Looking the Part Embodying the Discourse of Organizational Professionalism in the City

Recent theoretical developments in the sociology of professions reveal how a ubiquitous discourse of professionalism can represent a basis for occupational control that centres on expectations of performance and conformity. Few studies, however, explore how such a discourse is manifest within the workplace and embodied within individual practice and identity. Taking 'city professionals' as its focus, this article investigates the relationship between a discourse of professionalism and the creation of a 'professional body' within the context of the city workplace. The study focuses on 'city workers' based within the corporate institutions of London and Manchester, to show that the 'management' and 'representation' of a particular body image, developed through a commitment to health and fitness practices, can be used to symbolize the discursive ideals of competitiveness, motivation, profitability, success and, ultimately, professionalism. The study argues that this commitment to health and fitness practices illustrates a degree of conformity to a prevailing discourse of professionalism found within and across city-based workplaces, which further indicates a form of occupational control within the workplace.