The worker bee
L’ape operai
I just completed passenger feedback for the Hurtigruten company, for our trip up Norway’s west coast. We couldn’t fault a thing. The whole experience was entirely positive. And the staff were exceptional.
We would meet the restaurant staff at breakfast, lunch and dinner. Our temperatures were checked and then we were shown to our table. During our trip, the restaurant staff were consistently good at their jobs; friendly, professional and chatty.
It was noticeable how much the staff seemed to genuinely enjoy their work, perhaps in part due to being happy to be back at work after Norway’s lockdown. But they were not at all stressed. Workers have rights in Norway. They are treated well. And they don’t do all day shifts. The unions would have something to say about that. And about 50 per cent of Norwegian employees are in a union.
It makes you wonder; why don’t you meet more workers who are treated well and who are happy in their jobs? What’s going wrong?
I recalled my own experience of working in hospitality. In bars; hourly paid, typically taking however many hours you were offered. In restaurants; all day shifts waitressing, then managing, 12- 13 hours on your feet. I spent nearly four years at one of London’s ‘Leading Hotels of the World’, providing sound and lighting for their events. It was not unusual to start a shift at 6 .am or 7 a.m and go through to midnight or 1 a.m the next day. Should this happen? Should people really be treated this way?
I would have this discussion with the HR department each and every summer. I would politely request either overtime pay or preferably, time off in lieu, to travel. HR’s response was always the same; “but you work in the hospitality industry. It’s just how it is”. I would stand my ground.
I’ve been watching bees a lot in recent days. We have a hive near our home. They work tirelessly from first light, take a little siesta, then head out for more toil all afternoon. In the evening they are quiet. They rest. Then repeat.
The worker bee. As more and more people continue to work from home and question unnecessary commutes at this time, might work practice change or even improve for some?
What’s your experience, as a worker bee?
Do you live to work? Or do you work to live?
© Maggie M / Mother City Time
I generally like my teaching jobs. They have always been fulfilling during the day, while I’m teaching. I have not always loved the after-hours parts, grading and planning, that are usually required, but the hours in school are wonderful. After hours, though, I really love to do my own thing, and teaching, with its built-in vacations, allow me the time I want to travel and visit friends. I guess I work to live!
Hi Doug. I think that working with young people, generally makes being employed in Education very enjoyable. As you say, the after hours planning and marking was less enjoyable. For me, the biggest bind was always the admin; documents and reports for management. I can recall writing a ‘SAR’ at one college, which was over 30 pages long. Is that really the work of a Lecturer? This was far worse in U.K, and probably two thirds of my working week was spent doing admin. There was less admin in the international schools and more opportunities to be creative. Generally the contracts and working conditions in the international schools were so much better. We could never imagine going back to working in a government school or college. It will take a lot for workers to be treated better in different industries, but it is possible. It starts with management structure. So many organisations achieve success by moving away from the ‘top down’ business model. Wishing you happiness in your new job. Keep working to live and enjoy more travel opportunities in Asia.