This article on a spate of suicides among France Telecom workers caught my attention today. I have always thought the French approach to work - 35 hour work week, longer holidays, more job security, etc. - was very civilized and would naturally lead to less stress. Apparently, however, the law of unintended consequences is in full effect here.
The proliferation of contract workers to make up for inflexibility in hiring and firing is familiar to me from my experiences consulting at large quasi-governmental organizations in the U.S. The story does not make it clear whether the suicides came from that group or from the permanently employed who are being marginalized and goaded to quit. However, I imagine even without management making an active effort to get you out, the lack of purpose and meaning in your day to day working existence could easily lead to depression, disgust and despair in many people. It would for me. It has for me.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Monday, August 31, 2009
Hello out there!
Welcome to learnling!
My name is Jon, I'm an information management consultant in the San Francisco Bay Area, but I've also just started a Masters program in Industrial/Organizational and Counseling Psychology. I'm trying to gradually switch the focus of my career from information systems to people and organizations. As I do, I plan to write about the experience; exploring themes of personal renewal and reinvention, mid-life career change, and life long learning.
"Learnling" is a not-quite-made-up word; a half-translation of the German "Lehrling," which means "apprentice." A learnling, basically, is someone who learns; someone who is willing to be a beginner, and to be comfortable with not always knowing all the answers. Learnling the blog will document my effort to cultivate and maintain this state of mind, and, I hope, provide a place for like-minded people to share their experiences as well.
My name is Jon, I'm an information management consultant in the San Francisco Bay Area, but I've also just started a Masters program in Industrial/Organizational and Counseling Psychology. I'm trying to gradually switch the focus of my career from information systems to people and organizations. As I do, I plan to write about the experience; exploring themes of personal renewal and reinvention, mid-life career change, and life long learning.
"Learnling" is a not-quite-made-up word; a half-translation of the German "Lehrling," which means "apprentice." A learnling, basically, is someone who learns; someone who is willing to be a beginner, and to be comfortable with not always knowing all the answers. Learnling the blog will document my effort to cultivate and maintain this state of mind, and, I hope, provide a place for like-minded people to share their experiences as well.
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