What is the meaning of work?

We want to deliver workplace value on terms that suit our lifestyle. Picture: iStock

There has been a profound shift in the Australian way of life over the past 30 years. The way we live, form relationships, engage with technology, even the way we read the news has changed. And nowhere is this better evidenced than in how and why we work.

A lot has been said about the future of work. In the post-Covid world leaders will lead us, not bosses. We will be tech-forward. We will have greater control over how we deliver our workplace value – and from where we do it. It’s all very exciting and empowering. It has been enabled by a new kind of thinking coming out of the pandemic. We’re not interested in getting back to normal. It’s like the pandemic has given us permission to think creatively and boldly about how best to organise work and society.

Indeed, our collective thinking now seems to be that workplaces must be more flexible and inclusive. And in times of a skills shortage, particularly when the supply of younger workers is diminishing globally due to reduced fertility rates, what workers want cannot be ignored by employers.

It is within this context that I think there has been a shift in what workers expect from their workplaces. This movement had been gathering momentum prior to the pandemic but it is now in full swing. It is the search for meaning in work. People are now more likely to think about the big picture of their work. Does it make a positive contribution to humanity? Is it sustainable? Am I inspired by the business’s vision and purpose?

This is very different to the command-and-control management style of the late 20th century. In a world where a baby boom and large-scale immigration delivered ever deeper labour pools, businesses could (and did) set the workplace terms and agenda.

Now we have arrived at the start of a new post-pandemic era, having travelled through decades of prosperity, and are contemplating how we want to reorganise the world of work. Increasingly, we see value in working for organisations that make a difference. Or more to the point, we rail against working for an organisation that produces contentious products or services. In the post-pandemic era many workers will (rightly or wrongly) proceed with an application assuming that pay and conditions are likely to be broadly acceptable. But something many job candidates want in addition to the basics is “meaning” capital – a reassuring narrative based around the meaning of work.

Businesses are pitching themselves accordingly. Come work with us. We produce ethically sourced products. Our job is to help the community. We don’t have command and control bosses, we have team leaders. We will support your career development through a tailored training and leadership program. We have zero tolerance for anti-social behaviour from staff, suppliers and customers. Our workplaces are dynamic, stimulating places that will bring out the best of your latent talent. Plus we offer remote work from anywhere. And we’re a fun place to work. Jump on board!

This is very different to working in a city office or a suburban factory 9-5, never crossing (and being fearful of) the boss and always doing as you were told. We have largely moved past this kind of work, towards something that embraces notions of meaning, respect and freedom. We want to deliver workplace value on terms that suit our lifestyle. And while it’s easy to parody both the old and the new way of working, I know which of these worlds I’d rather work in.