22nd August 2011, 10:23 AM
RedEarth Wrote:Do people realise how insulting that is to someone who does a genuinely grim job on poor wages?
so grim jobs I had before I entered third level education...working on a factory line (3 years), cleaning offices (1 year), picking mushrooms (9 months), night receptionist (1 year - less grim of the four but terrible hours)...
All of which were suitable grim in their own way so I feel I can express an opinion on this.
Yes it is great to be able to work in a job which is interesting. However, I feel the argument that we should be happy with our lot because what we do is interesting doesn't stand. Archaeology can be pretty damn boring, and wreck you physically (ditto mushroom picking). But then again when I worked in a factory we had union representation who made sure good working conditions were enforced and the atmosphere on the lines helped with the boredom. Yes, we are fortunate but that shouldn't excuse bad employment practices in our profession nor should we ignore it in other situations.