The Construction and Demonization of the Lazybones

Ottosson, Mikael; Rosengren, Calle

doi:10.32855/fcapital.201401.006

Cited by 2 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 7 publications

(15 reference statements)

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“…We argue that within a Swedish political context, this process can be linked to the SAF's political offensive of 1975 (e.g. Ottosson and Rosengren, 2015).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

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‘What the hell is a high standard?’ The Swedish Employers’ Confederation and the six-hour workday debate in the mid 1970s

Ottosson

Rosengren

2016

Time & Society

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A concept that lies at the heart of political rhetoric is that of 'workfare'. The issue, however, is what types of arguments have been invoked to assert the value of the concept. During the 1960s and 1970s, extensive criticism emerged towards a working life that was said to hinder women's emancipation; a working life that wasted resources and had a negative impact on the environment; a working life that sought material consumerism rather than quality of life. The demand for a work time reduction also received much support. In this article, we have studied the use of language that The Swedish Employers' Confederation used when publicly formulating their stances on the work time issue in 1975. We have chosen to highlight the argument contained in a discussion pamphlet published by Swedish Employers' Confederation, in a situation where the use of language was determined by the left-wing movement, and solidarity, international aid and daycare places were keywords, rather than growth and consumption. The arguments employed in the discussion pamphlet were based in the idea that non-work entails a lack of solidarity for social development. Those who desired a work time reduction were portrayed by Swedish Employers' Confederation as environmental villains and opponents to Time & Society 0(0) 1-23 Downloaded from the liberation of both oppressed women and the impoverished of the third world. Swedish Employers' Confederation's pamphlet can be regarded as an example on how capitalism may handle major criticism. By reversing the meaning of the core concepts of the criticism, opponents' arguments were assimilated, which contributed to a new rationalization of the capitalism. One of the major contributions from our study to the research field is an improved understanding of how this process developed.

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“…We argue that within a Swedish political context, this process can be linked to the SAF's political offensive of 1975 (e.g. Ottosson and Rosengren, 2015).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…The capitalism therefore needs justification by reference to other ideologies. The work discipline, subordination and dependency wage labour implies, has historically been legitimated by religion, national state and common good (Boltanski and Chiapello, 2007;Ottosson and Rosengren 2007;2015).…”

Section: 'Labour' -From Punishment To Obligationmentioning

confidence: 99%

‘What the hell is a high standard?’ The Swedish Employers’ Confederation and the six-hour workday debate in the mid 1970s

Ottosson

Rosengren

2016

Time & Society

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“…By defining ''real work'' as presence during specific hours, certain forms of behavior come to be seen as deviant. Goffman describes this process as labeling, i.e., certain behavior patterns are interpreted and defined by the majority as deviant and marred by negative traits (for further discussion regarding labeling and work time, see Ottosson and Rosengren, 2014). Zerubavel (1985) argues, however, that working long hours can be a way of signifying professional commitment.…”

Section: Temporal Strategies and Social Changementioning

confidence: 99%

Performing work: The drama of everyday working life

Rosengren

2015

Time & Society

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In this article, a perspective on work time patterns is outlined; a perspective that emphasizes the importance of observing how work time is subject not only to task and contract agreements but also to social norms and individual needs to express identity. The article takes its starting point in Goffman's dramaturgic approach. From this perspective, the workplace is viewed as a stage where a satisfactory work performance is judged not by the actual work performance but by the performance of work; or rather, perhaps, by how a morally good working day is enacted through text, words, and gestures. Depending on social context work, time patterns can be seen as an expression of commitment, dedication, professionalism, and masculinity. The article concludes with a discussion on the potential implications of these issues regarding stress and health, as well as the possibilities of participation in the labor market under equal conditions.

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The Construction and Demonization of the Lazybones

Abstract: I know that many ward managers sometimes feel frustration when people look into their office and say 'All right, there she is sitting at her computer again. Wonder what she's doing? Is she on the Internet or what?' (Hospital ward manager quoted in Rosengren & Ottosson 2007:162)

Cited by 2 publications

References 7 publications

‘What the hell is a high standard?’ The Swedish Employers’ Confederation and the six-hour workday debate in the mid 1970s

‘What the hell is a high standard?’ The Swedish Employers’ Confederation and the six-hour workday debate in the mid 1970s

Performing work: The drama of everyday working life

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