If you say so…
Ethics usually refers to moral philosophy, but it can be used more broadly for any set of principles or virtues. It’s similar to how you can explain the “philosophy” behind a decision. Saying someone has a good work ethic basically just means they are disciplined at something. It may not be referring to their actual occupation at all. I think this is more of language naturally evolving than propaganda to exploit the working class further.
Work ethic is the belief that hard work instills virtues like diligence, discipline, and honesty. An example would be giving a kid chores to do believing it will help them develop a good character. Protestants even taught it as a core part of their religion. It’s not the idea that you should make your boss rich. However, while capitalists didn’t invent the idea, they have certainly benefited from it.
Both are true:
You are describing what the term was created to mean.
But language evolves, and in our modern society what the post is describing is how capitalism has perverted it. And unfortunately the perverted version has overtaken the original meaning.
Yeah I’m thinking of it in similar terms. I expect people who work for me to prioritize their health and family over work but also their work over binge drinking, gaming until 5AM, etc. (you get the gist)
I’ve always hated the term work ethic.
I don’t think we need a new term. Just use the one capitalist came up with, think like a business. That means you do as little as necessary, always complain about how hard your work is and whenever there’s a chance to get a raise you take it. Also be constantly looking for a new job in case they’re willing to pay you more.
do as little as necessary, always complain about how hard your work is
That getting you any raises or later employment gains? From my work experience, Gen Z is mostly dropping the ball on work ethics and thinks they’re fighting “the man”. The young guys I worked with at Lowe’s were almost universally looked down on because lazy. Think anyone rushed to their aid when they needed help? People would jump if I called for help. Worked my ass off and they fired the lazy guy who had the position I wanted, and I got it. This took a whopping 4-months. This post is a perfect example of what I’m talking about.
Yes, treat employment like a business, your own business. Work hard, gain skills, move on. You have to do the first two steps to get to the third. There’s this confusion as to “owing” the business anything. You may or may not depending on circumstances (probably not) but you sure as hell owe yourself something.
Had a friend that moved here with me, started as an oil change tech, well below his resume. He was changing jobs every time we talked and worked his way to a 6-digit salary in 8 years. Guess he’s happy, seems to have stayed on for several years now.
You don’t need that many pens Stacy. Leave some for the rest of us to steal.
This is why I call my job title ‘Wealth Redistribution Specialist’. My only interest is makong the companies wealth my personal wealth
My old joke at work was…“I don’t care if they fire me, I’ve stolen enough pens that I can start an industry!”. It was how I coped.
Economics used to be closely tied to ethics. All economics programs at universities featured a lot of mandatory ethics classes.
Then they removed the ethics part.
She took 800 pens. That’s as many as four two hundreds.
It’s also at least four two hundreds.
And that’s terrible.
I’ve believed the ‘work ethic’ to be a scam since I was a teenager in the eighties, and have always been looked down on for it. Nice to see the rest of you coming around.
We’re the same age. Having a work ethic is about you, not the business.
I’ve always subscribed to what I call the Hawkeye Pierce Theory of Work, my hero. I work my ass off, cover people, do all I can. Then when I massively fuck up, or I need help, or anything really, I catch that slack. Hell, boss before last bailed me out of jail. :) At my last job I barely dodged COVID layoffs.
“the rest of us”? lemmings don’t go outside, the people you knew as as teenager aren’t here.
I am!
Not going outside seems pretty anti-work ethic to me.
To me that doesn’t seem hilarious at all - more like tragic.
My sib takes ALL the bar towels from their shitty job.
