"Workforce" and Wal-Mart

[Lord Garth]

I was watching "Workforce, Part I" on Netlix (I've seen Part II as well but not in about three years). The company Janeway, Tuvok, and Seven worked for, with its strict procedures, routines, and protocols reminded me of the working conditions at Wal-Mart where everything is regimented and codified to a ridiculous degree. I worked there once, years ago, for seven weeks and it was seven weeks I'll never get back.

The odd thing is how there was a labor shortage, workers were in high demand, and it was common for people to go from one job to the next. A stark contrast to today where no one takes a job for granted. When the economy picks up again (whenver that is), I bet there will be people who actually mean what Chakotay said hollowly when he was looking for Janeway, "I'm just happy to be here."

 

[TungstenV]

You don't have to have Dysphoria Syndrome to work here, but it helps... :P

 

[Shatnertage]

I'm guessing that you'd find the same kind of regimentation at any other large-scale employer, whether it's industrial or commercial.

I kind of was reminded of the casino where I used to work, in that we had a tendency to go out drinking together afterwards.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

Wal-Mart is that regimented?

The ones around here seem poorly run to me, constantly out of the same items and with people that have no idea what's going on.

I figure they're just going on the "more is better" principle.

 

[Lord Garth]

Breathing the wrong way was grounds for termination. I wasn't there long, but I have a friend who was and he's got stories. And, yeah, lots of incompetence from both the employees and the management.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Probably the BORG would be a better metaphor for Wal-Mart.

 

[Lord Garth]

Sam Walton as The Borg King! Janeway's deadliest enemy yet. Deadlier still since Wal-Mart bought out Weyland Yutani in the 24th Century.

The Borg didn't assimilate Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart assimilated the Borg!

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

^ It certainly explains the mindless drones I just encountered there.

 

[Lord Garth]

Picard: "They invade our cities and we fall back. They put other retailers out of business and we fall back. Not again. The line must be drawn here! This far and no further! And *I* will make them pay a full refund for what they've done!"

Seven of Nine (over the intercorm): "Locutus, report to Isle 9. Glass containment jar breach. Locutus to Isle 9."

Picard: "Enough of this Q! If I couldn't live out my days as that person, I sure as Hell couldn't live out my days as THIS ONE!"