The Lived Experience of Waiting and Delay, 2018-2019

Waiting is a pervasive feature of life in organisations, yet little prior research has focused on the lived experience of waiting from the perspective of the employee. The present study aims to rectify this omission by tracking in depth the varied waiting experiences of 33 diverse individuals in three occupational settings via a multi-method approach involving participant-led photography and photo-elicitation interviews. The research provides insights into the 'qualities and textures' of waiting, employee agency during waiting experiences, and the spatial and material contours of the waits. This may include ‘micro-waiting’, short-term, long-term, or indeterminate waiting. This study contributes to knowledge of the temporal experience of work, and sheds light on a previously hidden aspect of employee attitudes and experiences. The dataset comprises 33 semi-structured interviews with ceramic artists, office workers and hairdressers, and 371 photographs taken by participants.