MeSci
ME/CFS since 1995; activity level 6?
- Messages
- 8,231
- Location
- Cornwall, UK
This NEJM article looks at 'Taylorism' (I never knew that it was called this or that there was someone specific we could blame!): the standardisation of work, which has now permeated healthcare.
I recall when we had 'time and motion' studies every so often in my first job (in the 70s) - we had to keep a record of everything we did, and it was a bore. It was supposed to provide information on how much 'traffic' there was at given times (it was a telephone exchange.) so as to determine how many staff were needed.
I was shocked to find that my last job (80s-90s - civil service) did this ALL THE TIME. We spent so much time recording what we had done that it clearly reduced the amount of time available to actually DO the work. It seemed to be based on the assumption that, if we didn't account for every minute of our time, we could not be trusted to do enough work to justify our salaries.
I'm pleased to see this issue being discussed. I wonder whether it is possible to change things now...
I recall when we had 'time and motion' studies every so often in my first job (in the 70s) - we had to keep a record of everything we did, and it was a bore. It was supposed to provide information on how much 'traffic' there was at given times (it was a telephone exchange.) so as to determine how many staff were needed.
I was shocked to find that my last job (80s-90s - civil service) did this ALL THE TIME. We spent so much time recording what we had done that it clearly reduced the amount of time available to actually DO the work. It seemed to be based on the assumption that, if we didn't account for every minute of our time, we could not be trusted to do enough work to justify our salaries.
I'm pleased to see this issue being discussed. I wonder whether it is possible to change things now...