• Replies 102 replies
  • Subscribers 4 subscribers
  • Views 32786 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related

I remember typing pools...

Steve Bridger

I remember my first day at work. The summer of 1981. County Hall. The smell of polished corridors and trolleys laden three-feet high with leaver arch files and buff folders. I opened a door and there it was: The Typing Pool. Page 3 of The Sun were always plastered on the walls of the printing unit whenever I was asked to make errands. We still had a few discussion threads on that topic in the early days here - in 2004!


And I've seen Made in Dagenham, the movie!


I only mention this as the CIPD published a report called Work Audit today, a fascinating look at how the world of work has changed
in Britain since 1952.


I thought we could share our own compelling vignettes of social history comparing changes in the way we work.


What do you reckon?


Steve

Parents

  • This is such a good thread!!


    Harvey mentions paper rounds. I remember going to the local Tax Office at the age of 13 to get my employment card and NI Number so I could work as a paper boy. This was in 1970 and I started my job on 15s a week for 7 days!! I loved Saturday (very light bag) but hated Sundays with all the supplements. Started at 7am and had the round done and dusted by 7.45. I also remember taking a bit longer the week leading up to Christmas - making sure I made a noise when I put the paper through the letter-box!!


    After a year my first promotion - to Marker-Up. The downside was that I had to get in at 6am to mark up the rounds (shared the task with the owner) and was done by 7am - but my wage doubled to £1 10s a week and I stayed in the dry and warm.


    Over 40 years ago but still such vivid memories.

Reply

  • This is such a good thread!!


    Harvey mentions paper rounds. I remember going to the local Tax Office at the age of 13 to get my employment card and NI Number so I could work as a paper boy. This was in 1970 and I started my job on 15s a week for 7 days!! I loved Saturday (very light bag) but hated Sundays with all the supplements. Started at 7am and had the round done and dusted by 7.45. I also remember taking a bit longer the week leading up to Christmas - making sure I made a noise when I put the paper through the letter-box!!


    After a year my first promotion - to Marker-Up. The downside was that I had to get in at 6am to mark up the rounds (shared the task with the owner) and was done by 7am - but my wage doubled to £1 10s a week and I stayed in the dry and warm.


    Over 40 years ago but still such vivid memories.

Children
No Data