Work is a type of human activity that involves exerting physical or mental effort to accomplish a task. It is often considered to be an essential component of a person’s life and serves many functions, such as providing an income, fulfilling personal goals, or social inclusion.
The word “work” comes from the root word w
In physics, the term work is defined as the amount of energy transferred through a system when a force (F) acts along a displacement (d) over a time period (dt). The units of measurement for this quantity are typically those reserved for heat or energy content—for instance, the newton-metre and the erg. Occasionally, though, other units are employed—for instance, the foot-pound and the calorie.
A person’s work may vary depending on the nature of their job and their own personal motivations and goals. For example, some people like the intellectual challenge of work and may see it as a key part of their identity. Other individuals enjoy the sense of accomplishment that comes with successfully completing a challenging project, while others appreciate the stability of a consistent income or a steady schedule. The social connections and friendships that a person forms through their work are also an important aspect of many jobs, as is the ability to contribute to society in meaningful ways.
In addition, societies often rank different work roles according to their perceived status, with certain industries and career paths being viewed as more prestigious than others. This concept goes beyond clear progressions from apprentice to journeyman and master craftsman in the skilled trades, and encompasses a broader range of factors, such as how well-paid a role is or whether it is seen as dirty, dangerous, or demeaning.
While executives and thought leaders are occupied with rich discussions of the future of work, it often seems that few are asking the fundamental question: What should work really be? Retraining workers to do a slightly different version of the same routine tasks or moving standout employees into management positions doesn’t capture the true potential for work. Instead, redefining work should be about expanding its value for both companies and workers. It should focus on identifying opportunities and solutions for problems that have yet to emerge, rather than trying to replace the invisible labor of existing routine tasks with robots. This means cultivating and leveraging intrinsic human capabilities to undertake work for fundamentally different purposes. It will require a fundamental shift in the way that we think about the purpose of work and the types of human activities that create it.
