Officies Essay, Research Paper
February 25, 1998
SOC 100X
Paper One
Social Structure of Bartlett and Sabol Law Offices
Social structure is a part of every organization, whether formal or informal. A very defined social structure is often evident in the workplace. In my workplace, Bartlett and Sabol Law Offices, the social structure is very concrete. There are many perspectives from which the social structure can be viewed. It can best be discussed in terms of statuses, roles, interactions, formal and informal organization, how members are socialized, norms, and how compliance with the norms is assured.
A brief description of the setup of the office is helpful. There are three lawyers in the office. The actual office is owned by Del, the elderly male lawyer. The two female lawyers rent their office space from Del. In addition to the attorneys, there are two employees. The full time employee is Eric, the paralegal. I am the part time employee. My duties include office management and secretarial tasks.
A look at the statuses in this workplace is key in understanding the social structure. All three attorneys are similar in the fact that they have the achieved status of having become a lawyer. They all attended additional schooling and training to reach this respected status. Eric has the achieved status of college graduate and is treated with the respect deserving of this achievement. He also has the status of paralegal. However, even though becoming a paralegal requires training, his status is considered equal to mine without my having training. My duties do not require special training, but they do require computer and organizational skills. Del has the additional status of owner and head operator of the firm.
The statuses held by the members of this workplace determine the roles in which they are involved. Role performance is fairly easy to determine. Del holds the role of supreme authoritarian on decisions that affect the entire office. He also has the role of paying the employees. The other two lawyers hold the roles as secondary authoritarians. Eric and I have roles as production workers. This means all work that needs to be done or documents that need to be produced occurs through us. I also have other roles which constitute a role set. In addition to a production work role, I have the role of accountant and file clerk as well.
All three attorneys often find themselves in a situation of role strain. Since the practice of choice in this firm is family law, many of the cases involve messy and emotional divorces and adoptions. On one hand, the attorneys are supposed to be caring and help their clients through the case. On the other hand, the attorneys have to be ruthless in the collection of fees for their work. This can entail suing clients who have been extremely delinquent in the payment of their bills. However, more often than not, the attorneys find themselves caught in a humanitarian role and allow the delinquent client to trade a service, such as office cleaning, for the payment of the fees (Zanden).
Interactions are another part of the social structure in this workplace. Del keeps his interactions with Eric formal. This is due to the fact that Eric is new to the firm. With time his interactions will become more informal. All other interactions in the office are informal. Often, interactions are done in writing and notes are left on chairs and desks. One of the female attorneys prefers non-confrontational interactions, while the other prefers face-to-face interactions. This way she feels her instructions and requests are fully and completely understood. Eric and I have very informal interactions. All information passed between us is verbal. In fact, our interactions have fallen into a daily pattern that helps to break up the long workday. This is an often found occurrence in work situations when the work performed is tedious and boring (Roy). We begin the day by discussing the list of work that needs to be done. At lunchtime, Eric gives me an update on the attorneys’ schedules for the rest of the day, then leaves for lunch. After lunch, I update Eric. Then there is the 3:00 “social break” to discuss between us things that are bothering us about the attorneys on that day.
Interactions in the workplace lead to the formal and informal organization of the office. Formally, Del is the head attorney in the office. The other attorneys are secondary in the formal structure. I am next in the line of formal organization with Eric just below me. Eric’s place in the formal organization will change to become equal with mine after he has been with the office for a few more months.
Informally, there is a different organization in the office. In this structure, the reverse of the formal structure is true. Eric and I have control of the office. This is evident in the fact that neither of us can take a sick day without several panic-stricken calls from the attorneys. Also, Eric and I make the decisions for the office and plant them with the attorneys so they appear as their own ideas. This is done through the two female attorneys who then go to Del.
