At the back end of last year, I wrote about the “class gap” that exists in many professions. Indeed, so pronounced is this gap that the Social Mobility Foundation mark November 14, as this is the effective date at which working-class employees stop earning compared to their peers.
The most “class-ridden” roles included CEOs, finance managers, management consultants, and solicitors. By contrast, professions in engineering, journalism, and science tended to be more egalitarian and have a smaller pay gap.
Class in elite institutions
Cambridge Judge Business School’s Sandra Ool focused on such elite institutions in a recent paper that examines how the financial careers of working-class individuals progressed in the City of London.
The research reveals that although certain working-class individuals undergo a disorienting encounter with unfamiliar cultural norms and subsequently remove themselves from elite institutions, a more intricate connection exists between working-class identity and the established standards of these esteemed establishments.
Instead, the author unveils the prospect of “class-destroying work” achieved through the continuous cultivation of working-class individuals throughout their lifetimes.
“I move away from the fleeting nature of cross-class encounters by taking a holistic view of people’s careers,” the author explains. “By looking at people’s careers in length, I reveal how working-class people can generate agency and engage in institutional change through identity work.”
Class shock
Based on in-depth interviews with eleven individuals hailing from working-class backgrounds in the United Kingdom, encompassing both white and Asian demographics, who are currently employed as bankers or consultants in London’s bustling financial sector.
Additionally, the study draws upon a range of sources, including corporate press releases and annual reports, which serve to shed light on official company messaging while providing a stark contrast to the lived experiences of working-class individuals on the ground.
The research finds that a significant number of working-class individuals who secure positions within elite institutions undergo a transformative journey marked by three distinct stages: class shock, class reconciliation, and class activism. These stages encapsulate their nuanced processes of self-discovery, confronting disparities, and ultimately finding common ground.
Micromoments
The initial stage, class shock, manifests when these individuals encounter subtle class distinctions in their day-to-day interactions, often during casual conversations about shopping, travel, and socializing.
The magnitude of these “micromoments” leads some interviewees to perceive their more privileged colleagues as “others” or “those people.” As one participant recounted, recalling an early-career work-related barbecue, the simple question of how he preferred his steak cooked became a poignant reminder of his unfamiliarity with the varying degrees of preparation: “I didn’t have a clue about rare, medium rare, well done. Honest to God, I never felt poor until I joined the firm. I always remember that—how would you like your steak cooked? Not a f—— clue. Felt like an idiot.”
Others recalled instances where assumptions were made about their hobbies and lifestyles. For instance, one interviewee shared how a colleague was taken aback upon discovering that she had read Emily Brontë’s novel, Wuthering Heights.
These persistent feelings of not belonging led individuals to question their very presence within the organization, prompting them to seek ways to “catch up” and bridge the perceived gap.
Class reconciliation
Through the subsequent stage of class reconciliation, these working-class individuals strive to reconcile their own identities and experiences with the prevailing norms of the elite environment.
This process involves adapting to certain aspects of the new social and cultural milieu while retaining a sense of authenticity and loyalty to their own working-class origins.
The final stage, class activism, emerges as a response to the challenges faced and the internal conflicts experienced throughout their journeys. Some individuals channel their newfound awareness and insights into advocating for broader societal change and breaking down the barriers that impede the progress of working-class individuals within elite institutions.
This proactive stance allows them to cultivate a sense of empowerment and become agents of transformation within their professional spheres.
The study aims to unravel the intricate dynamics that unfold when working-class individuals navigate the realms of elite institutions. By capturing the experiences of those interviewed and analyzing contrasting corporate narratives, the research unveils a multifaceted narrative that underscores the transformative potential inherent in lifelong personal development for working-class individuals—a potential that can lead to the dismantling of class barriers and the creation of a more inclusive social landscape.
What organizations can do
The paper concludes with three crucial measures that organizations can adopt to address the pervasive class divide and the challenges stemming from it:
- Integrating class consciousness into their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) agenda, alongside existing focal points such as gender, race, LGBTQ+ representation, and disability. By recognizing and highlighting the presence of class disparities, organizations can enhance the visibility of this particular divide, ensuring it receives the attention it warrants.
- Actively engaging with working-class colleagues to gain a comprehensive understanding of their unique lived experiences. This empathetic approach facilitates the development of a roadmap for implementing transformative initiatives that dismantle unequal practices and foster a more inclusive environment. By listening to and valuing the perspectives of those who hail from working-class backgrounds, organizations can effectively drive meaningful change.
- Encouraging open discussions surrounding class as a distinct identity and celebrating individuals who have transcended class barriers. This can be achieved by promoting vocal role models who exemplify successful journeys from working-class origins to professional achievement. Research has shown that these role models serve as potent catalysts for igniting change, inspiring others, and challenging existing norms.
By embracing these three strategic steps, organizations can actively address the class divide, dismantle inequitable structures, and create a more inclusive environment that acknowledges the significance of class as an identity. Such efforts will not only enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion within the organization but also contribute to broader societal progress.
