First off, we need to clarify the definition a good work. A good work is defined as an activity that allows the worker autonomy, dignity, and meaning. The product they offered is a good or service that is, or could be, socially useful. General speaking, good work can be easily understood as secure, stable and flexible, where individuals receive decent wages, with rooms for skill development and advancement.
As we can see, a work not necessarily a good work, not everyone can get a work which allow them autonomy, dignity, and meaning, at the same time, social useful. when it comes to the question that is it likely that most people will enjoy “good work” anytime soon? As far as I am concerned, the answer for this question is no, it is not likely the society can make most people enjoy “good work”. I will strengthen my argument in next few paragraphs.
At the first place, there are only some big companies can afford to create good jobs, like environment. These people who can get that good work and work in a more flexible work environment, do what they enjoy to do, they gained autonomy, dignity and meaning for their work, thus they can called the people who enjoy their “good work”. However, they are only a very small portion of workers in this society. Other most people are still “struggling” in their work. In a study recently conducted, less than half of the Canadian employees surveyed had high levels of satisfaction.
Secondly, bad bosses are another factor that makes you not enjoying your “good work”. We already discussed in week four’s lecture and tutorial that a bad boss may have unreasonable demand, establish arbitrary rules or steal other’s credit for good work and so on. Just image what would be like if you had a bad boss, will you still enjoy the “good work”?
Last but not least. The increasing amounts of stressful work and the higher standards of living in modern day society is taking away too much from family and community life. we frequently hear news about bad jobs, low pay and overwork. Even a person who get a secured, stable job, but if he don’t have time spend with his family and social activity, he won’t enjoy his “good job” either. Nowadays, women have to work 40 plus hours a week(full-time), and studies estimate that she have to do 25 to 45 hours extra at home. How can she enjoy her work when she actually don’t have time to spend with family, and other social activities? Furthermore, people are trying to pursue higher living standard life style, for it to happen, they are working in high stressed works, even take two or three jobs at once, it make them lack of autonomy.
In conclusion, taking all three factors discussed above into account, we may finally draw the conclusion that it is not quite possible that most people will enjoy”good work” anytime soon, but I believe, due to the advancement of the society, it will happen in future someday. |