As is the case in most places of work, there is a method for being socialized into the office family. The largest factor for socialization is time. It takes time for everyone to relax and be comfortable enough with a new person to trust them without keeping a close eye on them. For instance, the attorneys rarely check to see if my work is being completed or being completed correctly since I have been with the office for a year. However, Eric has been with the office for only a few weeks. The attorneys often check him on and they go over everything he does with a fine toothed comb. Also, you can only be socialized once you adopt the attitude that belongs in the office. This is a fairly relaxed atmosphere for an office, so if you do not have a sense of humor and take everything said personally, you will not be socialized. The last part of the socialization is complying with the norms. The attorneys are not comfortable with change, and therefore, the norms are very important to them.
The norms of the office allow us to function without having discord among the members of the office and allow us to keep from making contradictory statements to clients. They help to define the appropriate way to act around clients and others who come through our office. Most of the norms are directed toward Eric and I. They consist of proper ways to dress and proper ways to answer the phone or speak with clients. These allow us to coordinate our efforts instead of creating havoc (Becker). Another set of norms deals with the correct way to put papers away and to distribute work to be reviewed. Without these norms the office could not function.
Compliance with the norms is rarely a problem. If an employee does not follow the norms, they will be fired. With as few rules as exist in the office there is no reason for not following them. Another enforcement of complying with the norms is the production of work. If a person does not go along with these norms, files, documents, and other important items are lost and time becomes wasted. If a person is not following the norms set forth in this office, one of the attorneys will talk to him or her and set the person back in the right direction. If one of the attorneys is not following the norms, it simply takes a quick conversation by either Eric or I to find out if new norms are coming into play or if we should continue with the existing norms. The attorneys rarely stray from the norms since they are not fond of any kind of change.
In conclusion, this office offers an interesting social structure. Depending on how you look at the intricacies of the structure, several layers of activity can be seen. The formal and informal organizations are complete opposites in this office. This is why the norms remain simple and easy to adopt. The norms are easily followed by all ends of the spectrum in the organization of the office. The statuses and roles of the office are changing daily and can be seen in the way interactions take place. Overall, it is a complex structure not often found in such a small office.
References Cited
Becker, Howard S. “Culture: A Sociological View,” The Yale Review, September 2, 1982, pp 513-527.
Roy, Donald F. “‘Banana Time’: Job Satisfaction and Informal Interaction.”Human Organization, vol.18, 1959.
Zanden, Vander. Sociology-The Core. 4th ed. McGraw-Hill Primis. USA:1997.
Bibliography
References Cited
Becker, Howard S. “Culture: A Sociological View,” The Yale Review, September 2, 1982, pp 513-527.
Roy, Donald F. “‘Banana Time’: Job Satisfaction and Informal Interaction.”Human Organization, vol.18, 1959.
Zanden, Vander. Sociology-The Core. 4th ed. McGraw-Hill Primis. USA:1997.
Другие работы по теме:
Been Gay Is Really A Choice Essay
, Research Paper Homosexuality Since the 1800’s, psychiatrists and psychologists have concluded that homosexuality is a mental disorder. They have believed it is brought about by misguided upbringing and their social environments. For instance, it was believed that if the child was lacking a male – figure in the home, he would most likely be gay.
The Process Of Writing An Essay Essay
, Research Paper In today’s society, essays are used by millions of people in order To express their different ideas. The use of them has proved to be an organized and efficient method of communicating diversified views about any subject. These subjects could range from social issues and moral dilemmas to analyses of literature.
Saints Roughnecks Essay Research Paper With the
Saints Roughnecks Essay, Research Paper With the social perspective of the wealthy and poor described in ?The Saints and Roughnecks? written William Chambliss, there are several theories that are
Social Ills Essay Research Paper Every society
Social Ills Essay, Research Paper Every society of every civilization known to man has had its share of social ills. Even dating back to biblical times people have struggled with an ever-increasing number of hardships. All of which have led to the downfall of its social structure. As we all know, nothing lasts forever, but with the help of strong minds and able bodies, societies can curb their ills and ?clean up their act?.
Effects Of African American Family Structure On
Sc Essay, Research Paper Effects of African American Family Structure on School Attitudes and PerformanceIn today’s world, there is such a big emphasis on education and itsimportance. And there should be an emphasis. Unfortunately, not everyonehas the same attitude about receiving a good education.
