Predomínio da gestão e violência simbólica

After two decades of dramatic ascension of neoliberalism, several observers have denounced the degradation of work conditions: some of them mention “violence at work”, highlighting the social-economic dimensions that shape professional universes. This article is included in this perspective and particularly considers the role of “managerialism dynamics” in the use of violence at work. It stands on two emblematic situations: work in call centers, and the implementation of a “total” management device called Balanced Scorecard, in a multinational company. The paper shows that violences linked to a “managerial fact” are revealed in three different articulated levels. In the first one, violence results from macro-political transformations that make introduction and renewing of the management devices implausible. In the second level, violence takes place as a result of the implementation of management devices. Finally in the third level, symbolic violence, which supports practices of different categories of actors, is revealed. The overlapping between these levels makes most actors adopt an attitude of resignation due to their impossibility to get free from management. This evidence leads to a better focusing on the place and on the way of acting to face violence at work.