Metaphors & Culture-Part 1(Domination Metaphor)

In Metaphors and Culture the term "domination metaphor" was discussed in regards to "employee exploitation, damaging employees' health and intruding on their personal lives." The domination metaphor demonstrates how employers take advantage of their employees because they have more power and authority over the employee group. For example, agricultural labor workers have often been mistreated and taken advantage of while employed seasonally by farmers and larger corporate agricultural industries. The work place abuses that occurs are working people beyond the allowed hours, not providing safety equipment or precautionary education on chemicals and fertilizer dangers, bathroom facilities, or health care coverage. Additionally, many of the farm laborers rely on housing while working for the fields seasonally. The farm labor housing is often poorly equipped, with minimal needs and adequate shelter being met. Many of the "labor camps" are on or near the farms where the employees work and employees have the ability to check on their employees any time. Most farm workers do not mention anything about negative treatment by their employee because it is the only income they have. Many of the workers are providing for their family in the U.S. and in Mexico, and most need the steady income to survive. Additionally, farm labor work takes skill and speed. Most farmers will not hire someone who doesn't have experience because they want skill and productivity. Therefore, a laborer does not want to lose their job because it is difficult to find new work without the "word of mouth" connections that may have to rely on from another reputable laborer.

Equally, the farmer or corporation involved makes decisions based on the belief that the laborers will not report them for what they may consider small infractions towards the laborers. Therefore, their decisions and policies are made on profit, not treatment of their employees. This example does not apply to all Farmers and farm laborers, but there have been cases of employee mistreatment in the Watsonville area.