The Observer, November 3, 2006
Volume XXXIX, Issue 9
When work doesn't pay: Bonjour Laziness
Throughout the United States, middle managers claim that they are overworked, underpaid, and neglected by the companies to which they give their time and energy. Even students echo these sentiments, claiming that schools are just as harsh. Luckily, French author Corinne Maier penned a solution manual to our problems, aptly titled Bonjour Laziness: Why Hard Work Doesn't Pay. Let's take a moment to consider the facts. This book is about being lazy. 'International Bestseller' is emblazoned on the cover. The summary on the back declares, "In short, this book explains why it is in your best interest to work as little as possible." All things considered, everyone should read this book, right?
Not exactly. Think of this book as a printed, non-narrative version of Office Space. Sure, it's funny to the casual consumer because of the absurdity; however, when someone actually works in a cube-farm, he realizes that, in some bizarre way, Office Space has successfully mirrored his life exactly. Usually, the moment of clarity comes as he is stapling the cover sheet to his TPS report. However, the writing of that TPS report is where Bonjour Laziness comes in.
The first matter that Maier addresses is that of corporate jargon. Boring words that actually have concrete definitions are not a strategy for corporate success. It is imperative, however, that circumlocution is utilized to optimize inveiglement and obfuscation. Moreover, conformity and impersonal language must be trademarks of every meeting and memo. Once you understand these concepts, it's easy to say nothing at all. This wisdom is only the tip of the iceberg for Maier's manual of sedition.
The rest of the book deals with the realities, or perhaps caricatures of realities, that a middle manager might meet. Notably, there is quite an accurate description of engineers as I know them, describing them as "wary of [their] fellow man – and even more so of women, who are by nature unreliable and a source of endless complication." Basically, Maier has managed to blend absolute truth with tongue-in-cheek corporate humor, and it's actually quite funny.
Although the book is short, the best is definitely saved for last. After describing business as it stands, Maier confronts what we're all seeking in the chapters entitled, "Why There's No Risk Disengaging Yourself" and "Begin Your Sabotage Tomorrow." I'm going to be honest with you: any book which gives you advice from Dilbert cannot possibly be wrong. As you read, recall the image of the Pointy-Haired Boss and remember that, if you are destined for corporate life, he is the guy who manages you, regardless of his actual hairstyle. Then realize that, with the wisdom of these chapters, you will be doing almost nothing right under his nose.
Is this book serious? I'm not really sure that it's not. It's certainly meant to be funny, but Maier seems to want everyone to take home a few points (regardless of their truth). She asserts that corporations are indifferent about their employees and care very little for their well-being. Because of this, you have a responsibility to show the same indifference to your corporate employer by doing a whole lot of nothing.
Again, you might not understand all of the jokes in the book. I certainly don't. But, if you enjoy tongue-in-cheek, informal writing that blasts The Man for all the wrong that he supposedly does to society, this book is definitely for you. If you're worried about author hypocrisy, Maier is a part-time economist for a French company and has taken quite a lot of vacation lately to promote her book. Sit down, throw your feet up, and say hello to this book, preferably while you're on the clock.
