An examination of the concept of a 'work ethic' as defined by Beder.

The concept of work is one that we are all familiar with. Whether we are employed ourselves, or rely on the employment of others to sustain us, we are all aware of the necessity of work. What is not so clear is what our attitude to this work is. Some academics, such as Beder (2000) claim that a 'work ethic' exists, whereby work acquires a moral dimension and becomes the defining characteristic of human existence. However, …

…Cass, London. Kumar. in Thompson (1984). Work, Employment and Unemployment, Milton Keynes: Open University Press. Mills,C.W. (1951). White Collar, Oxford University Press, New York. Moorhouse,H.E. in Thompson (1984). Work, Employment and Unemployment, Milton Keynes: Open University Press. Pahl,R. (1984). Divisions Of Labour, Oxford: Blackwell. Rose,M. (1984). Re-working the Work Ethic, London: Batsford. Thompson,K. (1984). Work, Employment and Unemployment, Milton Keynes: Open University Press. Whyte,W.H. (1956). The Organization Man, New York: Simon and Schuster.