Citizens vs Work: Story of Eric
How are you? If you don’t mind me asking, what do you do for work? (Waits for the audience response) That sounds really interesting. How do you feel about your work?
(Wait for response from audience member)
My story is slightly different. I grew up during the Great Depression and World War II. And, although I didn’t work at that time, I witnessed the hardship that my father went through. At one time, he had his own business. He lost the business during the depression and was forced to find employment elsewhere. Fortunately, he found work as a chauffeur for a relatively well to do man. This job lasted until his employer passed away, leaving him seeking employment again. At this point, he got a job at a war factory, which didn’t pay well. But it was a job. Witnessing my father go through this instilled in me values and greatly influenced the way that I would approach my career. So, yes, I think the previous generation had a great impact on the way that I view and value work.
(Move to a new audience member)
How are you? Did you work today? (Wait for a response from the audience member) Do you find security in your work?
(Wait for response from audience member)
I found a great deal of security in my work. I got a job working for Air Canada in their customer service department, and eventually moved into their IT. I found a great deal of security with Air Canada, and for several reasons. The first being the security in having a job. At that time, there weren’t the massive layoffs like there are today. So once you got a job, there was a certain sense of security because you didn’t have to fear massive job cuts. And having the job with Air Canada allowed me the resources to buy a house. The house then provided security as a shelter, but it also provided security as a financial asset. Then there was the pension. The security found in future financial stability. My employer would take money out of every paycheck, but that would be put towards a future fund. I believe that future security is very important.
***depending on first answer say. “So I’m sorry you don’t find security today, I hope you can find it in the future” OR “I’m so glad you have security at your work, it always made me appreciate my work.”
(Move to a new audience member)
How are you? What do you do for work? What do you find fulfilling in your work?
(Wait for response from audience member)
I found my job with Air Canada to be very fulfilling. Air travel was very new at the time. An exciting and innovative time to be a part of the travel industry. There was also the fulfillment of working with so many people. I had people I would work with on a regular basis from Monday through Friday, but there were also all of the people that would come in and out of our offices from all over the world. This human connection was a very fulfilling part of the job and I’m worried that your generation might be losing human touch in the work that you’re doing.
(Move to a new audience member)
How are you? I’m going to ask you a question, and be honest. How do you feel about office politics?
(Wait for response from audience member)
Myself, I don’t care for office politics one bit. I didn’t care for the games people had to play in order to advance within the company. I didn’t care for the games people had to play in order to get a higher salary. I didn’t want to have any part of this. So I just did my job and carried on. And I believe that if you just do your job and stay out of trouble, you’ll be fine. I really think office politics brings out the worst in people. So don’t fall into the game. Keep your head down and steer clear of the game. You’ll be happier for it. Ok?
(Move back to chair)
People say business is becoming more and more automated. And, sure, I can see this happening. Technology continues to advance more and more by the day. But I don’t think we will ever get to the point that technology can replace the human touch. Human touch will always be necessary. The human connection comes with its own politics, but it also provides security. Provides fulfillment. Human touch is an asset that businesses can not afford to give up entirely. And people want something meaningful. People want something stable. I worry that meaningful and stable jobs are being lost, and I’m worried this will lead to social unrest. To avoid social unrest, we need to continue to emphasize the human touch.
(Wait for response from audience member)
My story is slightly different. I grew up during the Great Depression and World War II. And, although I didn’t work at that time, I witnessed the hardship that my father went through. At one time, he had his own business. He lost the business during the depression and was forced to find employment elsewhere. Fortunately, he found work as a chauffeur for a relatively well to do man. This job lasted until his employer passed away, leaving him seeking employment again. At this point, he got a job at a war factory, which didn’t pay well. But it was a job. Witnessing my father go through this instilled in me values and greatly influenced the way that I would approach my career. So, yes, I think the previous generation had a great impact on the way that I view and value work.
(Move to a new audience member)
How are you? Did you work today? (Wait for a response from the audience member) Do you find security in your work?
(Wait for response from audience member)
I found a great deal of security in my work. I got a job working for Air Canada in their customer service department, and eventually moved into their IT. I found a great deal of security with Air Canada, and for several reasons. The first being the security in having a job. At that time, there weren’t the massive layoffs like there are today. So once you got a job, there was a certain sense of security because you didn’t have to fear massive job cuts. And having the job with Air Canada allowed me the resources to buy a house. The house then provided security as a shelter, but it also provided security as a financial asset. Then there was the pension. The security found in future financial stability. My employer would take money out of every paycheck, but that would be put towards a future fund. I believe that future security is very important.
***depending on first answer say. “So I’m sorry you don’t find security today, I hope you can find it in the future” OR “I’m so glad you have security at your work, it always made me appreciate my work.”
(Move to a new audience member)
How are you? What do you do for work? What do you find fulfilling in your work?
(Wait for response from audience member)
I found my job with Air Canada to be very fulfilling. Air travel was very new at the time. An exciting and innovative time to be a part of the travel industry. There was also the fulfillment of working with so many people. I had people I would work with on a regular basis from Monday through Friday, but there were also all of the people that would come in and out of our offices from all over the world. This human connection was a very fulfilling part of the job and I’m worried that your generation might be losing human touch in the work that you’re doing.
(Move to a new audience member)
How are you? I’m going to ask you a question, and be honest. How do you feel about office politics?
(Wait for response from audience member)
Myself, I don’t care for office politics one bit. I didn’t care for the games people had to play in order to advance within the company. I didn’t care for the games people had to play in order to get a higher salary. I didn’t want to have any part of this. So I just did my job and carried on. And I believe that if you just do your job and stay out of trouble, you’ll be fine. I really think office politics brings out the worst in people. So don’t fall into the game. Keep your head down and steer clear of the game. You’ll be happier for it. Ok?
(Move back to chair)
People say business is becoming more and more automated. And, sure, I can see this happening. Technology continues to advance more and more by the day. But I don’t think we will ever get to the point that technology can replace the human touch. Human touch will always be necessary. The human connection comes with its own politics, but it also provides security. Provides fulfillment. Human touch is an asset that businesses can not afford to give up entirely. And people want something meaningful. People want something stable. I worry that meaningful and stable jobs are being lost, and I’m worried this will lead to social unrest. To avoid social unrest, we need to continue to emphasize the human touch.