Weep Not Child By Ngugi Essay Research
Paper Question #2 – What are some issues particular to the society in question and how are those issues expressed by the author? Ngugi’s novel, Weep Not Child, is one of hope and of opposition. It opens up to address issues particular to the society. The purpose of this essay is to analyze the issues addressed in the text, and show how the issues are expressed by the author.
Women In Saudi Arabia Victims Of Discrimination
Essay, Research Paper Saudi Arabia, which is located in the Middle East, is known as a religious state where religion and government are one in the same. As the Islamic Religion is the government, its book, the Quran (Koran) is the foundation and structure of the laws in Saudi Arabia. As dictated in the Koran, men hold all governmental positions while the women stay home and perform domestic duties.
Animal Farm Essay Research Paper All communities
Animal Farm Essay, Research Paper All communities have the same, similar social structure. The social structures on Earth have had the same general outline since Creation to right now. If you stand back and look, you can see that a government, neighborhood, school or family all have the same general social structures.
Sociology Essay Research Paper QUESTION 1
Sociology Essay, Research Paper QUESTION 1 What is science about and how does sociology fit in it?Sociology is the scientific study of human social activity. In the effort to study human social activity sociologists brake it down into objects of analysis. The three objects of analysis are population, social structure, and the individual.
Social Mobility Essay Research Paper Social Mobility
Social Mobility Essay, Research Paper Social Mobility: A Case Study In a world where it is hard to get ahead, some people do manage to do it. Most of us spend our lives within our strata in the stratifications system because it is very difficult to move up in the world, as we know it today. While it is quite easy to move down a strata it can also require some effort to just maintain a strata.
Hegel Is There Sovereignity Essay Research Paper
Is there such a thing as sovereignty of the people? Hegel, born in 1770 was living in a period where modernity began. He was greatly influenced by such leaders like Napoleon. The basic idea behind modernity is a society, which is non-hierarchal and liberated. Hegel puts a great deal of influence on the individual, on the social aspect of the human and man s need for recognition.
Social Security 2 Essay Research Paper Social
Social Security 2 Essay, Research Paper Social security is very essential for most of today s older Americans. Since it was begun, it has been a sort of protection for retired workers, and for disabled workers. Social Security allows people to live independently and still have their dignity. There are about 150 million workers protected by Social security and more then 44 million people receive Social Security benefits.
Progressivism Essay Research Paper The Progressive EraThe
Progressivism Essay, Research Paper The Progressive Era The Progressive Era initiated reforms that benefited the individual and the whole society. Industrial and social reforms were launched to benefit the individual and the whole society. Movements were begun to help the individual benefit from the corrupt industrial system .
Positive Aspests Of Fraternities Essay Research Paper
The Positive Aspects Of Fraternities A college fraternity exists on the premise that a man is by nature a social being and needs the companionship with his fellow man. A fraternity provides a structure, and an environment in which close friendships can flourish, Bringing each of the fraternity members closer to themselves.
Ancient Mayan Civilization Essay Research Paper The
Ancient Mayan Civilization Essay, Research Paper The Ancient Mayan Civilization was built upon a rigid social structure based on their religious beliefs. They used a caste social structure in which divisions were based on wealth, inherited rank, privilege, profession, or occupation. Their beliefs were based on the fact that nature elements had the power to either help or harm.
Social Security Essay Research Paper Social securityThe
Social Security Essay, Research Paper Social security The issue I am addressing today is what to do about social security. There is going to be a large problem with our social security in years to come. Both Al Gore and Bush
Colonies Essay Research Paper The Colonies by
Colonies Essay, Research Paper The Colonies by 1763 : A New Society? Between the settlement of Jamestown in 1607 and the Treaty of Paris in 1763, the most important change that occurred in the colonies was the emergence of society quite different from that in England. Changes in religion, economics, politics and social structure illustrate this Americanization of the transplanted Europeans.
Education And Class A Class Act Essay
, Research Paper Class theorists argue that class provides the basic structure of society and is also the chief cause of the inequality of modern societies. The hierarchy of the Australia class system consists of a “ruling” upper class, a “white-collar” middle class, and a “laboring” working class. There is enormous inequality between the class groups and especially between the upper- and middle-classes and the working-class.
