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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 first bit of work experience was in the mid 90s where I helped out in the Personnel department of the local hospital.  AlI I remember being allowed to do was a lot of photocopying (which, as a 15 year old, was very boring) and filing which I found confusing because everyone's file was stored by department and job title, which of course I didn't know.

    My first paid work was before that working as a part-time waitress at a local hotel for £2 an hour at the tender age of 14.  One of my most horrendous early experiences was being asked to sweep up a dead mouse in the kitchen (I refused and nearly cried!) and also being reminded by my boss that if anyone asked how old I was when working on the bar, "You're 19, aren't you Gemma!"  I also had a ridiculous experience of working in a cafe where the owner made me wash up cling film to re-use (really!) One of the valuable things I learned in both jobs is that if you are nice to people and smile, they will give you more money :)  If only it was that simple as a grown-up!

    I've loved hearing everyone else's memories!

    Gemma

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  • My first bit of work experience was in the mid 90s where I helped out in the Personnel department of the local hospital.  AlI I remember being allowed to do was a lot of photocopying (which, as a 15 year old, was very boring) and filing which I found confusing because everyone's file was stored by department and job title, which of course I didn't know.

    My first paid work was before that working as a part-time waitress at a local hotel for £2 an hour at the tender age of 14.  One of my most horrendous early experiences was being asked to sweep up a dead mouse in the kitchen (I refused and nearly cried!) and also being reminded by my boss that if anyone asked how old I was when working on the bar, "You're 19, aren't you Gemma!"  I also had a ridiculous experience of working in a cafe where the owner made me wash up cling film to re-use (really!) One of the valuable things I learned in both jobs is that if you are nice to people and smile, they will give you more money :)  If only it was that simple as a grown-up!

    I've loved hearing everyone else's memories!

    Gemma

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