day off, not even being sick. They expect the employee to be flexible. They would prefer not to have to train anyone, because it is cheaper if someone else takes care it. Canteens are becoming a thing of the past as is subsidised food. We are indeed suffering from, "a brutal, standardized work culture,...". This is why many people have gone abroad, in the hope of finding a better way of life where work plays a less significant role and leaves ample opportunity for creativity and fun.

The unfortunate thing is that in the United Kingdom we have no choice. We need the wages to pay the rent, and to buy clothes and food. We are so busy just surviving that we have little time left to be creative about making money in other ways, as Hodgkinson advocates we should. The 'idle' way of life which he prescribes to, is only possible for very successful people such as famous rock stars or those who are already rich.

Consequently for us, the job rules. As Careers Advisers we will undoubtedly be spreading the religion of the job. We will be influencing young people to become part of the already enslaved workforce, or will we? Would it not be less pressurising to just tell them to develop their talents and creativity for their own sakes, and relate this loosely to a career where they may or may not make money? If there are no job opportunities for them, what should we tell them? Many Advisers tailor their guidance to suit the circumstances of the client. For some clients, it is acceptable to talk about a "gap year", to others an impoverished background makes this unthinkable.
Incidentally here is something which I think reinforces Tom Hodgkinson's point about the job giving value to the individual. Why are we being told to interview people who are employed as part of our study of Labour Market Trends. Surely being unemployed is just as much a part of Labour Market Trends. After all some very intelligent and experienced people are jobless.