WP2 RD — Meaning of Work
How has the pandemic affected the meaning of work? Has the pandemic created an upward trend in choosing “meaningful” pathways of work?
COVID-19 emerged at a time when many people were working day in, day out, life passing by at an ever increasing rate. Suddenly everyone was forced to just pause, take a breath and take care of their health for themselves and those around them. This blip in our regular lives caused a lot of changes, especially with daily lives around work. Although some say that the pandemic forced people to stay in jobs due to the increased financial instability, there were still many people who chose to resign from their jobs. As people enter the workforce, I argue that newer generations will continue to choose work paths that they find more valuable or important because of the increased time for reflection during quarantine and the goal to truly enjoy their careers.
In a time of great job insecurity, many people were still willing to risk it all. Being able to reflect on their lives, their values, and what changes they need to make caused a big shift in how and where they chose to work. As Joanne Lipman points out in her article, “the pandemic has masked a deep unhappiness that a startling number of Americans have with the — workplace” which led to “people [who] are not just abandoning jobs but switching professions,” (Lipman 2021). Lipman explains how through people’s exploration of what made them unhappy, there was a greater connection between unsatisfying or unfulfilling work that negatively impacted their lives. People may have felt this was their opportunity to turn around their lives through a drastic work change. I believe that it is important to realize how people value being able to choose their passions over something stable because work is something that happens almost every day. If it is something we aren’t passionate about, how can we continue to do that for the majority of our lives?
If people are starting to leave their old , what do they decide to go towards instead? Do they just choose something that’s opposite of what they already know, looking for something new? For many they want to choose more “meaningful” work. But what does that really mean? Some people chose something that they are passionate about, turning hobbies into businesses, and pursuing left behind dreams. Others are choosing work that is more fulfilling to others, where they can truly see an impact from their actions. Richard Alderson, the founder of Careershifts claims that the changes from COVID towards work have caused people to “want to do more things in their longer working lives” (Barua 2021). Instead of work making up our lives, there has been a mindset shift to work so we can live. It is time for us to enjoy our lives through a passionate form of work rather than resorting to the bare minimum.
What about the people who chose to stay in their jobs? Not everyone had the choice to simply leave their job after wanting something better. Meehika Barua states in her article that “There are some people that are now staying in their current roles due to fear of the job market as a result of the pandemic” (Barua 2021). Due to the instability of the times from the pandemic and changes in the economy, some would prefer to maintain jobs they have to avoid the fear and uncertainty of not having one at all. There are two paths people can take in this situation: one well-known and the other a novelty. Despite the goal of security for many, Barua counters that “there are more people taking stock of their lives and re-evaluating what truly matters and want to find work they love” in comparison to people who kept their previous jobs (Barua 2021). This seems like an unlikely occurrence given what we know about humans, but it is a finding that confirms the suspicion that the amount of people who keep their jobs is on the decline and new fulfilling jobs are increasing.
Some may argue that there were people who were not given either choice and should be considered in this argument too. I agree that it was very unfortunate the number of people who unfortunately lost their jobs at the start of the pandemic. Being forced into an unwelcome and startling situation was surely very jarring for those who had to experience this loss. But where there is loss, there can also be opportunity. An end brings about a new beginning as I’m sure the sayings go. With this newfound time on their hands and the search for a job to replace the one lost, workers were able to reflect and re-evaluate their careers. What about this job did they value? What could they look for in a new employer and job? What were they missing before that they would like to now have? This has started to put the idea of work into the employees hands, giving them the chance to look for things they want based on their personal needs.
Because of the traditional system of work, many people have grown tired of the same day in day out routine and feel that they lack something in their workplace. Now more than ever, workers are starting to realize that they can ask for things from their employers to ensure a better working environment and quality of life. Health is one factor that has started to influence workers. After encountering a virus that spreads so quickly, some workers “who do not want to risk work that compromises their health — particularly older workers — are seeking new careers that will permit them to work remotely” (Barua 2021). After industries switched to being mainly online or remote for some time, many have realized that the benefits go far beyond just better physical health. There is the ability to avoid commuting, work in a personalized environment, and avoid certain workplace distractions, while also being introduced to a whole new set of distractions and changes. Working from home is just one benefit that some people are continuing to ask for to be a permanent part of their workplace.
How permanent is this idea of working for something we find meaningful? Is it just a trend that will fade due to the circumstances and forces at play? I argue that this is an idea that will last for upcoming generations. By seeing how work can be something we are passionate about or find a greater meaning in, it can help people become better workers in their fields. Rather than resorting to something we are good at, we are now able to put our full effort and care into our work, leading to much happier and fulfilling lives. This can cause us to start loving work rather than finding it to be a chore, necessary to live in this capitalistic society. Rather than shaping our lives around work, it is time to start considering them as a unit. When we work for something we love, then work becomes a bigger and better part of our lives.
