The body becomes accustomed to everything. Accustoming and resignation in women night shift workers.

Abstract

Working conditions in the current neoliberal model are characterized by productive and consumer flexibility processes, which has led to an increase in night shifts, producing adverse effects on workers' subjectivities, particularly on their bodies and emotions. This article analyses the case of women night shift workers in the industrial zone of Huejotzingo, Puebla, Mexico, for whom working hours create problems in their social life. The categories of “accustoming” and “resignation” have been used to analyze the social support mechanisms that allow the workers to cope with the working conditions. The research methodology employed was qualitative, utilizing semi-structured interviews. The findings indicate that the women workers have developed accustoming and resignation to manage their bodies and emotions to endure the paid and unpaid workdays and the general conditions of labor precariousness. It can be concluded that the women workers have become accustomed and resigned to the conditions of night work, but they continue to seek improved living conditions.