Tony Horowitz:

1
Tony Horowitz Mr Edens Profits from Watching
Every Move

• Edens runs a factory style company that does
  lockbox processing, i.e. processing paperwork.
• Company is set up quite differently from what
  most would expect from a white-collar
  environment.
• No coffee, food, or religious ornaments on desks.

2
Horowitz (cont. 1)

• Quotas
• 3 envelopes per minute
• 8500 keystrokes per minute
• Talking is forbidden.
• Windows covered.
• Cameras are everywhere.
• Employees start at minimum wage, average is
  slightly more.

3
Horowitz (cont. 2)

• Is this a white-collar or blue collar job? What
  makes something white-collar?
• Does the monitoring have to be so aggressive?
  (keep in mind that thousands of dollars are
  handled in cash and checks)
• Is it about productivity or theft?
• Is the analogy of the classroom a good one?

4
Horowitz (cont. 3)

• What of the pedestal or birdhouse? What of
  the black globe?
• Experts say that monitoring results in a hostile
  work environment, pressure, and stress related
  illness.
• National Labor Relations Board filed many
  complaints against Edens company. Complaints
  included threats, spying, and interrogation.

5
Horiwitz (cont. 4)

• Settled out of court and reinstated a fired
  employee. Also posted notice saying it would
  refrain from illegal activities during 2nd union
  vote, which failed.
• Look at Edens language
• This is a controlled environment
• control cards
• the cage

6
Horowitz (cont. 5)

• If you want to watch someone, its easier from
  behind because they dont know youre watching
  them
• Its not a Big Brother attitude. Its more of a
  calming attitude
• Regarding the complaints Its all noise
• Its got to add stress when everyone knows their
  production is being monitored. I dont apologize
  for that.

7
Horowitz (cont. 6)

• Im not paying people to chat. Im paying them
  to open envelopes. I dont want them looking out
  its distracting. Theyll make mistakes.
• We dont ask these people to think the
  machines think for them. They dont have to make
  decisions.
• Workers of the office/factory felt lonely,
  trapped, and isolated.
• No variety in the job.
• Is this really Draconian?