Sociology of Work and Labour

In class we examined the shift from a manufacturing or industrial economic base to a service-based economy. We referred to the transformation of the labour market and the burgeoning service sector. Regarding this transition, from a sociological perspective we are most interested in the experience of work in service sector jobs. This assignment asks you to examine work in the service sector, considering the labour process and working conditions within this sector. By focussing on a particular occupation within the service sector (retail, personal service, financial services, education, health care, etc.), write a paper discussing the following: 1) how the work in the occupation you have chosen is organized; 2) the problems workers often encounter in this form of work; 3) benefits and drawbacks of this form of employment; 4) how the labour process may have shifted over time; 5) how unionization may have improved the conditions, or the difficulties in unionizing in this sector.

For this assignment you are to submit a paper of approximately 1000-1200 words, exclusive of any endnotes and bibliography. References must be in MLA style with page numbers included.

Your paper must include references to at least 3 sociological works (books, chapters in edited collections, journal articles) outside the course materials. Introductory Sociology textbooks and magazine or newspaper articles may be used but they do not count toward the 3 required outside sociological references.