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‘Chocolates for the Director’ and Other Tales of Public Sector Absurdity

In: The Absurd Workplace

Author

Listed:
  • Matthijs Bal

    (University of Lincoln)

  • Andy Brookes

    (University of Lincoln)

  • Dieu Hack-Polay

    (University of Lincoln
    Crandall University)

  • Maria Kordowicz

    (University of Lincoln
    University of Nottingham)

  • John Mendy

    (University of Lincoln)

Abstract

This chapter fuses critical institutionalism and literary analysis, along with autobiographical autoethnographic anecdotes, to formulate an account of absurdity in the English public sector. The lesser-known work of the renowned Polish satirist Sławomir Mrożek ‘Chocolates for the Director’ (original: Czekoladki dla Prezesa) is explored and utilized as a framework to exemplify institutional farce. Mrożek’s work encapsulated the hypernormalized ‘fake world’ public organization practices typical of Soviet-era Poland, and his literary style and role characterizations are studied in this chapter. The account considers the realm of bureaucratic practices and rituals in contemporary England; the author’s own reflections of studying the National Health Service ethnographically and working within it and in Higher Education are drawn upon, including in the ‘old normal’ and the pandemic eras. The chapter stays faithful to the literary genre of absurdism and offers no solutions.

Suggested Citation

  • Matthijs Bal & Andy Brookes & Dieu Hack-Polay & Maria Kordowicz & John Mendy, 2023. "‘Chocolates for the Director’ and Other Tales of Public Sector Absurdity," Springer Books, in: The Absurd Workplace, chapter 5, pages 117-130, Springer.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:sprchp:978-3-031-17887-0_5
    DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-17887-0_5
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