The High Cost of Efficiency

This chapter examines the intense pressure faced by Woolworths workers due to stringent performance metrics demanding 100% efficiency. It highlights the physical and mental toll on employees as they navigate unrealistic expectations and constant surveillance, comparing their tasks to a challenging game of Tetris. The discussion reveals the detrimental effects of these demands, including feelings of humiliation and the risk of injury, prompting a critique of management's focus on outdated productivity principles.