Labor in The Office – Health Care

Fifteen years after the airing of “Health Care,” the issue the episode focuses on still remains an unresolved problem. The United States of America still considers health care to be a commodity to be purchased and not a human right. As a result, the country continues to spend more than any other nation for worse health outcomes and people continue to die as a result. Because health care has been treated as an employer-provided perk for as long as it has, situations like that seen in The Office – where an employer chooses the cheapest plan as a cost-cutting measure – are a sad reality. In a sick twist masquerading as a solution, the Obama administration continued profit-oriented capitalist domination of health care with the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA or “Obamacare”). Now, many workers are forced to choose the cheapest insurance. It’s their responsibility! Even with the individual mandate requiring everyone purchase health insurance, this arrangement isn’t capitalist or classist enough for the Republicans – who have weakened the law to the point where they only thing keeping it alive is it’s popularity (it is better than what came before – nothing), in part, because insurance companies can no longer refuse to cover those with pre-existing conditions. When pregnancy is considered a “pre-existing condition,” it should come as a shock to none that almost everyone has a “pre-existing condition” (acne is a condition, by the way). I’ll set this aside, however, because people more knowledgeable have more intelligently written about the U.S. health care fiasco elsewhere.

Early in the episode, Michael, the Regional Manager, states, “I give them money…,” and then explains how he has direct control, input, or involvement in the office workers’ lives as a result. It becomes clear he will be playing the role of the capitalist or corporation for the episode when he delegates the authority of choosing the plan to Dwight, a Salesperson who could be described as a reactionary, authoritarian brown-noser. Market forces (represented by Michael’s supervisor, Jan) have pressured the corporation (Michael) to cut health care costs to maximize profits. As a result, management (represented by Dwight) looks for the cheapest option with absolutely no input from the workers. Initially, Dwight takes a very feudalistic, “anarcho-capitalist,” or libertarian position when he states, “...in the wild there is no health insurance….” His initial choice provides the least and is the worst for the workers. To avoid conflict, Michael instructs him to choose a different plan. Much of the episode focuses on his absurdity, HIPAA violations, and Michael’s avoidance of responsibility (again, he’s representing capitalists so the behavior is spot-on).

It is hard not to notice how little input the workers have in the choice of their health care. In the miniature feudal state represented by the office setting, the workers are having, not only their working conditions, but also their living conditions dictated to them by an entity which does not have their best interests in mind. The corporation is only concerned about maximizing profits and everyone’s health care suffers as a result. Naturally, workers are powerless only if they don’t realize they have agency. By harming the only thing a capitalist organization cares about – profits – workers can force businesses and the capitalist class to honor their demands. By withholding their labor through actions such as strikes, workers hit capitalists where it hurts them – in the bank account. You see, Michael (as the capitalist) isn’t the one giving money to the workers. It’s the other way around. Without the workers making the money through their labor, the capitalists wouldn’t have any in the first place!

Enough of this Marxist digression – except to say unions use the threat to profits as leverage for working conditions which include things like health insurance based on member input. For example, there is a Las Vegas union whose members don’t even have to pay premiums! Imagine what could be done if the entire working classrealized what those union members already know and have achieved through their solidarity….

While on that topic, we see the workers engage in their first solidarity or direct actions. Illustrated by Pam, the Receptionist, and Jim, a Salesperson, the workers engage in a form of sabotage. In order to confound Dwight, the workers fill out forms they’ve been ordered to complete with fake, ridiculous diseases. This actions frustrates the process and causes Dwight some consternation. Of course, there were consequences. Some people were asked embarrassing questions about their health problems. I guess it could be said each action can have a reaction so keep that in mind if you ever consider filling out a form claiming your back teeth are melting down your throat.

As funny as the fake diseases might be, the episode ends with a demonstration of a very powerful direct action. Despite whatever hopes they might have had, Dwight had chosen a terrible health plan and no one is happy. As a result, the entire work force, in unison, marches on the boss. When a group acts in solidarity and confronts their boss and doesn’t cede any authority, the message really gets across. In this case, the office directly confronts Michael about their terrible coverage. Michael flounders awkwardly and is powerless, speechless. The workers have control and it shows in his face. In the end, they all file out for the day looking disgusted. Is that how the confrontation should have ended? I’ll leave that up to the viewer. I will say, however, this is a very effective tactic and workers who may be interested in engaging in this type of action need to prepare thoroughly to maximize its impact.

I appreciate you taking the time to read my ramblings. If there are any topics you think I should include in the future or you think I’ve overlooked something, feel free to reach out to me on Twitter at @unionlegion, Mastodon at @I_Will_Wobble, or email me at union.legion (at) nym [dot] hush{dot}com.

Previously: Diversity Day
Up Next: The Alliance