oung waiters and social- and heYoung waiters and social- and healthcare students’ experiences with microaggressions at their workplace

Abstract

The article examines the experiences of young social and healthcare trainees, and waiters’ trainees with microaggressions during their training. The empirical basis consists of 17 in-depth interviews with waiters, social and healthcare assistants, and social and health care helper students. Sue and Spanierman’s theory of microaggressions is used to examine microaggressions related to the categories “young” and “VET-student”, while Butler and Bourdieu’s theories are used to understand how the categories “young” and “VET-student” are performed. The analysis indicates that a lack of professionalism, ignorance, and know-it-all attitude are linked to the categories “young” and “VET-student”. There is also an assumption of these trainees as a kind of second-class employees. The purpose of the article is to contribute to understanding the assumptions made about young trainees, across professions and industries, regardless of whether the individual young trainee finds the assumptions degrading.