Views of Work

Overview

Work can be a controversial topic. People have many different ideas about work, particularly when it comes to the relationships involved. Who makes the most contribution to the work situation? Is it the employer who provides the job? Is it the employee who provides the labour and skill? Is it the financier who provides the money so that the work exists? Lots of questions. How do you feel about work? Do you feel that your contribution is important to the success of your organisation?

Let's look more closely at how people see work.

Although there is no single definition of work, there are several characteristics or ingredients that are often present in work situations.

Fair exchange

Many people believe that work should involve a positive give and take. They think there should be a fair exchange of values between the individual and the organisation. For example, if someone has a contract to construct a building in exchange for a specified sum of money, this should be fair. Someone who is employed in exchange for a salary should carry out the required tasks that they are employed and paid to do.

The idea of fair exchange implies that contributions (what a person puts in) and inducements (what a person receives in exchange for their input) should balance each other.

Contributions

A person offers contributions or valued work activities to the organisation. These contributions, such as effort, time, creativity, and loyalty, are what make the individual a desirable resource for the organisation.

Inducements

Inducements or rewards are things of value that the organisation gives to the individual in return for these contributions. Typical rewards include pay, fringe benefits, training, and opportunities for personal growth and advancement. Such rewards should be valued by employees and make it worthwhile for them to work hard for the organisation.

Not all work situations involve a fair exchange of values. Can you think of some situations where an employee is not getting fair pay for their work, or where an employer might be forced to pay more than is normal for services?

At present, many people feel that work relationships are biased in favour of employers. They feel that there is an imbalance in power and that employers benefit from this. In the 1970s and 1980s the reverse may have been true. Employees, through strong unions, may have had more power. What do you think?