From Heroes to Villains: Are Bankers Our New Dirty Workers?

Research and recent media would indicate that the public perception of the banking industryhas changed significantly over the previous decade. This would largely be in tandem with theprogression of many global economies from high levels of economic growth to currentlyexperiencing severe financial difficulties. Consequently, this paper examines the effects ofthe financial crisis on individuals who are currently employed within the Irish bankingindustry. It seeks to explain and provide a rationale for the degree of public condemnationwhich has become associated with this industry. Principally, however, this paper will addressthe more personal consequences of such public odium on bank officials themselves, and alsoexamine how such individuals have learned to cope with engaging with their stigmatisedprofessional lives.At present bank officials (regardless of their hierarchical position) have had similar experiences to that of the dirty worker, and are being widely regarded by the public in a similar vein. Accordingly, this would beg the question: 'Are Bankers Our New Dirty Workers?'