Abstract
Unequal Time closely examines how the “normal unpredictability” of life affects employees and their organizations across four medical occupations —certified nursing assistants (CNAs), emergency medical technicians (EMTs), nurses, and doctors. Through their methodical research, the authors provide insight on how gender and class intersect in ways that affect how workers and their employers seek to control these routine disruptions in workers’ lives. Although their research is not focused on race, the writers do not miss the opportunity to note the racial composition within the medical occupations and the impact of race with regard to organizational practices.
Unequal Time not only leaves the reader pondering the level of commitment that these professionals make to care for those in need of medical attention, but it also adds a face, if you will, to the work. By exploring the tough decisions that some of these professionals have to make regarding caring for their children, whether or not to take vacation, working holidays, answering a call on their day off, assuming roles within the family that are traditionally associated with females, spending time with family, calling in sick, and working more than their scheduled shift, just to name a few, the writers have provided the reader with a lingering question, “what are the predictable and unpredictable sacrifices of individuals in these medical occupations?”
For example, when it comes to taking vacation, the CNA has a few questions to consider. Do they not take vacation and cash it out at the end of the year? Or, do they take vacation in order to schedule medical appointments for themselves or other family members? Do they take vacation to visit family members that they do not have a chance to spend time with because of their work schedule? This line of questioning differs greatly from those in the other occupations as evidenced by the research.
Although the book focuses on medical occupations, the themes certainly can transcend any occupation where there is more than one category of workers. For example, as a former classroom teacher, I found myself constantly making comparisons between the themes identified in the book to teacher assistants, cafeteria workers, custodians, guidance counselors, and assistant principals/principals.
This book is an excellent resource for anyone who is interested in organizing within the noted occupations, for those who are teaching about discrepancies in the workplace, and for those who want to learn more about the impact of organizational practices on workers.