Rlchard Pettlnger

GOLDTHORPE, J.H. ET AL (1968) THE AFFLUENT WORKER (VOLS. 1 – 3). CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS

These studies were carried out in the UK in the late 1950s and early 1960s. They came to be known as the ‘‘Affluent Worker’’ studies. There were three companies studied in detail: Vauxhall (GM) cars, La Porte Chemicals, and Skefco Engineering. The stated purpose was to give an account of the attitudes and behavior of a sample of perceived affluent workers – high wage earners at mass or flow production compa- nies – and to attempt to explain them. Both the firms, and the area, were considered highly profitable and prosperous.

The main findings were as follows.

» As far as the job itself was concerned, it was overwhelmingly a means to an end on the part of the workforce, the capability of earning enough to support a good quality of life away from the company. Affluent workers had little or no identity with the place of work or with their colleagues. This was especially true of those doing unskilled jobs.

» Some skilled workers would discuss work issues and problems with colleagues. The unskilled would not. Workforces felt no involve- ment with the company, their colleagues, or the work. Generally positive attitudes towards the company prevailed, but these were related to the instrumental approaches to employment adopted. The companies were expected both to increase in prosperity and to provide increased wages and standards of living, as well as security of occupation.

» Matters that caused stress, and to which affluent workers were found to be actively hostile, were those concerning supervision. The preferred style of supervision was described as non-intrusive and ‘‘hands-off.’’ More active supervision was perceived to be intrusive, and a cause of stress and conflict. Work-study and efficiency drives were also opposed.

104 STRESS MANAGEMENT
» There was a very high degree of trade union membership (87% overall) though few of the affluent workers became actively involved in either national or local union activities. Union membership was perceived as an insurance policy.

» No association was found between job satisfaction and current employment. It was purely a means to an end. The most important relationship in the life of the worker was with the family. Workers did not socialize with each other, either at work or in the community, and the perceived value of the creation of workplace social clubs was therefore diminished.

» The view of the future was also instrumental. There was no aspiration to supervisory positions, either for intrinsic benefits or increased salary. Affluent workers would rather have their own high wages than the status and responsibility – and stress – of being in charge. The future was regarded in terms of increased profitability and prosperity, an expectation that wages would grow, and that standards of living and life would, in consequence, grow with them and remain assured.

These studies illustrated the sources and backgrounds of the attitudes and behavior inherent in this instrumental view of employment. There are clear lessons to be learned about stress management, and about the interventions required by those responsible for the organization and direction of companies.