Work stories

Abstract

In 2006, the New Zealand Police launched its now long-running recruitment campaign based on the slogan ‘Better Work Stories’, and many might have wondered what duties of confidentiality should constrain officers when talking about what happens to them at work.* But we must acknowledge that talking to our partners and friends about significant events has undeniable value, because storytelling is a central part of human life, connecting us to others and revealing us to ourselves. However, when these events occur in professional life, this very natural aspect of life is curtailed by obligations of confidentiality. The aim in what follows is to raise some questions about work stories and to explore one argument for allowing them, under certain circumstances, and with certain limitations.