Juvenile Justice Essay Research Paper There are
Juvenile Justice Essay, Research Paper There are many theories of why juveniles become delinquent. Some theories that relate to Gloria are the Biosocial, Choice, Psychological, Social Structure Theories. The first theory that can apply to Gloria is neurological a Biosocial theory. This states that juveniles become delinquent due to learning disabilities such as attention deficit hyperactive disorder.
A Tribal Society Essay Research Paper
Despite contrasts and variety economic patterns and cultural patterning ? social structure almost always tribal.? Immediate family, accessible family and
Privacy Essay Research Paper As laws policies
Privacy Essay, Research Paper As laws, policies, and technological design increasingly structure people’s relationships with social institutions, individual privacy faces new threats and new opportunities. Over the last several years, the realm of technology and privacy has been transformed, creating a landscape that is both dangerous and encouraging.
Social Factors Of Childhood Aggression Essay Research
Paper Researchers have found several social factors that attribute to childhood aggression. Some of these factors include mother infant relationships, neighborhood structure, family structure, and peer influences.
Plato Republic 2 Essay Research Paper The
Plato Republic 2 Essay, Research Paper The Republic of Plato explores the meaning of Justice from both an individual and societal point of view. It also looks into the incorporation of Justice into human society, in other words, how to create an ideal state of social order in a society. This is carried out through the various dialogues and arguments between Socrates and other individuals.
Social Change In The Us Essay Research
Paper Social Change in the United States Social change is the changes with living together as a group with human beings. People experience social change all of their life and it never ends. Without social change, this world would be very dull and boring.
A Critical Analysis Essay Research Paper A
A Critical Analysis Essay, Research Paper A Critical Analysis of Evelyn Waugh’s “Bella Fleace Gave a Party” In the introduction to “Bella Fleace Gave a Party”, extensive background is revealed to help the reader understand the times in which the character lived. It is a time of enormous change in the political and social structure of these people’s lives.
Dna Structure Essay Research Paper DNA Structure
Dna Structure Essay, Research Paper DNA Structure DNA is a double stranded molecule twisted into a helix. Each spiraling strand is comprised of a sugar phosphate backbone and attached bases connected to a complimentary strand. The complimentary strand is connected by non-covalent hydrogen bonding between paired bases.
Ideal Of Perfection Essay Research Paper Ideal
Ideal Of Perfection Essay, Research Paper Ideal of Perfection Throughout history the Greeks have been know to be excellent in almost every aspect of life. Aristocracy was a major part in the structure of Greek culture and males were the complete rulers of the Greek cities. The Greek s set up a social structure where the males would be gauged by the Greek ideal of perfection.
The Social History Of Maycomb Essay Research
Paper The Social History Of Maycomb Maycomb is said to have a very ridged social structure. Some people would describe it as a social triangle. In this piece of work I will try to explain that structure using comments made by Jem.
Community And Social Structure Essay Research Paper
AssignmentIII The idea of people being social in nature can be clearly illustrated by the groups, or communities that one sees all around them. Groups of individuals share a common perspective of what reality consists of, this is known as culture(Charon, 1997). This reality is perceived through our interactions with others in the group and by what our position is within that group(Charon, 1997).
A Tale Of Two Cities Faults Of
Social Structure Essay, Research Paper A Tale of Two Cities: Faults of Social Structure Charles Dickens has been acclaimed as one of the foremost satirists of the
Structure Of Hamlet Essay Research Paper Structure
Structure Of Hamlet Essay, Research Paper Structure of hamletThe structure of Shakespeare s “Hamlet”, lays on the little information received by Hamlet from the mysterious ghost. Among all the characters, Marcellus seems to have the deepest understanding of the personality of this ghost. He is the one who fears a relation with this ghost.
Retail Trade Essay Research Paper Write a
Retail Trade Essay, Research Paper Write a structure-performance study of the retail trade industry Paper should include the ff structure 1 Introduction. In this section you give an overview of the industry, its size, growth over the past 10-20 yrs, its important to the economy and other significant factors. 1-2 pages