Labor Relations Commons^™

Flat Whites: Work In Cafes, Janet G. Sayers

Janet G Sayers

Examines the phenomenon of people working in cafes in Auckland, New Zealand and argues that there are several characteristics of this type of work using the acronym FLAT WHITES. 1. Formality/informality (power, hierarchy, control) 2. Leisure (treat, reward, pleasure, non-work time, respite) 3. Aesthetic (marketing, branding, self-identity, status) 4. Transactions (relationship, networking, affiliation, horizontal communication) 5. Work stations (place of work, convenience, temporary work place, technology, table size, table distance, chair comfort 6. Hospitality (food and drink, inside/outside boundaries, welcome, belonging, rituals around food) 7. Innovate (creativity, idea work, entrepreneurialism, inspiration, synthesis) 8. Time (flexibility, time compression, work intensification, personal …