Die mens en werk: 'n Sosiologiese beskouing / Man and work: A sociological perspective

Abstract

Man's involvement in work has changed over the ages. Work was originally viewed as punishment. The Protestant work ethic and, to a lesser extent, rapid technological growth and industrialization have lead however, in the course of time, to a new meaning being attached to work. A situation has developed where workers attach an intrinsic value to work as opposed to a mainly extrinsic value previously attached thereto. The fast-growing technology and accompanying industrialization have also lead to a negative effect upon the work situation, namely, alienation. Alienation refers to the feeling a worker experiences when he no longer feels himself involved in his work situation. Various assumptions exist with regard to man in his work situation. These assumptions determine an organization's treatment and evaluation of the worker. At the same time the worker's views of his work have also changed. The contemporary worker no longer regards himself as being attached to a single organization or even a specific career. These views of workers can be attributed to changed work values.