Why do we use "for" and "at" differently in referring to our jobs?

Question

I was thinking about this today: It seems that when we work for big or prestigious companies we use

"I work for JP MORGAN"

and when it is a lower class job we use

"I work at 7-11"

You rarely hear people use "at" if they work someplace desireable, and similarly you don't hear people use "for" in reference to less retutable ones.

Think about it:

You wouldn't say "I work at Merrill Lynch" instead we are more inclined to say "i work for Merrill Lynch"

Likewise, you don't really hear people say "i work for McDonalds" instead they say "I work at McDonalds".

Just kind of a weird thing about the English Language that got me wondering.

Any thoughts on why the discrepancy in the usage of "for and "at"?

(P.S. I'm not saying anything here about people in lower class jobs, a job is a job as far as i am concerned, it doesn't matter where it is, if it helps you make ends meet, power to you!)

Answer 1

Maybe it's not high or low class jobs, but big or small companies.  For example, everyone knows what McDonalds is, and the higher ups of McDonalds are on a completely different level than you, therefore, you don't feel like you are working FOR mcdonalds, because you're just working at one of there small, insignificant franchises.  You're working AT a McDonalds.

Whereas, my mom would say she works FOR Fairfield Industries, because this company is not so well known and she's an important unit in the company.

Also, maybe it's when there are multiple places of a company in the same state, you say at.  Like I work at a Macys.  I work at a Burger King.  But a company like Fairfield (an oil and gas company) where there's only one building in the state, like those skyscrapers downtown, you say FOR.  Cuase it's a more private business.

Just some thoughts.

Answer 2

I like this question, it made me think.

.  Working "at" a store is less of a personal relationship - the stated relationship is with a brick and mortar location, not with individuals.  Maybe you're less invested - you work "for" a paycheck, but you work "at" the store. It's also more local, implying that you're not involved in the larger picture for the organization beyond your worksite.