Hidden Rules of Class at Work

by Ruby K. Payne, Don L. Krabill

Hidden Rules of Class at Work takes a look at how economic class influences - often subtly yet significantly - behaviors that show up in the workplace and an understanding of how the levels of an organization reflect the hidden rules of class. Written for people who supervise others, the book provides tools to identify an individual's strengths and weaknesses by looking at his/her resources and an understanding of how economic class influences opportunities to develop resources. It is based on a research study by the authors on the correlation between an individual's resources and his/her promotion and success in the workplace. Each chapter gives the correlates and provides some practical answers as to how to use the information. More eye-opening learning from aha! Process. Inc.

Genres: Nonfiction, Business, Poverty, Social Justice, Economics, Psychology, Sociology

185 pages, Paperback

First published August 14, 2002

About the author

Ruby K. Payne is an American educator and author best known for her book A Framework for Understanding Poverty and her work on the culture of poverty and its relation to education. Payne received an undergraduate degree from Goshen College in 1972. She holds a Ph.D. in educational leadership and policy studies from Loyola University in Illinois, and is the founder of aha! Process, Inc., a company that informs schools, companies and other organizations about poverty.

Reviews

[Jessi · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you are looking for a wide-ranging and grounded study and well-written book with real-life examples, this is not going to be the book. The authors aren't transparent about their research methodology, they often refer to studies but don't cite authors or provide footnotes, and the case studies provided skew narrowly toward traditional corporations, traditional personal relationships, and people working in urban, large corporations. Spirituality is acknowledged as a resource people need but the only examples given are Christianity.
There is useful material in this book (i.e. that there are unseen variables outside of work accomplished and work ethic that will, unfortunately, cause people not to get promotions in the workplace) but most of it (the book was originally written in 2002 and revised in 2016) did not age well.

[Summer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I sought this out because I love Ruby Payne. I was enjoying this book until it mentioned John Molloy's 1975 book "Dress for Success". Then I was like... wait... how old is this book? Haha, o my goodness, this is a 20 year old book! So please don't read it until they come up with a new edition. It all SEEMED perfectly fine to me but I just know it can't ALL be current. My goodness, people used typewriters at work when this was published.

I think Payne's content is still valid but when we talk about 20 year intervals of social science, I really think we need to replicate studies.

[Jamie Pennington · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have read Bridges Out of Poverty by Ruby Payne and it was an extremely good and eye opening book. I was Expecting and hoping more of the same with this book.

But I am indeed in a different place now and this book fell flat. I wound the book to be very stereotypical and boarder-line offensive even. Let’s just say the book has not aged well.

[Doug · Rating 1 out of 5]

Poorly written. The book disguises race with class. The author ignores rural poverty and focuses on urban poverty. Most of the "research" is based on stereotypes.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Information for employees and supervisors on social class and how it impacts the workplace

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

My mother who has been in education for over 30 years introduced me to Ruby Payne. Her work is very interesting and written in any easy to read easy to understand manner. I strongly recommend these books to anyone not just educators or public admin. They books give you better understanding of just how much socioeconomics plays a roll in who we are, how we present ourselves, and the way we perceive the world

[Elyse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Plz read comment re Dr. Payne's book, "A Framework for Understanding Poverty."

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok. Information was pretty much what I expected and nothing really grabbed me or created any ah ha moments. Case studies were interesting. Quick read.

[Shelby · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty over simplified, basic information. It was the only book our library system has by Payne. I still want to read her other works, looks like amazon it is.

[Julie Euber]

NPFY

[Allison]

Very interesting, if simple, analysis of how class functions silently in our lives.