Uncovering Inequality in the Workplace: A Conversation on Risk, Workers’ Rights, and Ownership

Hey, get off the phone. Why’d you tell her to do that? I’m the boss. She’s at work. But what if it’s an emergency? Or her family? I mean, nothing urgent’s happening right now. She’s just waiting for another shipment. I pay her to be here. Her time is mine right now. How much do you pay her? 7:25 an hour. Huh? How much product does she make in an hour? On average, 10. How much you make off of those 10? After input cost, probably 20 dollars. Sounds like she’s paying you 12 70. Five an hour for you to tell her to stay off the phone. But I run the business. How’d you buy the business? Took out a loan from the bank. How do you make those loan payments? With the money made from selling products. Right. The products that the 2,000 workers make. Aren’t you worried that they’ll catch on? The banks not gonna give them a loan. Why not? They’re all in debt. Why is that? 7:25 an hour is not that much to live off of. But it sounds like you make plenty. Why not share? Because I took on the risk. If this business fails, I declare bankruptcy. Huh. And what about the workers? Well, I’d have to fire them. Sounds like they’re taking on the risk. No, they would find a new job. Well, so could you. The bank wouldn’t give me another loan if I declared bankruptcy. No, you could work You could get a job like them. What? So the risk you’re taking is potentially becoming a worker. Look, lower your voice. Doesn’t matter. I’m probably on their for you page right now anyway. No, they’re not supposed to be on their phones at work. That one is