Capitalist economies are built on producing profitable products and services. Ehrenreich (2001), highlights how workers are essential to a capitalist society. Ehrenreich shows that low-paid occupations, which are focused on increasing their personal value rather than the wellbeing of employees, make it difficult for individuals to survive. The primary purpose of an employee within a capitalist system, is to create profits for the business. Nothing else is important as long as the company’s profits are increasing. They go to great lengths to ensure a high profit surplus. Ehrenreich (2001), a book on rigorous management, explains that restaurant managers want workers to work hard, even when they don’t have any urgency. Reeves (2018) illustrates Karl Marx’s views on capitalism, which is that it tends to be against workers. This system’s main purpose is to restrict employees’ free time. Ehrenreich shows that it is not possible for employees to have multiple jobs.
Ehrenreich’s analysis of capitalist systems is something I know well since I held an identical position. I was subject to poor pay and difficult tasks. My boss was also very autocratic. Ehrenreich (2001), demonstrates how calm in restaurants can be just as stressful than rush hour. Servers aren’t allowed to take breaks. The real estate market was slow during the corona epidemic. I had to work longer hours to appear active. I wouldn’t have been able to take on more difficult jobs if I didn’t. Ehrenreich (2001), describes the time she vacuums restaurant floors using a broken handle. This requires her to kneel from one section to another. It reminds me of the time I had to organize and clean out document storage spaces for better accessibility. Because each order of shelves I made was incorrect, it took me over a week for this task to be completed.