The Symbolic Order and the Power to Name

I think that these types of titles act as cues or short-cuts for how this particular establishment expects outsiders to interact with each person. Like Max Weber's model of bureaucracy, this hierarchy between professionals connotes the level of social prestige that each person receives. The manager is inherently superior to the server, even if this particular manager is not motivated to perform more responsibility in their job. The server is probably on the lowest rung of the social ladder within this establishment, yet they could also work the hardest, but does that quality of work show up on a resume when they apply for a different job? Unfortunately, due to the bureaucratic structure, using the title "Server" on a resume is less effective than "Manager" is, even though neither title specifically indicates how hard the applicant worked.

Often, people who become managers are hired because they showed that they could take on more responsibility, but this is not absolute. Unlike the position of "Lawyer," there is no certification that supports that the manager can perform the job, other than the assumption that because they have that experience, they are more responsible than the server. Perhaps the main culprit here is that there is not a standard in place for what a manager should be doing, as managerial positions differ across industries.

Hi Emily, I think you made a great point. Oftentimes there are no such official certification for people to become a manager. People don't need to take any form of exam to become a manager. However, I believe that there are certain criteria for what kind of person should take the position as manager. Also I am not too sure about why you think that there is not a standard in place for what a manager should be doing. Personally, I think they have certain tasks, such as monitoring all the employees, be responsible for the store, etc. The responsibility and more strict criteria(such as more working experience and leadership skill) that linked to the title of "manager" granted them more wages. In this sense, I think that the value of the title is more important or is more rewarded than their actual work.