Erin Doherty: What is the worst job you have ever had? — FLAPSS

The question

What is the worst job you have ever had?

Originally asked

The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A

The Guardian's long-running Q&A repeatedly asks this standing question, with minor tense variation.

You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.

ED

Erin Doherty

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

I was the PE technician at my old secondary school, so I had to pump up all the balls, wash all the kits and get the form notes in before morning registration every day.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 29 March 2025 source ↗

Others on this question

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Michelle Collins

Working in McDonald’s when I was 16. It was about 90p an hour. Because I was always late, they made me “trash walk” the length of Kentish Town high street and pick up the McDonald’s rubbish.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 27 April 2024 source ↗

Chiwetel Ejiofor English actor

At King’s College hospital when I was 16; the job was putting hundreds of pieces of A4 paper into A4 transparent envelopes. I lasted one day.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 19 October 2024 source ↗

Corinne Bailey Rae

I worked in a cafe, which I loved, but when it was quiet we had to scrape the fat out from between the tiles on the floor with a butter knife.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 23 September 2023 source ↗

Kathy Lette Australian-British author

Bedpan emptier in a hospital.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 June 2024 source ↗

More from Erin Doherty

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Question As a child, what career or life did you imagine for yourself? Identity & self

Sounds cliched, but I always wanted to be an actor.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 29 March 2025 source ↗

Question Who alive today do you admire most, and what draws you to them? Values & belief

My sister. She is the most loving, positive and generous person I know.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 29 March 2025 source ↗

Question How would you sum yourself up in three words? Identity & self

The three things I strive for are authenticity, presence and empathy. You’d have to ask my loved ones if I’m pulling them off.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 29 March 2025 source ↗

Question What period or moment in your life brought you the most joy? Time & hindsight

Mornings. Playing music, fresh coffee, dippy eggs and soldiers, my girlfriend – what’s not to love?

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 29 March 2025 source ↗

Question What do you fear most? Identity & self

Regrets. That’s no way to live.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 29 March 2025 source ↗

Question What most recently moved you to tears? Identity & self

Oh when was the last time I didn’t?! I’m a crier. I cry. All the time.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 29 March 2025 source ↗

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