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Pills, ills and the ugly face of aesthetic labour: ‘They should’ve discriminated against me’

Author

Listed:
  • Clare Butler

    (Newcastle University, UK)

  • Joanne Harris

    (Office Manager in a professional services firm, UK)

Abstract

This article presents a vivid account of one woman’s experience of taking on a second job – the role of a slimming club consultant – when her husband is made unemployed. Her story highlights how aesthetic labour, particularly when a worker’s appearance becomes more prominent over time, can lead to dangerous behaviours, namely the use of weight-loss pills and illegal drugs. These behaviours resulted in sleeplessness, frequent headaches and a feeling of disgust. Furthermore, this troubling account raises an important and uncomfortable question: can discrimination in the workplace sometimes be ‘for the best’?

Suggested Citation

  • Clare Butler & Joanne Harris, 2015. "Pills, ills and the ugly face of aesthetic labour: ‘They should’ve discriminated against me’," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 29(3), pages 508-516, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:woemps:v:29:y:2015:i:3:p:508-516
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