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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

  • My very first job after leaving University was working in a Ship Chandlers export office.  We had to type all the export paperwork on manual machines using carbons and I wasn't allowed to make a mistake.  All the older staff were called Mr or Mrs but the junior staff were all first names.  I wasn't allowed to wear trousers to work as this was not deemed as appropriate dress - the MD didn't like girls in trousers (I think that's why I wear them all the time now).  The days were very rigid - you started at 9 and finished at 5.30 - breaks were timed and you were never late.  All my breaks were taking in the canteen - we would never have thought about going out for lunch.  It was a strict enviroment but sometimes I pass the disused builiding where I worked and I think about my days there as happy ones!!

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  • My very first job after leaving University was working in a Ship Chandlers export office.  We had to type all the export paperwork on manual machines using carbons and I wasn't allowed to make a mistake.  All the older staff were called Mr or Mrs but the junior staff were all first names.  I wasn't allowed to wear trousers to work as this was not deemed as appropriate dress - the MD didn't like girls in trousers (I think that's why I wear them all the time now).  The days were very rigid - you started at 9 and finished at 5.30 - breaks were timed and you were never late.  All my breaks were taking in the canteen - we would never have thought about going out for lunch.  It was a strict enviroment but sometimes I pass the disused builiding where I worked and I think about my days there as happy ones!!

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