Toward a redefinition of work

Abstract

In the past, work carried connotations of obligatory task, and anything not considered as such was associated with play, amusement, or leisure. As Browm (1954) notes, the orthodox viewpoint accepted the opinion of the Old Testament that physical labor is a curse imposed on man as punishment for his sins, and that the prudent person works solely to sustain the life of their family and themselves, or, if fortunate, to accumulate enough resources to engage in activities they truly enjoy. Improvements in working conditions could somewhat alleviate the worker’s natural discomfort and also help maintain a physical state that allowed greater efficiency in the mechanistic sense proposed by Taylor.

The emergence of industrial psychology partially altered some of these aspects, recognizing that senior managers and professionals could derive satisfaction from their work, and that social relationships within the workplace could serve as an additional incentive for the majority of employees.