Caroline Lucas: 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.

CL

Caroline Lucas

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

A holiday job as a chambermaid at the Scratchwood Travelodge on the M1. The state some people leave their rooms in was a revelation.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 20 April 2024 source ↗

Others on this question

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Kiefer Sutherland British and Canadian actor

I’ve been lucky enough to act for 35 years. The only other job I had was as a cook at a drive-in restaurant, and I enjoyed that as well.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 23 September 2017 source ↗

Michael Flatley American step dancer

Digging foundations in the freezing-cold Chicago winters.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 10 August 2024 source ↗

Double-glazing sales when I was about 16 – on the phone, cold calling. Horrendous.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 12 July 2025 source ↗

A movie. Does it have a name? It might do.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 23 May 2026 source ↗

More from Caroline Lucas

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Question What disappointment has stayed with you longest? Failure & regret

Not to have been joined by more Green MPs … yet.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 20 April 2024 source ↗

Question Who deserves an apology from you, and for what? Failure & regret

Today’s children and young people – we’ve let them down by not doing more to prevent the nature and climate crisis, and left them such a huge responsibility.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 20 April 2024 source ↗

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

Picnicking on the Downs with my family and dog – birds singing, sea sparkling, and mobile switched very firmly off.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 20 April 2024 source ↗

Question Which trait in yourself do you like least? Identity & self

I very often set my heart on things – and if they don’t happen, I’m not great at dealing with disappointment.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 20 April 2024 source ↗

Question How would you want people to remember you? Death & what remains

For making a difference.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 20 April 2024 source ↗

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

Jacinda Ardern, the former New Zealand prime minister – for embodying a different, more compassionate politics.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 20 April 2024 source ↗

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