Work: A Very Short Introduction

The image of a job captures our imagination from an early age, usually prompted by the question 'What do you want to be when you grow up?'. Work - paid, unpaid, voluntary, or obligatory - is woven into the fabric of all human societies. For many of us, it becomes part of our identity. For others it is a tedious necessity. Living is problematic without paid work, and for many it is catastrophic. Steve Fineman tells the fascinating story of work - how we strive for security, reward, and often, meaning. Looking at how we classify 'work'; the cultural and social factors that influence the way we work; the ethics of certain types of work; and the factors that will affect the future of work, from globalization to technology, this Very Short Introduction considers work as a concept and as a practical experience, drawing upon ideas from psychology, sociology, management, and social history. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable. Steve Fineman tells the fascinating story of work - how we strive for security, reward, and often, meaning This looks like yet another interesting addition to Oxford's fabulous VSI series Grrlscientist, the guardian This book is a great read and has made me think deeper into the values I associate with work and human value. Arthur Zetes, tiredoframen.wordpress.comPreface ; 1. Why work? ; 2. A spectrum of jobs ; 3. Working a career ; 4. Men's work, women's work ; 5. Struggling, surviving, thriving ; 6. Emotion at work ; 7. Virtual work ; 8. Changes and transitions ; 9. Where does this leave work? A brief postscript ; References and further reading