The Accentuation of Psychological Taint in 'Dirty' Work - The Case of Mangement Consulting

Abstract

In this study, we develop the concept of ‘dirty’ and otherwise stigmatised work, by considering a psychological form of taint and identifying new ways in which taint is coped with. Traditionally, studies of dirty work have focused on the dirt, distress and health risks in ‘manual’ occupations. We consider a ‘knowledge intensive’ role that is stigmatised in some contexts for a lack of morality, but also highly regarded – management consulting. Based on interviews with management consultants working in high status firms, we reveal the psychologically, rather than physically, socially or morally, ‘dirty’ components of work, arising from the effects of irregular and long work hours, pressure to meet deadlines and continuous stress. In doing so, we also complement the emerging literature on the experience of occupational taint by identifying three self-tainting tactics that consultants draw on to accentuate, rather than normalize taint: explication, ambiguity and humour.