On the Meaning of Work
What in today's world is a worker? Do you see yourself as a "worker"? I ask because the theme of the 2023 Academy of Management meetings is "Putting the Worker Front and Center."
How we see ourselves often informs how we see others. If you do not see yourself as a worker, how is it possible to put workers, in general, front and center?
Please share your thoughts in the comments.
Here is my quick thought.
I'm a worker, have always been a worker, and even in some future retirement will still be a worker.
I enjoy "rolling up my sleeves" and getting ..it done. I don't ask people to do things I wouldn't do myself. I like pitching in to help others do things. I love hearing expressions of pride in stories people tell about their work.
I grieve when people lose work, especially when they thought they were doing what was needed and received no feedback to the contrary.
To me being a worker is a mindset that informs behaviors and attitudes, especially behaviors and attitudes towards others who work with you.
Does that mean I've never characterized someone as working for me (when I've been in the role of manager, leader or owner)? No. The "for" is used for circumstances when strong evidence of their self-interest at the expense of their co-workers begets remedial training and if necessary progressive discipline.
University of Vermont, Grossman School of Business
2 年What a great question. I’m not a worker, I’m Travis, who works. I’m not defined by my job, I don’t subscribe to hustle culture or productivity culture. My “work” can be the work of resting, or the work of my mental health. My reasons for work are personal, so if I work for/with you, treat me like a person…. And I will work hard for you.
Associate Professor at University of Vermont
2 年Worker is an interesting word, especially in other languages. In German there are the phrases "Arbeitgeber" (work giver) and "Arbeitnehmer" (work taker). While in "West German" the "work giver" is the emloyeer, in "East German" the "work giver" is the employee.