1. Pair up with another student. Interview each other to find out names, where you both come from, and what other courses you are currently taking.

2. In turn, introduce your partner to the other members of the class.

3. Two pairs now join up, and the group of four discuss: What was the worst job that you had? What made it so bad? What was the best job that you ever had? What made it so good?

4. Appoint a scribe, to record the recurring themes revealed in group members’ stories about their best and worst jobs. Appoint also a group spokesperson.

5. The spokespersons then give presentations to the whole class, summarizing the recurring features of what made a job good or bad. As you listen, use this score sheet to record the frequency of occurrence of the various factors.

Factors Individual factors Group factors Structural factors Management factors Factors affecting job experience Examples Pay: reasonable or poor Job training: comprehensive or none Personality: clashes with other people Communication: frequent or little Co-workers: helping or not contributing Conflict with co-workers Pressure to conform to group norms Staff not welded into a team Job tasks: boring or interesting Job responsibilities: clear or unclear Supervision: too close or little Rules: too many or insufficient guidance Boss: considerate or autocratic Decisions imposed or opinions asked for Disagreements with managers: often or few Changes: well or poorly implemented if mentioned