08 July 2012

Lavatory Liberty

There is something of an internet brouhaha going on around this essay, which observes that private power restricts freedom even in the free market workplace.

I have no desire to add to the erudite discussion, but I have to say that I am amazed by the number of people who do not find certain workplace restrictions coercive and seem to have no experience of them.

I mean, along with service workers and assembly liners, teachers have significantly restricted bathroom breaks.  It is not uncommon for teachers to go four or five hours without being able to visit the lavatory.  Field trips and rainy days can lead to six to eight hours without a bathroom break.

This isn't to say that other workers do not face far more severe and ugly restrictions and coercions.  It's just to wonder if those who support absolute freedom for bosses are just totally clueless.  If such a large working group - in a professional class and unionized job no less - is subject to rather demeaning and possibly dangerous restrictions, how can you ignore reality?

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