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When the working day is through: the end of work as identity?

Author

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  • Michael Doherty

    (Dublin City University, Michael.doherty@dcu.ie)

Abstract

This article seeks to present a counter-case to the `end of work thesis' advocated by writers such as Beck et al. It argues that work remains a significant locus of personal identity and that the depiction by these writers of endemic insecurity in the workplace is inaccurate and lacks empirical basis. The article draws upon case study data to illustrate how, across a range of workplaces, work remains an importance source of identity, meaning and social affiliation.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael Doherty, 2009. "When the working day is through: the end of work as identity?," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 23(1), pages 84-101, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:sae:woemps:v:23:y:2009:i:1:p:84-101
    DOI: 10.1177/0950017008099779
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Duncan Gallie & Alan Felstead & Francis Green, 2004. "Changing Patterns of Task Discretion in Britain," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 18(2), pages 243-266, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Preoteasa Ana Maria D. & Sieber Rebekka & Budowski Monica & Suter Christian, 2016. "Household Role in Coping with Precarious Work. Evidence from Qualitative Research in Urban Romania and Switzerland," Social Change Review, Sciendo, vol. 14(2), pages 177-201, December.
    2. Karel Musílek & Kimberly Jamie & Linda McKie, 2020. "Cold Winds and Warm Attachments: Interrogating the Personal Attachment to Neoliberal Work and Economy," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 34(3), pages 514-525, June.
    3. Kozica, Arjan & Kaiser, Stephan, 2012. "A Sustainability Perspective on Flexible HRM: How to Cope with Paradoxes of Contingent Work," management revue - Socio-Economic Studies, Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG, vol. 23(3), pages 239-261.
    4. Ruth Yeoman, 2014. "Conceptualising Meaningful Work as a Fundamental Human Need," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 125(2), pages 235-251, December.
    5. Graeme Currie & Charlotte Croft, 2015. "Examining hybrid nurse managers as a case of identity transition in healthcare: developing a balanced research agenda," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 29(5), pages 855-865, October.
    6. Jana Mäcken, 2019. "Work stress among older employees in Germany: Effects on health and retirement age," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(2), pages 1-13, February.

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