James R. Stanton's "The Line" (Overtime Hour #74) is a tight short story exploring various dimensions of workplace life and interpersonal interplays in a refrigerator factory. Destiny has worked at the factory for a long time; she has worked almost all manufacturing roles and has seen nearly everything. Destiny is the one you want to work at a key time, cover a position when there is an absence, and train the green employees when they hit the shopfloor. Chelsea is a new hire who has been fit into a new program for challenged and challenging individuals. Destiny uses her break-in time with Chelsea as a sea change for both her and the new hire.
This is a very satisfying read. Stanton has a good working knowledge of manufacturing, and an even better understanding of psychology, management and getting what you want and need in the workplace. I would put this short publication on the required reading list for any course touching on workplace relations.
James R. Stanton's "The Line", and all the other wonderful publications from Blue Cubicle Press are available on their website.
- John Beck