• Replies 102 replies
  • Subscribers 4 subscribers
  • Views 32876 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

  • I too remember life before email, internet and PCs.  My first few jobs were using an electronic typewriter, with tippex and carbon paper! But the one that sticks in my mind the most was working for a telecoms company in the late 80's.

    I had the go to the off licence every week and buy a bottle of sherry with petty cash and then at 3pm precisely every day I would have to go to the manager's office, pour him a glass and he would sit all alone sipping it accompanied by a huge cigar for the next 30 minutes during which time he was not to be disturbed. Looking back now, I find this a bit creepy but at the time I was 17 and thought maybe this was the way all managers spent their afternoons!

Reply

  • I too remember life before email, internet and PCs.  My first few jobs were using an electronic typewriter, with tippex and carbon paper! But the one that sticks in my mind the most was working for a telecoms company in the late 80's.

    I had the go to the off licence every week and buy a bottle of sherry with petty cash and then at 3pm precisely every day I would have to go to the manager's office, pour him a glass and he would sit all alone sipping it accompanied by a huge cigar for the next 30 minutes during which time he was not to be disturbed. Looking back now, I find this a bit creepy but at the time I was 17 and thought maybe this was the way all managers spent their afternoons!

Children
No Data