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

Dublin City University, Michael.doherty{at}dcu.ie

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.

Key Words: flexibility • identity • insecurity • non-standard work

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Work, Employment & Society, Vol. 23, No. 1, 84-101 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/0950017008099779


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This Article Abstract Free Full Text (Free PDF) Free Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Doherty, M. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?