General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: We romanticize manufacturing jobs when what we really miss are unions. [View all]passiveporcupine
(8,175 posts)the more challenging the job, if it's manual and repetetive, the more they enjoy it and feel invested in it. They will often work harder and won't require the "time standards" cracking a whip over their head to move faster faster faster.
I've done repetitive manufacturing work (I've also worked as an Industrial Engineer, setting time standards), and some jobs were so numbing it was hard to stay focused. Others were more challenging and it made them easier to not only stay focused, but it was fun to try to break my own time record, while still doing good work.
The really mind numbing ones are not good for people's initiative and drive, while the better ones are. The more skill required to do the job, the better it is.
Some of the things you are referring to, like knitting, making jewelry...they involve creativity, which is not an option in really repetitive thoughtless jobs. And fishing is a challenge. Not everyone can catch a fish and there are days a good fisherman can't catch one. It takes skill and technique (especially if you fly fish).
If you are trying to meet a time standard, which most repetitive jobs require, it's harder to let you mind wander...you start to lose speed...it's something you need to keep pushing.
I think any time they can make a job more challenging, it's better for the worker and the company.