ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the examination of the social profile of job incumbents, by outlining their position in the general structure of inequality. It also discusses the distinction is drawn between component-wage and full-wage jobs – a distinction that emphasizes the importance of domestic responsibilities in the structuring of women’s and men’s employment. The postal and telephonist jobs involved the performance of routine tasks, the training for which was acquired after recruitment. Although specific types of pre-job experiences were required for entry into either job, the social backgrounds of postal workers and telephonists were dissimilar in significant respects. The employment position prior to entering the telephonist job was very different for older female telephonists. One major difference between the older women and men was the general employment status of the women prior to their current job. Intentions with respect to current employment experience complete the picture of relations of social background and employment.
