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ARTICLE · 12 AUGUST 2014

Working for The Man: working conditions in Australia

Carroll & O'Dea
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When Roy Orbison was singing, working conditions were limited, but a worker in contemporary Australia has other options.

AustraliaEmployment and HR
Michael Barnes
Michael Barnes
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When Roy Orbison in 1962 wrote and sang the song "Working For The Man", it may well be that he was reflecting his times and the working conditions for the American unskilled and semi-skilled workforce.

He sang of a worker who had a lotta lotta work to do. Pick up your feet we got a deadline to meet. I'm gonna see you make it on time. Don't relax. I want elbows and backs. I want to see everybody from behind. 'Cause your working for the man.

He sang of:

  1. slaving all day
  2. abiding his time
  3. in a relationship with the boss man's daughter who at various times was treating him right.

This worker had hopes for his future however he appeared to see his future as emulating his boss as he was just "abiding my time" until one day "the company and the daughter" would "be all mine".

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